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Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 30:1-43

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 30:3

(3) Behold my maid Bilhàh.—Rachel had little excuse for this action; for there was no religious hope involved, as when Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham (Genesis 16:2), but solely vexation at her own barrenness, and envy of her sister. All that can be said in her defence is, that the custom existed, and, perhaps, because it was distasteful to the wife, was looked upon as meritorious (Genesis 30:18).She shall bear upon my knees.—So in Genesis 1:23, it is said, in the Hebrew, that “the children of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 30:1-43

CHAPTER 30 Jacob with Laban 1. The sons of Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:1-8 ) 2. The sons of Zilpah: Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-13 ) 3. The children of Leah: Issachar, Zebulon and Dinah (Genesis 30:14-20 ) 4. The birth of Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24 ) 5. Jacob’s request to return (Genesis 30:25-26 ) 6. Laban’s confession and Jacob’s prosperity (Genesis 30:27-43 ) Little comment is needed on this. The avarice and deceit of Laban is matched by the dexterity and cunning of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 30:3

30:3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my {b} knees, that I may also have children by her.(b) I will receive her children on my lap, as though they were my own. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 30:1-43

THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN RACHEL AND LEAH The fruitfulness of Leah moved Rachel to jealousy, then her demand to Jacob for children moves him to anger (vs.1-2). We may see a serious lesson in Rachel's words, "Give me children or else I die." If we do not see evident fruit, we have the tendency to give up: the exercise of soul that desires true godliness may virtually die. Many Christians have their proper growth stunted by this very thing. On the other hand, Jacob's anger does not help the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:1-43

JACOB AND LABAN THEIR FIRST MEETING (Genesis 29:1-14 ) Jacob’s journey to Haran, his mother’s country, was first to the north and then the east, re-traversing the original course of his grandfather Abraham. As he nears its termination; his attention is attracted by the shepherds with their flocks around a well, whose mouth is covered with a stone. Inquiry reveals that they belong to Haran, and are acquainted with his uncle Laban. Rachel, his daughter and the keeper of his sheep, will be... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 30:1-43

In the Service of Laban Genesis 29-31 The story occupied by Genesis 29-31 represents one of the oft-recurring mysteries of human life. That is to say, in view of what has just taken place, that story seems to be an anti-climax, and is felt to be, in some serious sense, even a disappointment. It is almost impossible to bring the mind from the contemplations upon which it has just been fixed to read such an incident as that which spreads itself over these three chapters. When a man has seen... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 30:1-3

Psalms 127:3 ; 1 Samuel 1:6 . Sad perversion of the original appointment of God! Genesis 2:24 ; Matthew 19:5 . " Be built up by her." Hebrews read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:3

Servant, like a maid of honour. Josephus says she was not a slave, no more than Zelpha. --- My knees, whom I may nurse with pleasure. It was an ancient custom to place the new-born infants upon the knees of some near relation, who gave them a name, and thus in a manner adopted them. (chap. l. 22; Job iii. 12; Psalm xxi. 11) (Homer.) (Calmet) read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:4

Marriage. The Manichees condemned Jacob for having more than four wives at once. But St. Augustine replied, it was not then unusual or forbidden. He took the two last only at the pressing instigation of Rachel and Lia, and that only for the sake of children. Lia herself was forced upon him. (contra Faust. xxii. 48.) read more

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