In my blog post for November 3rd, 2015 “Taking the Measure of Avraham,” I noted that I had developed a distinction between “major” and “minor” characters in the biblical narrative, based upon the number of verses that are devoted to them in a particular biblical book. If Avraham certainly qualified as a “major” character in Beraishit, another individual mentioned only in two verses throughout the TaNaCh must be considered a “minor” character, at least quantitatively if not also qualitatively.
When Rivka’s family finally acquiesces, following protracted negotiations and much stalling, to send her with Eliezer to become Yitzchak’s wife, she is accompanied by one other person. This individual is described only by her role in Parashat Chaye Sara, and mentioned by name in the single other verse in which she appears, in Parashat VaYishlach, where her death is recorded:
Beraishit 24:59
And they sent away Rivka their sister, and her nurse, and Avraham’s servant (for a discussion of why Eliezer’s name is not mentioned explicitly throughout this chapter, see my post, “Principles of Shlichut (Surrogacy) Derived from Eliezer in Parashat Chayei Sara” 11/1/15), and his men.
Ibid. 35:8
And Devora, Rivka’s nurse died, and she was buried below Beth-El under the oak; and the name of it was called Allon-Bachut.