Genesis 30:5

⁴So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her,⁵and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son. ⁶Then Rachel said, “God has vindicated me; He has heard my plea and given me a son.” So she named him Dan.

Sermons

(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5

Chuck Smith

1.8K

Summary

In this verse, Rachel expresses her deep desire for children as she sees her sister Leah bearing sons. Her plea to Jacob for children reflects the cultural significance of offspring in that time, especially for women. Rachel's longing for children highlights the emotional pain and societal pressure she feels due to her barrenness. This verse sets the stage for the complex family dynamics and competition between Rachel and Leah in their shared journey of motherhood.

Commentary

John Gill
Tyndale

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. This was so far countenanced by the Lord, that he blessed her with conception, and Jacob with a son by her. And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. This was so far countenanced by the Lord, that he blessed her with conception, and Jacob with a son by her. Genesis 30:6 gen 30:6 gen 30:6 gen 30:6And Rachel said,.... As soon as she heard that Bilhah had bore a son: God hath judged me: and hereby testified his approbation, as she understood it, of the step she had took in giving her maid to her husband, and she was justified in what she had done: and hath also heard my voice: of prayer; she had prayed to God that her maid might have a child, or she have one by her: and hath given me a son; whom she reckoned her own, Bilhah being her servant, and so her children born of her, hers; or whom she adopted and called her own, and therefore took upon her to give it a name, as follows: and here let it be observed, that she looked upon this child as a gift of God, as the fruit of prayer, and as in mercy to her, God dealing graciously with her, and taking her part, and judging righteous judgment: therefore called she his name Dan; which signifies "judgment"; the reason of it lies in the first clause of the verse.