Who was Joseph's mother?

Rachel, Joseph's mother, holds a fascinating place in the tapestry of the Biblical narrative. She is one of the matriarchs of Israel, an iconic figure whose story intertwines themes of love, longing, and perseverance. Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob, whose love story is pretty dramatic— after seven years of labor, Jacob thought he was marrying Rachel, only to find Laban had swapped in her older sister Leah on the wedding night! After another seven years, Jacob finally weds Rachel.

Now don't underestimate Rachel's experience; she was determined to have children! Initially, she faced infertility while her sister Leah was popping out babies left and right. Rachel's yearning for children lead her to give her maid Bilhah to Jacob when things became too painful for her. Talk about adding some serious family dynamics into the mix!

Rachel eventually bore two of Jacob’s sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph’s story—sold into slavery, rising to power in Egypt, and reconciling with his family—is scintillating and offers various life lessons about resilience, forgiveness, and divine providence. Interestingly enough, whenever the name "Israel" is mentioned, it calls to mind not just Jacob’s children collectively, but Rachel's heartfelt motherhood contributes significantly to the lineage of the tribes of Israel. So, next time you hear about Joseph’s epic saga, remember: it all started with a mother’s unyielding love!