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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 30:14-24

Here is, I. Leah fruitful again, after she had, for some time, left off bearing. Jacob, it should seem, associated more with Rachel than with Leah. The law of Moses supposes it a common case that, if a man had two wives, one would be beloved and the other hated, Deut. 21:15. But at length Rachel's strong passions betrayed her into a bargain with Leah that Jacob should return to her apartment. Reuben, a little lad, five or six years old, playing in the field, found mandrakes, dudaim. It is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 30:25-36

We have here, I. Jacob's thoughts of home. He faithfully served his time out with Laban, even his second apprenticeship, though he was an old man, had a large family to provide for, and it was high time for him to set up for himself. Though Laban's service was hard, and he had cheated him in the first bargain he had made, yet Jacob honestly performs his engagements. Note, A good man, though he swear to his own hurt, will not change. And though others have deceived us this will not justify us... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:22

And God remembered Rachel ,.... In a way of mercy and kindness, whom he seemed to have forgotten, by not giving her children: and God hearkened to her ; to her prayer, which had been made time after time, that she might have children; but hitherto God had delayed to answer, but now gives one: and opened her womb ; gave her conception, and made her fruitful, and she became the mother of a child she so much desired. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:23

And she conceived and bare a son ,.... Through the goodness of God unto her, and for which she was greatly thankful: and said, God hath taken away my reproach ; the reproach of barrenness with which she was reproached among her neighbours; and perhaps by her sister Leah, and indeed it was a general reproach in those times; and especially, it was the more grievous to good women in the family of Abraham, because they were not the means of multiplying his seed according to the promise, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:24

And she called his name Joseph ,.... Which signifies "adding", or rather, "to be added"; or, "God shall add", giving this reason for it: and said, the Lord shall add to me another son : which is expressive of strong faith; that as she had begun to bear children, she should bear another, as she did; though some read the words as a wish or prayer, "may the Lord", or, "and that the Lord would add", &c.; F8 יסף "addat", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:25

And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph ,.... At which time his fourteen years of servitude were ended; for Jacob was in Laban's house twenty years, fourteen were spent in serving for his wives, and the other six for his cattle, which begun from this time, as the context clearly shows; see Genesis 31:41 ; so that, as the Jewish writers F12 Pirke Eliezer, c. 36. Tzemach David, par. 1. fol. 6. 2. truly observe, in seven years' time Jacob had twelve children born to him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:26

Give me my wives ,.... His two wives, Leah and Rachel, and the two maids, Bilhah and Zilpah, which he had given him for wives also; he desires leave not to have them, but to take them away with him: and my children ; his twelve children; he did not desire his father-in- law to take any of them, and keep them for him, but was desirous of having them with him: no doubt, for the sake of their education, though he had nothing of his own wherewith to support them; not doubting that God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:27

And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry ,.... One would think he could not expect to have much from him, by his treatment of him; but he craftily cajoles him in this fawning, flattering way, in order to gain a point, and begs of him, in a very humble and suppliant manner, if he had any love for him, that he would not depart from him, but stay with him, which he should take as a great favour; for he could not insist upon it, as bound in duty, or as a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:28

And he said, appoint me thy wages, and I will give it . Say what thou wilt have, fix what salary thou thinkest sufficient, and I will agree to it, and punctually pay it: this he craftily said, not choosing to propose anything himself, but leaving it to Jacob, knowing very well the honesty and modesty of Jacob, that he would mention less wages than he could have the face to offer him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:29

And he said unto him ,.... Jacob to Laban: thou knowest that I have served thee ; not only diligently and faithfully, without any salary, excepting for his wives; otherwise he had no wages for his service all this time, which therefore should be considered for the future: and how thy cattle was with me : always under his care, and he ever watchful of them; spent all his time and labour with them, and had no opportunity of getting anything for himself. read more

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