My name is Rebekah, and someone told my mom the name means Bound to the Lord! I have loved that meaning and hope you love it too!
― Anonymous User 8/1/2017
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Here is additional information. Some people mistakenly think that "Rebekah" is the older Biblical spelling of the name, but that is not the case. "Rebecca" is the older of the two spellings. The ancient Latin Vulgate (compiled in the 4th Century A.D.) was the version of the Bible used within the church for centuries. The Latin Vulgate uses the spelling "Rebecca" exclusively. Centuries later, when the Bible was translated into English in the 1600s (King James Version), the spelling "Rebekah" was used in the Old Testament, but "Rebecca" was used in the New Testament (see Romans 9:10). So, the older Biblical spelling is "Rebecca," but both spellings are in the original English Bible. Here is a link to view the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible (alongside an English translation). On the page, verse Genesis 49:31 is shown. You can see for yourself that the older spelling is "Rebecca." http://www.latinvulgate.com/verse.aspx?t=0&b=1&c=49
Regarding the usage and spelling of "Rebecca" vs. "Rebekah," there are some common misunderstandings. Some people have said that the spelling "Rebekah" is the Biblical spelling and that "Rebecca" is a modern spelling. However, BOTH spellings are in the Bible. In the Old Testament (Genesis), the English translators spelled Isaac's wife as "Rebekah," and in the New Testament (see Romans 9:10), her name is spelled "Rebecca" (even in the original King James version). So both spellings are in the Bible. In America, the name (usually spelled "Rebecca") was fairly common among the Pilgrims from England and their descendants in the 1600s and 1700s. To clarify: The spellings "Rebekah" and "Rebecca" BOTH go all the way back to the original English Bible.
I'm pretty sure the Biblical version I've always seen is Rebekah, but the original form of THAT I believe is Rivka.
― Anonymous User 4/1/2007
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One of the possible meanings of this name is captivating or enchanting.
― Anonymous User 11/2/2006
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Actually, Rebecca was derived from Rebekah; not the other way around as commonly believed. Rebekah was Isaac's wife in the King James version of the bible. She was found standing at a well, and was the first woman seen by a member of Isaac's family, who was searching for a wife for him.
If you want to use the older Biblical spelling of the name, you will want to use "REBECCA" (not "Rebekah"). The spelling "REBECCA" was used in the ancient Latin Vulgate (Bible) from the 4th Century A.D. (Of course, Rebecca is also used in the New Testament of the King James Bible, Romans 9:10.)