When Jacob left Bethel (house of God) to travel to Hebron Rachel "travailed" and had hard labor. The Bible says that she died in sorrow while giving birth to Benjamin. The name "Benjamin" was given by Jacob which means "Son of my right hand." Rachel was buried near Bethlehem where Jacob placed a stone pillar to mark the site.
Bethlehem happens to be the site where the Messiah was to be born many years later. This is prophesied by the Prophet Micha in about 700 B.C. in Chapter 5 verse 2. This passage was instrumental in assisting the Parthian Aristocrats (the 3 wise men) to find the Messiah when he was first born. In about 600 B.C. The Prophet Jeremiah used Rachel's lament as he foretold the slaying of the children in Bethlehem by Herod the Great when Herod tried to kill the Messiah after he was born Jer 31:15.
Although Rachel's Tomb was originally marked with a simple stone pillar, it's now a major tourist attraction in Bethlehem.
Also in this Chapter is the account of Reuben losing his birthright. According to Jasher 36:13-14 when Rachel died Jacob took Rachel's hand maid Bilhah and "pitched his tent." This made Reuben jealous for his mother Leah, when Jacob took the hand maid of Rachel. Out of anger Reuben laid with Bilhah and "removed his Father's bed." If you remember Leah was Jacob's other wife that he did not love and was tricked into marrying by Laban. The birthright of Reuben of material blessing was given to Joseph, the son of Rachel.
Reuben once had the birthright of Israel, but now all Reuben has is a sandwich named after him.
This is also the place in the Bible where Issac dies at the age of 180 years. Issac was buried in the Cave Of Machpelah by Jacob and Esau. It's important to note that when Isaac died, he died 43 years after the time in Genesis 27:2 when he thought he was going to die and gave Jacob the birthright.
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