Genesis 30:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 30:1-13

We have here the bad consequences of that strange marriage which Jacob made with the two sisters. Here is, I. An unhappy disagreement between him and Rachel (Gen. 30:1, 2), occasioned, not so much by her own barrenness as by her sister's fruitfulness. Rebekah, the only wife of Isaac, was long childless, and yet we find no uneasiness between her and Isaac; but here, because Leah bears children, Rachel cannot live peaceably with Jacob. 1. Rachel frets. She envied her sister, Gen. 30:1. Envy is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:1

And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children ,.... In the space of three or four years after marriage, and when her sister Leah had had four sons: Rachel envied her sister ; the honour she had of bearing children, and the pleasure in nursing and bringing them up, when she lay under the reproach of barrenness: or, "she emulated her sisters" F26 תקנא "aemulata est", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Schmidt. ; was desirous of having children even as she, which she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:2

And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel ,.... Whom yet he dearly loved, hearing her talk in such an extravagant manner, as her words seemed to be, and were not: only expressive of great uneasiness and impatience, but implied what was not in the power of man to do: and he said, am I in God's stead : do you take me to be God, or one that has a dispensing power from him to do what otherwise no creature can do; and which also he never gives to any? for, as the Targum of Jerusalem on ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 30:1

Give me children, or else I die - This is a most reprehensible speech, and argues not only envy and jealousy, but also a total want of dependence on God. She had the greatest share of her husband's affection, and yet was not satisfied unless she could engross all the privileges which her sister enjoyed! How true are those sayings, Envy is as rottenness of the bones! and, Jealousy is as cruel as the grave! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 30:2

Amos I in God's stead - Amos I greater than God, to give thee what he has refused? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 30:1

Verse 1 1.And when Rachel saw. Here Moses begins to relate that Jacob was distracted with domestic strifes. But although the Lord was punishing him, because he had been guilty of no light sin in marrying two wives, and especially sisters; yet the chastisement was paternal; and God himself, seeing that he is wont mercifully to pardon his own people, restrained in some degree his hand. Whence also it happened, that Jacob did not immediately repent, but added new offenses to the former. But first... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 30:2

Verse 2 2.And Jacob’s anger was kindled. The tenderness of Jacob’s affection rendered him unwilling to offend his wife; yet her unworthy conduct compelled him to do so, when he saw her petulantly exalt herself, not only against her sister, who piously, homily, and thankfully was enjoying the gifts of God; but even against God himself, of whom it is said that the fruit of the womb is his reward. (Psalms 127:3.) On this account, therefore, Jacob is angry, because his wife ascribes nothing to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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