And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave A sepulchral monument erected in memory of her; this according to Benjamin of Tudela
FOOTNOTES:
F5 was made of twelve stones, according to the number of the sons of Jacob, and over it was a vault or roof, supported by four pillars: that [is] the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day; it continued to the times of Moses, the writer of this history, and to the times of Samuel, as appears from ( 1 Samuel 10:2 ) ; and even travellers of late times affirm it to be seen still, to the north of Bethlehem, on the right hand of the way as you go from Bethlehem to Jerusalem; but the present sepulchral monument, as Mr. Maundrel says F6, can be none of that which Jacob erected, for it appears plainly to be a modern Turkish structure. Near the grave are found some little black stones, which strangers pick up, and are fancied to be helpful to women, to give them an easier birth, the same the above traveller says resemble peas. The Jews that pass by it were used to engrave their names on the stones, of the pillars F7. F5 ltinerar. p. 47. F6 Journey from Aleppo p. 87. F7 Benjamin. Itinerar. ib. Adrichom. Theatrum Terrae Sanct. p. 19. Bunting's Travels, p. 75.
18
It came about as her soul was departing (for she died ), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.
19
So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem ).
20
Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.
21
Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.
22
It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now there were twelve sons of Jacob -