Genesis 35:17

Modern

During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.”

Traditional

And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

Literal

And it came to pass, when she having difficulty in giving birth, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for also this is a son for you.”

Latin

…ob difficultatem partus periclitari cœpit. Dixitque ei obstetrix: Noli timere, quia et hunc habebis filium.

Hebrew

English

During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.”

Benjamin's birth completed the family. But it was a sad event because Rachel died during childbirth (see study note on 31:32).

This chapter discusses God's promises, Jacob's vow, and how Jacob's sons continue the covenant. Deborah, Rachel, and Isaac died. This marked the end of an era and the story of Isaac's family (25:19–35:29).
They removed idols (35:1–4) and established pure worship (35:6–7). During this time, they needed to renew their faith so Jacob's sons could continue the covenant.

Theme notes and profiles

Genesis 30:24
She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”
1 Samuel 4:19–21
Now Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news of the capture of God’s ark and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband, she collapsed and gave birth, for her labor pains overtook her.