Translations
Original
Notes
Rachel finally had her own son, Joseph, thanks to God's intervention. His birth was not due to superstitions (30:14–16) or the custom of giving servants as wives.
The Hebrew word translated as "taken away" (’asap) sounds similar to the name Joseph (yosep), which means "may he add." Rachel was happy about Joseph's birth and prayed for another son.
The rivalry between these sisters explains much of the later conflict among their sons, and then among the tribes. This is similar to how Jacob and Laban's rivalry predicted future conflicts between Israel and the Arameans of Damascus (2 Samuel 8:5–6; 10:8–19; 1 Kings 20:1–34; 2 Kings 5:1–8:29; 13:1–25; Isaiah 7:1–9).
God fights for the cause of the poor and oppressed. He honored Leah, the despised first wife, by making her the first mother. Judah's royal tribe and Levi's priestly line came from her. This was despite Jacob's favoritism for Rachel and her children.
Despite the tension and jealousy resulting from Laban’s deceit and Jacob’s favoritism, God still grew Jacob’s family and brought about the births of the tribal ancestors.
These chapters describe how God fulfilled his promise by greatly blessing Jacob with a family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction.
The story of Jacob and Laban is similar to Israel's later stay in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the 12 tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of 12 large tribes and escaping with great riches.
Arameans Jacob Joseph Leah Rachel Sarah Infertility Symbolic Numbers
People
Rachel: Wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin
Glossary
Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Elizabeth Genealogy Genesis, Book of Jacob Leah Maid, Maiden Mandrake Memorial Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Rachel
Topics
Barrenness: A Reproach Childbearing Children in Answer to Prayer: Leah Children in Answer to Prayer: Rachel Children: The Gift of God Conception: Miraculous: Rachel Emulation: Illustrated in Jacob's Household Family: Infelicity In of Jacob, the Bigamic Jealousy Between Leah and Rachel Jacob: Descendants of Miracles: Catalogue of The Opening of Rachel's Womb Polygamy: Domestic Unhappiness in Jacob's Family Rachel: Her Grief in Consequence of Her Sterility Rachel: Later Productiveness of; Becomes the Mother of Joseph