Abstract
Physiological factors must to be taken into account when reading and interpreting texts from ancient time periods or when studying the religious life of populations different from one’s own. Focusing on the Biblical figure of Rebekah, this study observes that given a later age for the onset of menarche in ancient times, Rebekah was likely not being depicted as an adult in the story but merely as a child when she married Abraham ’s forty year old son, Isaac. Delayed childbirth in the marriage is not to be attributed to barrenness in the mind of the storyteller but to her prepubescent state. Prepubescent marriage in ancient Israel was practiced when religious, economic, social or political factors warranted it.