Genesis 35 · a question people ask
Where exactly was Rachel buried?
Genesis says she "was buried on the way to Ephrath (also called Bethlehem)" (35:19), when "there was still some distance to come to Ephrath" (35:16; also 48:7). 1 Samuel mentions "Rachel’s tomb, on the border of Benjamin at Zelzah" (1 Samuel 10:2). Brown-Driver-Briggs lists Ephrath both as a "place near Bethel, where Rachel died & was buried" and as "a name of Bethlehem". Some readers place the grave near Bethlehem, following "also called Bethlehem" (35:19); others place it farther north, following 1 Samuel 10:2. The Bible doesn't give the exact spot.
The verses
“They traveled from Bethel. There was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and Rachel travailed. She had hard labor.”
“Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath (also called Bethlehem).”
“As for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (also called Bethlehem).””
“When you have departed from me today, then you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb, on the border of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will tell you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for have been found; and behold, your father has stopped caring about the donkeys and is anxious for you, saying, “What shall I do for my son?”’”