Genesis 30:4 - She gave him Bilhah her servant as wife, and Jacob went in to her.
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 30:4" mean?
This verse from Genesis 30:4 refers to a specific practice called "surrogate motherhood" within the context of ancient Near Eastern culture. Let's break it down:
She: Refers to Rachel, one of Jacob's wives.
Gave him Bilhah her servant as wife: Rachel was barren and unable to conceive. In this cultural context, a barren wife could provide her husband with her female servant as a surrogate to bear children on her behalf. The children born to the servant would then be considered the children of the original wife (Rachel in this case).
And Jacob went in to her: This is a euphemism for sexual relations. It means that Jacob had sexual intercourse with Bilhah.
In summary, Rachel, unable to have children herself, gave her servant Bilhah to Jacob so that Bilhah could bear children for Rachel. The resulting children would be considered Rachel's offspring, fulfilling Rachel's desire to build her family through Jacob.
Key points to understand the verse:
Cultural Context: Surrogate motherhood was a recognized and accepted practice in the ancient Near East as a means of ensuring lineage and inheritance when a wife was infertile. It was a way to build a family and carry on the family name.
Power Dynamics: The verse highlights the power dynamics between Rachel (the wife), Bilhah (the servant), and Jacob (the husband). Rachel had the right to offer Bilhah to Jacob. Bilhah, as a servant, likely had little or no say in the matter.
Motivation: Rachel's motivation was to have children and not be seen as "less than" by her sister Leah, who was fertile.
Religious Significance: This story is part of the larger narrative of the patriarchs of Israel and how the twelve tribes of Israel were formed.
It's important to understand this verse within its historical and cultural context. It's not necessarily a reflection of modern moral values or attitudes about surrogacy, but rather a glimpse into a specific cultural practice of that time.
Genesis 30:4 - She gave him Bilhah her servant as wife, and Jacob went in to her.
What does "Genesis 30:4" mean?
This verse from Genesis 30:4 refers to a specific practice called "surrogate motherhood" within the context of ancient Near Eastern culture. Let's break it down:
She: Refers to Rachel, one of Jacob's wives.
Gave him Bilhah her servant as wife: Rachel was barren and unable to conceive. In this cultural context, a barren wife could provide her husband with her female servant as a surrogate to bear children on her behalf. The children born to the servant would then be considered the children of the original wife (Rachel in this case).
And Jacob went in to her: This is a euphemism for sexual relations. It means that Jacob had sexual intercourse with Bilhah.
In summary, Rachel, unable to have children herself, gave her servant Bilhah to Jacob so that Bilhah could bear children for Rachel. The resulting children would be considered Rachel's offspring, fulfilling Rachel's desire to build her family through Jacob.
Key points to understand the verse:
Cultural Context: Surrogate motherhood was a recognized and accepted practice in the ancient Near East as a means of ensuring lineage and inheritance when a wife was infertile. It was a way to build a family and carry on the family name.
Power Dynamics: The verse highlights the power dynamics between Rachel (the wife), Bilhah (the servant), and Jacob (the husband). Rachel had the right to offer Bilhah to Jacob. Bilhah, as a servant, likely had little or no say in the matter.
Motivation: Rachel's motivation was to have children and not be seen as "less than" by her sister Leah, who was fertile.
Religious Significance: This story is part of the larger narrative of the patriarchs of Israel and how the twelve tribes of Israel were formed.
It's important to understand this verse within its historical and cultural context. It's not necessarily a reflection of modern moral values or attitudes about surrogacy, but rather a glimpse into a specific cultural practice of that time.