Bible Chapter Summary
Genesis 30 Summary
Jacob's Family Grows, Wealth Increases
Rachel, barren and envious of her sister Leah, gives her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob as a wife; Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali. Leah, having temporarily stopped bearing, likewise gives her maidservant Zilpah to Jacob, who bears Gad and Asher. Through a bargain over Reuben's mandrakes, Leah gains more nights with Jacob and subsequently bears Issachar, Zebulun, and a daughter named Dinah; God then remembers Rachel, opening her womb so that she bears Joseph. After Joseph's birth, Jacob negotiates with Laban to work for speckled and spotted livestock as his wages, and through a scheme of peeled rods at the watering troughs he selectively breeds the stronger animals for himself, becoming exceedingly prosperous.
Key themes
Key verses
Genesis 30:1
“And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.”
Genesis 30:6
“And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.”
Genesis 30:22
“And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.”
Genesis 30:43
“And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.”
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