Genesis-Chap-30-1-21
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Remember the following truth
from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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Part One - Verses 1-21..
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Genesis
30 describes a turning point in the lives of ‘Jacob’, ‘Rachel’, ‘Leah’, and
their families. The chapter explores themes of ‘longing’, ‘rivalry’, ‘Divine
providence’, ‘human initiative’, and the complex dynamics of building the
Israelite family. It also details Jacob’s growing prosperity under Laban’s household, setting the stage for his eventual
departure.
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Let
us read Genesis Chapter 30, verses 1-21: Below the verses are the
Explanation’s. (The Chapter is
from JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
Verse 1: And
when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and
she said unto Jacob: ‘Give me children, or else I die’.
Explanation Verse 1: Explanation, Rachel’s anguish at her
barrenness reflects the deep cultural importance of children in the ancient
Near East. Her plea to Jacob shows both desperation and a sense of competition
with Leah.
Verse 2: And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said: ‘Am I in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s
stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?’
Explanation Verse 2: Explanation, Jacob’s response emphasizes that fertility is
ultimately in אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim’s hands, not his. His frustration also shows the emotional strain within
the household.
Verse 3: And she said: ‘Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; that she may bear upon my knees, and I also may be builded up through her’.
Explanation Verse 3: Rachel offers Bilhah
as a surrogate, following a known ancient custom where a servant’s child could
be considered the mistress’s. This is Rachel’s attempt to participate in
building the family.
Verse 4: And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid
to wife; and Jacob went in unto her.
Explanation Verse 4: Jacob accepts Bilhah,
showing that the arrangement is socially recognized and legitimate within their
context.
Verse 5: And Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son.
Explanation Verse 5: Bilhah’s
conception is interpreted by Rachel as Divine validation of her strategy.
Verse 6: And Rachel said: ‘אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son’.
Therefore called she his name Dan.
Explanation Verse 6: Rachel names Dan, expressing her
belief that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has judged her favourably and granted
her a share in motherhood.
Verse 7: And Bilhah Rachel’s handmaid
conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son.
Explanation Verse 7: Bilhah conceives again, reinforcing
Rachel’s sense of restored status.
Verse 8: And Rachel said: ‘With mighty wrestling’s have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed’. And she called his name Naphtali.
Explanation Verse 8: Rachel names Naphtali, describing her struggle with Leah as a kind
of rivalry in which she now feels victorious.
Verse 9: When Leah saw that she had left off bearing, she took Zilpah her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob to wife.
Explanation Verse 9: Leah, seeing Rachel’s tactic succeed, uses the same method by
giving Zilpah to Jacob. This reflects the competitive
environment between the sisters.
Verse 10: And Zilpah Leah’s handmaid bore
Jacob a son.
Explanation Verse 10: Zilpah bears a son, adding to Leah’s
growing family influence.
Verse 11: And Leah said: ‘Fortune is come!’ And she called his name Gad.
Explanation Verse 11: Leah names Gad, expressing the idea of “good fortune” or “a troop,”
suggesting abundance or reinforcement.
Verse 12: And Zilpah Leah’s handmaid bore
Jacob a second son.
Explanation Verse 12: Zilpah bears another son, further
strengthening Leah’s position.
Verse 13: And Leah said: ‘Happy am I! for the
daughters will call me happy’. And she called his name Asher.
Explanation Verse 13: Leah names Asher, expressing happiness and a sense that others will
consider her fortunate.
Verse 14: And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found
mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said
to Leah: ‘Give me, I pray thee, of thy son’s mandrakes’.
Explanation Verse 14: Reuben finds mandrakes, plants associated in ancient cultures with
fertility. Rachel’s interest reflects her ongoing desire for children.
Verse 15: And she said unto her: ‘Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son’s mandrakes also?’ And Rachel said: ‘Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son’s mandrakes’.
Explanation Verse 15: Leah’s response shows her resentment toward Rachel’s earlier
dominance over Jacob’s affection. She bargains for Jacob’s presence that night.
Verse 16: And Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said: ‘Thou must come in unto me; for I have surely hired thee with my son’s mandrakes’. And he lay with her that night.
Explanation Verse 16: Leah’s assertiveness leads to Jacob spending the night with her,
demonstrating the sisters’ negotiation over marital access.
Verse 17: And אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.
Explanation Verse 17: Leah conceives again, which she interprets as Divine acknowledgment
of her situation.
Verse 18: And Leah said: ‘אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
hath given me my hire, because I gave my handmaid to my husband. And she called
his name Issachar.
Explanation Verse 18: Leah names Issachar, expressing gratitude for what she sees as a Divine
reward for her efforts and sacrifices.
Verse 19: And Leah conceived again, and bore a sixth son to Jacob.
Explanation Verse 19: Leah conceives yet again, showing her continued fertility.
Verse 20: And Leah said: ‘אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
hath endowed me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I
have borne him six sons’. And she called his name Zebulun.
Explanation Verse 20: Leah names Zebulun, expressing hope that
Jacob will now honour her due to the many sons she has borne.
Verse 21: And afterwards she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah”.
Explanation Verse 21: Leah bears a daughter, Dinah. Her mention foreshadows her later
significance in the narrative.
Please Note: Part Two of this chapter can be reached at Genesis-Chap-30-22-43.
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