Definition: And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 35:19. It’s a really important part of a story about Jacob’s family and a very difficult situation. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jacob is struggling with his brother Esau. Jacob is feeling left out and resentful, and he wants to get ahead of his brother. He makes a deal with God. To get Esau’s favor – which is important for Jacob's future – Jacob asks God to bring him a son. God answers with Leah and Rachel. God gives Jacob two daughters, Leah and Rachel. Rachel dies: However, Rachel dies giving birth to Joseph. Jacob's Journey: After Rachel’s death, Jacob embarks on a long journey to Bethlehem, the city of his Hebrew ancestors, with his family. Now, let's look at Verse 19: "And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem." “Rachel died” : This means that Rachel passed away. It’s a sad moment for Jacob. “Buried in the way to Ephrath” : This is the key part. Ephrath is a very important place – it's a city near Jerusalem, and it was a significant location for the Israelites (and later, for the Jewish people). It’s the place where Joseph was born. So, Rachel died in the town where her birth was recorded. “Which [is] Bethlehem” : This is a bit tricky. "Which" refers to the city of Bethlehem. It means that Bethlehem was the location where Rachel's burial took place. What does this all mean? It’s a very sad and symbolic story. Rachel’s death is a major loss for Jacob, and it’s linked to the fact that Joseph was born in Bethlehem. It suggests a deep connection between Rachel and the land of her ancestors – a place of importance and history. In short: Jacob's journey is complicated because he lost his wife, Rachel, and she died in the town where she was born. The verse tells us that she's buried in Bethlehem, which is the city where her birth happened. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this passage further? Connect it to other parts of the Bible? Give you a more detailed explanation of why this story is significant?