Genesis 30:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But she said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son 's mandrakes also?" Rachel said, "Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son 's mandrakes."

NIV: But she said to her, "Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?" "Very well," Rachel said, "he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes."

NASB: But she said to her, 'Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?' So Rachel said, 'Therefore he may sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.'

CSB: But Leah replied to her, "Isn’t it enough that you have taken my husband? Now you also want to take my son’s mandrakes?" "Well then," Rachel said, "he can sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes."

NLT: But Leah angrily replied, 'Wasn’t it enough that you stole my husband? Now will you steal my son’s mandrakes, too?' Rachel answered, 'I will let Jacob sleep with you tonight if you give me some of the mandrakes.'

KJV: And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.

NKJV: But she said to her, “ Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”

Rachel has requested some of the mandrake plants Leah's son has found (Genesis 30:14). Mandrake plants, apparently, were thought to have aphrodisiac qualities and to be an aid to infertility. These two infertile sisters were likely interested in the plants for exactly that reason. Leah was able to bear four sons for Jacob, but has now stopped conceiving (Genesis 29:31–35). Rachel has never been able to have a child through her own womb. Both have obtained children through their servants, as part of a competition between these sisters (Genesis 30:1–13). Any item believed to aid in conception would have been precious to both women.

Leah responds to Rachel's seemingly-polite request with surprising anger, and with great emotion. Even after the years that have passed and the sons Leah has given to Jacob, it's clear that this conflict is not resolved. Rachel likely still envies her sister for the children she has birthed, and Leah is definitely burdened by the constant awareness that Jacob still loves Rachel and not her (Genesis 29:31).

Her statement that Rachel has "taken away her husband," in light of what follows, reveals to us that Jacob is likely no longer sleeping with Leah. His desire for Rachel has given her full control over his affection and attention. Leah has been left on her own. It's not surprising that she's not inclined to share her mandrakes, especially if she believes they may help Rachel to become pregnant and cement Jacob's preference for her.

Rachel responds with a revealing offer: Leah can have Jacob for one night. Not only does this show us just how much power Rachel has over Jacob, it also shows us how desperate she is for anything which can help her get pregnant. The offer itself also strongly indicates that Leah's recent lack of fertility is directly due to Rachel's influence over Jacob (Genesis 29:35). Leah's acceptance of this offer, in turn, shows her desperation to become pregnant again, as well as her eagerness to spend more time with Jacob.

Genesis 30:1–24 describes the birth of eight more sons to Jacob, as well as one daughter. While Rachel remains barren, her servant woman bears to Jacob two sons. Then Leah's servant woman does so, as well. Next, Leah herself has three more children. Then, finally, God remembers Rachel. She gives birth to Joseph, giving him a name that is essentially a prayer for another son to follow. As the section ends, Jacob now has 11 sons, at least one daughter, and a plan to return home to his own people.

God alone gives children. He causes babies to be born. He even determines what color baby sheep and goats will be. Genesis 30 describes the urgent desire of Rachel and Leah to have sons for Jacob and how God hears and grants their prayers in His own time. In addition, God blesses Jacob's unusual breeding practices with Laban's flocks to finally allow Jacob to overcome his father-in-law's schemes to keep Jacob under his service.

In the previous chapter, Laban tricked Jacob both into marrying Leah along with Rachel and into working for him as a servant for a total of fourteen years. God blessed unloved Leah by allowing her to bear four sons to Jacob. As this chapter opens, Rachel remains barren while Leah and both of their servant women continue to bear sons. Finally God answers Rachel's prayer, allowing her to bear Joseph. His contract completed, Jacob demands Laban send him away to his own people. Laban refuses, asking Jacob to set new terms for his service. Jacob's deal, along with the Lord's blessing and his unusual breeding practices with the flocks, results in Jacob becoming a wealthy man in his own right. This wealth and power will enable him to finally break free and return home.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.