Rebeca

Rebeca is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Rebecca. Like Sarah, Rachel and Leah, Rebecca is a prominent matriarchal figure from the Bible – the grandmother of the future tribes of Israel – and thus a favorite name among Jewish people. The etymology of the name is debated, although we do know it’s Hebrew in origin. The Hebrew name “Rivka” possibly means “to snare, bind, trap” but it is also said to mean “captivating” (we like the latter meaning best). Some etymologists believe the name is of Aramaic origin (an ancestral language of Arabic) meaning “soil, earth” but this supposition is not widely accepted. Perhaps it will be helpful to understand Rebeca’s story in the Old Testament. In Genesis, we are told that Abraham does not want his son Isaac to marry a local Canaanite woman so he sends his servant to find a wife in his own ancestral land of Haran in upper Mesopotamia. The servant is skeptical at the prospect of success, doubtful that a woman will follow him back to Canaan, but Abraham assures him God will assist in this task - however, if the woman does not follow the servant back of her own accord, then Abraham absolves him of all responsibility (at which point we’re sure the servant sighs a proverbial “phew!”). Upon arrival in the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia, the servant beholds Rebeca: “The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known.” [Genesis 24:16]. That’s Biblical-speak for virgin. Rebeca graciously offers the servant water for himself and his camels, thus fulfilling his prayer to the Lord that she must be “the one”. After negotiations with her family and the offering of gifts, it comes down to Rebeca’s decision to follow the servant back to Canaan to marry Isaac. Her words are simple: “I will go.” So she’s not exactly “snared and trapped” as one of the name’s etymological origins might suggest; quite the contrary. The name’s other possible meaning (i.e., “captivating”) makes more sense for this beautiful, compassionate and kind young maiden. As the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob, Rebecca has always been a celebrated name among the Jews; however, it’s been used by Christians in the English speaking world since the 14th century. The name’s popularity grew during the Reformation and the Puritans picked it up in the 17th century and would eventually bring the name to America. Rebeca with one “c” is the way the Spanish and Portuguese spell it.