Genesis 30

Genesis 30 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter continues the story of the conflict between Rachel and Leah.

Special concepts in this chapter
Women and their children

In the ancient Near East, it was important for a married woman to have many children. If a woman did not have many children, people believed it brought shame upon her. This is one of the reasons why Rachel and Leah were always jealous of each other. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#jealous)

Speckled and spotted

Speckled and spotted sheep were considered to be imperfect. Therefore, they were considered to be much less valuable than the spotless sheep. Despite Jacob's fair offer, Laban once again tried to cheat him out of something he deserved. Jacob anticipated Laban's cheating.

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Genesis 30:1

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children

"When Rachel realized that she was unable to become preganant"

I will die

Rachel is exaggerating to show how upset she is about not having children. Alternate translation: "I will feel completely worthless" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-hyperbole)

Give me children

"Cause me to become pregnant"

Genesis 30:2

Jacob's anger burned against Rachel

Jacob's anger is spoken of as if it were a fire. Alternate translation: "Jacob was very angry with Rachel" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor)

Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?

This is a rhetorical question that Jacob uses to scold Rachel. It can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I am not God! I am not the one who is preventing you from having children!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-rquestion)

Genesis 30:3

She said

"Rachel said"

See

"Look" or "Listen" or "Pay attention to what I am about to tell you"

there is my servant Bilhah ... I will have children by her

At that time, this was an acceptable way for a barren woman to have children that would legally belong to her. The full meaning of this may be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-explicit)

Bilhah

This is the name of Rachel's female servant. See how you translated this name in Genesis 29:29.

Go in to her

This is a polite way of talking about sexual relations. You may need to use different words in your language. Alternate translation: "Have sexual relations with her" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-euphemism)

on my knees

This is a way of saying that the child that Bilhah gives birth to will belong to Rachel. Alternate translation: "for me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-idiom)

I will have children by her

"and in this way she will cause me to have children"

Genesis 30:4

Jacob went in to her

This is a polite way of talking about sexual relations. You may need to use different words in your language. Alternate translation: "Jacob had sexual relations with her" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-euphemism)

Genesis 30:5

Bilhah

This is the name of Rachel's female servant. See how you translated this name in Genesis 29:29.

bore Jacob a son

"gave birth to a son for Jacob"

Genesis 30:6

she called his name

"Rachel gave him the name"

called his name Dan

Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Dan means 'he judged.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)

Genesis 30:7

Bilhah ... conceived again

"Bilhah ... became pregnant again"

bore Jacob a second son

"gave birth to a second son for Jacob"

Genesis 30:8

With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister

The phrase "wrestlings have I wrestled" is an idiom used for emphasis. It is also a metaphor that speaks of Rachel's attempts to have a child like her sister as if she were having a physical fight with Leah. Alternate translation: "I have had a great struggle to have children like my older sister, Leah" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-idiom and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor)

have prevailed

"I have won" or "I have succeeded"

called his name Naphtali

Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Naphtali means 'my struggle.'"

Genesis 30:9

When Leah saw that

"When Leah became aware that"

she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife

"she gave Zilpah, her servant, to Jacob as a wife"

Zilpah

This is the name of Leah's female servant. See how you translated this in Genesis 29:24.

Genesis 30:10

bore Jacob a son

"gave birth to a son for Jacob"

Genesis 30:11

This is fortunate!

"How fortunate!" or "What good luck!"

called his name Gad

Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Gad means 'fortunate.'"

Genesis 30:12

Zilpah

This is the name of Leah's female servant. See how you translated this name in Genesis 29:24. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)

bore Jacob a second son

"gave birth to a second son for Jacob"

Genesis 30:13

I am happy!

"How blessed I am!" or "How happy I am!"

the daughters

"the women" or "the young women"

called his name Asher

Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Asher means 'happy.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)

Genesis 30:14

Reuben went

"Reuben went out"

in the days of wheat harvest

Here the phrase "in the days of" is an idiom that refers to the season or time of year. Alternate translation: "at the time of year of the wheat harvest" or "during the wheat harvest" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-idiom)

mandrakes

This is a fruit that was said to increase fertility and the desire to sleep with one's lover. Alternate translation: "love fruit" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-unknown)

Genesis 30:15

Is it a small matter to you ... my husband?

"Do you not care ... my husband?" This is a rhetorical question used to scold Rachel. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "It is bad enough ... my husband." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-rquestion)

Do you now want ... too?

This is a rhetorical question, used to scold Rachel. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Now you want ... too!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-rquestion)

Then he will lie with you

Here "lie with" is a euphemism. Alternate translation: "Then Jacob will have sexual intercourse with you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-euphemism)

Genesis 30:16

You must come in to me

Here "come in to" is a euphemism. Alternate translation: "You must have sexual intercourse with me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-euphemism)

with my son's mandrakes

"for the price of my son's mandrakes." See how you translated "mandrake" in Genesis 30:14.

Genesis 30:17

she conceived

"She became pregnant"

bore Jacob a fifth son

"gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob"

Genesis 30:18

God has given me my wages

God rewarding Leah is spoken of as if he were a boss paying wages to someone who works for him. Alternate translation: "God has given my due" or "God has rewarded me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor)

She called his name Issachar

Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Issachar means 'there is a reward.'"

Genesis 30:19

Leah conceived again

"Leah became pregnant again"

bore a sixth son to Jacob

"gave birth to a sixth son for Jacob"

Genesis 30:20

She called his name Zebulun

Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Zebulun means 'honor.'"

Genesis 30:21

called her name Dinah

This is the name of Leah's daughter. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)

Genesis 30:22

God called Rachel to mind and listened to her

The phrase "call to mind" means to remember. This does not mean God forgot about Rachel. It means he considered her request. Alternate translation: "God considered Rachel and granted to her what she wanted" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-idiom)

Genesis 30:23

God has taken away my shame

God causing Rachel to no longer feel ashamed is spoken of as if "shame" were an object that person could take away from someone else. The abstract noun "shame" can be stated as "ashamed." Alternate translation: "God has caused me to no longer feel ashamed" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-abstractnouns)

Genesis 30:24

She called his name Joseph

Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Joseph means 'may he add.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)

Yahweh has added to me another son

Rachel's first sons were through her female servant Bilhah.

Genesis 30:25

After Rachel had borne Joseph

"After Rachel gave birth to Joseph"

Genesis 30:26

and let me go

"so I can go"

you know the service I have given you

Jacob is reminding Laban of their contract (Genesis Gen 29:27). The abstract noun "service" can be stated as "served." Alternate translation: "you know that I have served you long enough" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-abstractnouns)

Genesis 30:27

Laban said to him

"Laban said to Jacob"

If now I have found favor in your eyes

The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: "If I have found favor with you" or "If you are pleased with me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor)

found favor

This is an idiom that means that someone is approved of by someone else. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-idiom)

wait, because

"please stay, because"

I have learned by using divination

"I have discovered by my own spiritual and magical practices"

for your sake

"because of you"

Genesis 30:28

Name your wages

This can be made more explicit. Alternate translation: "Tell me how much I have to pay to keep you here" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-explicit)

Genesis 30:29

Jacob said to him

"Jacob said to Laban"

how your livestock have fared with me

"how well your livestock have done since I started taking care of them"

Genesis 30:30

For you had little before I came

"your herds were small before I worked for you"

and it has increased abundantly

"but now your wealth has greatly increased"

Now when will I provide for my own household also?

"Now when will I take care of my own family?" Jacob uses a question to emphasize that he wants to start providing for his own family. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Now I want to take care of my family!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-rquestion)

Genesis 30:31

What will I pay you

"What can I pay you" or "What can I give you." This can be made more explicit. Alternate translation: "What can I pay you so that you stay and work for me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-explicit)

If you will do this thing for me

The connecting word "But" can be used at the beginning to show that what Jacob is about to say contrasts with what he just said. Alternate translation: "But if you will do this thing for me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#writing-connectingwords)

this thing

The phrase "this thing" refers to what Jacob will propose in verse 32.

feed your flock and keep it

"feed and take care of your flock"

Genesis 30:32

removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats

"and remove every sheep with spots, every black sheep, and every goat with spots"

These will be my wages

"This will be the cost of keeping me here"

Genesis 30:33

My integrity will testify for me later on

The word "integrity" means "honesty." This speaks about integrity as if it were a person who could testify for or against another person. Alternate translation: "And later you will know if I have been honest with you or not" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-personification)

Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, if any are found with me, will be considered to be stolen

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "If you find any goats without spots or any sheep that are not black, you can consider them stolen" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-activepassive)

Genesis 30:34

Let it be according to your word

"Let it be as you say" or "We will do what you have said"

Genesis 30:35

that were striped and spotted

"that had stripes and spots"

that were speckled and spotted

"that had spots"

every one that had white in it

"every goat that had some white in it"

all the black ones among the sheep

"all the black sheep"

gave them into the hand

Here "hand" stands for control or care. Alternate translation: "had his sons take care of them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metonymy)

Genesis 30:36

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Genesis 30:37

fresh poplar ... almond ... plane tree

These are all trees with white wood. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-unknown)

peeled white streaks in them, and made the white inner wood appear that was in the sticks

"peeled off pieces of bark so that the white wood underneath would show"

Genesis 30:38

the watering troughs

long open containers for holding water for animals to drink

Genesis 30:39

The flocks bred

"The animals of the flocks conceived" or "The animals mated"

produced striped, speckled, and spotted young

"gave birth to babies with stripes and spots"

Genesis 30:40

Jacob separated

It can be made explicit that this happened over several years. Alternate translation: "During the several years following, Jacob separated" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-explicit)

face toward

"look toward"

he separated out his flocks for himself alone

"he set his flocks apart"

Genesis 30:41

before the eyes of the flock

Here the flock's "eyes" represent the sheep and emphasize what they see. Alternate translation: "so that the flock could see them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-synecdoche)

among the sticks

"in front of the sticks"

Genesis 30:42

the feebler animals

"the weaker animals"

So the feebler animals were Laban's, and the stronger were Jacob's

"So the weaker offspring belonged to Laban, while the stronger offspring belonged to Jacob." You can make this even more explicit. Alternate translation: "So the weaker offspring did not have stripes or spots and so belonged to Laban, while the stronger offspring did have stripes or spots and so belonged to Jacob" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-explicit)

Genesis 30:43

The man

"Jacob"

became very prosperous

"greatly prospered" or "became very wealthy"