Genesis 30:1-3 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:1

And when Rachel saw (apparently after, though probably before, the birth of Leah's fourth son) that she bare Jacob no children (literally, that she bare not to Jacob ), Rachel envied her sister (was jealous of her, the root referring to the redness with which the face of an angry woman is suffused); and said unto Jacob, Give me children (sons), or else I die —literally, and if not , I am a dead woman; i . e . for shame at her sterility. Rachel had three strong... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:1

Envy working in God's people. "Rachel envied her sister." Jacob's love for Rachel a type of Christ's love for his Church. We cannot doubt that his love was returned. There was thus the chief element of conjugal happiness. But her sister, less favored in this, had a blessing which was denied her, and "Rachel envied her sister." It was not that she feared to lose her husband's love. Of that she had abundant proof: It was a selfish sorrow. Her husband's children were growing up, but they were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:1-13

Rachel and Leah, or unholy rivalry. I. RACHEL 'S ENVY OF LEAH . 1. The insufficient cause . "She saw that she bare Jacob no children," while Leah had begun to have a family. Though commonly regarded by Hebrew wives as a peculiarly severe affliction, childlessness was not without its compensations, which Rachel should have reckoned. Then the motherhood of Leah was the good fortune of a sister, in which Rachel should have lovingly rejoiced; and both the barrenness and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:2

And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel (not without just cause, since she not only evinced a want of faith and resignation, but wrongfully imputed blame to him): and he said, Am I in God's stead, — i . e . am I omnipotent like him? This you yourself will surely not presume to believe. The interrogative particle conveys the force of a spirited denial— who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? Rachel herself understood that God alone could remove sterility ( Genesis... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:3

And she said ,—resorting to the sinful expedient of Sarah ( Genesis 16:2 ), though without Sarah's excuse, since there was no question whatever about an heir for Jacob; which, even if there had been, would not have justified a practice which, in the case of her distinguished relative, had been so palpably condemned— Behold my maid Bilhah ( vide Genesis 29:29 ), go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees ,—i.e. children that I may place upon my knees, as mothers do... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 30:1-43

- Jacob’s Family and Wealth6. דן dān, Dan, “judge, lord.”8. נפתלי naptālı̂y, Naphtali, “wrestling.”11. גד gād, Gad, “overcoming, victory.” בגד bāgād, “in victory or” =גד בא bā' gād, “victory cometh.” גוּד gûd, “press down.” גדוּד gedûd, “troop.”13. אשׁר 'ǎashēr, Asher, “prosperity, happiness.”18. ישׂשכר yı̂śāskār, Jissakar, “reward.” The second Hebrew letter (ש s) seems to have been merely a full mode of writing the word, instead of the abbreviated form ישׂכר yı̂śākār.20.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 30:1

Genesis 30:1. Rachel envied her sister The Hebrew women considered barrenness as one of the greatest misfortunes that could befall them, not only from a natural desire of children, but from their eager wishes to be the means of fulfilling the promise to Abraham, and bringing forth that seed in which all the families of the earth were to be blessed. But Rachel does not seem to have been chiefly actuated by this motive in desiring children, but by envy of her sister; hence she says, Give me... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 30:2

Genesis 30:2. And Jacob’s anger was kindled He was angry at the sin, and showed his displeasure, by a grave and pious reply: Am I in God’s stead? Can I give thee that which God denies thee? He acknowledges the hand of God in the affliction: He hath withheld the fruit of the womb. Whatever we want, it is God that withholds it, as sovereign Lord, most wise, holy, and just, who may do what he will with his own, and is debtor to no man; who never did, nor ever can do any wrong to any of his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 30:3

Genesis 30:3. Behold my maid Bilhah She will rather have children by reputation than none at all; children that she can call her own, though they be not so. But had she not considered her sister as her rival, and envied her, she would have thought Leah’s children nearer to her, and more entitled to her care than Bilhah’s could be. As an early instance of her dominion over the children born in her apartment, she takes a pleasure in giving them names that carry in them nothing but marks of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:1-24

Children born in Haran (29:31-30:24)Jacob’s coolness to Leah created unhappiness in his household. Leah’s desire for Jacob’s love is seen in the names she gave her first four sons (31-35). Rachel, feeling ashamed that she had not yet produced a child herself, gave her slave-girl to Jacob so that the slave-girl might produce a son whom Rachel could adopt as her own. The result was two sons (30:1-8; cf. 16:1-4). Leah, believing she was not able to have any more children, did the same, and soon... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 30:1-43

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 30:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 30:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 30:3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:1-24

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