What was the identity of the matriarchs of Israel?

The matriarchs of Israel are primarily considered to be Rachel and Leah, as they are the wives of Jacob, who is a significant patriarch in the biblical narrative. Rachel and Leah are pivotal figures because they are the mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel through their children and the children of their maidservants. Their stories are deeply woven into the themes of family, lineage, and the establishment of the Israelite identity.

In contrast, while Sarah is a matriarch as the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac, Hagar, though she bore a child (Ishmael) for Abraham, is more often considered a secondary figure within this context. Rebecca, wife of Isaac, is also a matriarch but is not the focus when coupling matriarchs with Jacob specifically. Abigail, known for her intelligence and resourcefulness, does not fit into the matriarchal lineage of the tribes of Israel. Lastly, Deborah and Jael are significant female figures in the Bible but are associated with leadership and military aspects rather than the foundational family lineage of Israel. Thus, Rachel and Leah hold the primary status as the matriarchs of Israel, confirming the accuracy of the answer.