Genesis 30:17 - God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 30:17" mean?
This verse, Genesis 30:17, is a simple statement within the larger narrative of Jacob and his wives, Leah and Rachel (and their handmaids, Zilpah and Bilhah). Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"God listened to Leah...": This implies that Leah was praying to God. In the context of the story, Leah was feeling unloved and less favored by Jacob than her sister Rachel. She had already borne Jacob four sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah) and hoped that each birth would win her more of Jacob's affection. However, Rachel remained barren, and Leah seems to have sought God's intervention. "God listened" suggests that God answered her prayer.
"...and she conceived...": This is a direct consequence of God listening to her prayer. Conception was seen as a blessing from God, particularly in a society where having children was crucial for continuing the family line and for economic support.
"...and bore Jacob a fifth son.": Leah gave birth to another son for Jacob. The importance of this lies in the context of the competition between Leah and Rachel (and their handmaids) to produce offspring for Jacob. This birth further establishes Leah's fertility and adds to the number of sons in Jacob's lineage. This fifth son's name is Issachar, which Leah names in verse 18.
In essence, the verse highlights the following:
God's role in fertility: The verse emphasizes the belief that God has the power to grant or withhold fertility.
Leah's prayer: It shows that Leah prayed to God about her situation.
The competitive dynamic: It underscores the ongoing competition between Leah and Rachel to bear Jacob's sons.
The increase in Jacob's family: Each birth adds to the patriarch's growing family, which is important for the unfolding of the Israelite lineage.
In the grand scheme of the biblical narrative, these sons of Jacob (including Issachar) would become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. So, this verse is a small piece in the foundation of the Israelite nation.
Genesis 30:17 - God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.
What does "Genesis 30:17" mean?
This verse, Genesis 30:17, is a simple statement within the larger narrative of Jacob and his wives, Leah and Rachel (and their handmaids, Zilpah and Bilhah). Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"God listened to Leah...": This implies that Leah was praying to God. In the context of the story, Leah was feeling unloved and less favored by Jacob than her sister Rachel. She had already borne Jacob four sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah) and hoped that each birth would win her more of Jacob's affection. However, Rachel remained barren, and Leah seems to have sought God's intervention. "God listened" suggests that God answered her prayer.
"...and she conceived...": This is a direct consequence of God listening to her prayer. Conception was seen as a blessing from God, particularly in a society where having children was crucial for continuing the family line and for economic support.
"...and bore Jacob a fifth son.": Leah gave birth to another son for Jacob. The importance of this lies in the context of the competition between Leah and Rachel (and their handmaids) to produce offspring for Jacob. This birth further establishes Leah's fertility and adds to the number of sons in Jacob's lineage. This fifth son's name is Issachar, which Leah names in verse 18.
In essence, the verse highlights the following:
God's role in fertility: The verse emphasizes the belief that God has the power to grant or withhold fertility.
Leah's prayer: It shows that Leah prayed to God about her situation.
The competitive dynamic: It underscores the ongoing competition between Leah and Rachel to bear Jacob's sons.
The increase in Jacob's family: Each birth adds to the patriarch's growing family, which is important for the unfolding of the Israelite lineage.
In the grand scheme of the biblical narrative, these sons of Jacob (including Issachar) would become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. So, this verse is a small piece in the foundation of the Israelite nation.