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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/30.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/30.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Leah realized that she wasn’t getting pregnant anymore, so she took her servant, Zilpah, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/30.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/30.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/30.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her slave Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took her maid Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took her maid Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, so she took her servant-woman Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing [children], she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as a [secondary] wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her slave Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her slave Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/30.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had left off bearing, she took Zilpah her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When Leah realized she could not have any more children, she let Jacob marry her servant Zilpah, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/30.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her slave Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/30.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When Leah realized that she had stopped having children, she gave her slave Zilpah to Jacob as his wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/30.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing children, she took her woman servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/30.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah, her maid, and gave her Jacob for a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/30.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Leah sees that she has ceased from bearing, and she takes Zilpah her maidservant, and gives her to Jacob for a wife;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Leah seeth that she hath ceased from bearing, and she taketh Zilpah her maid-servant, and giveth her to Jacob for a wife;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Leah will see that she stood from bringing forth, and she will take Zilpah her maid and will give her to Jacob for a wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Lia, perceiving that she had left off bearing, gave Zelpha her handmaid to her husband. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Leah, perceiving that she had desisted from child-bearing, delivered Zilpah, her handmaid, to her husband.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/30.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had ceased to bear children, she took her maidservant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her maid Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her maid Zilpah, and gave her to Jacob to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Leah saw that she ceased from child bearing and she brought Zelpha her Handmaid and she gave her as a wife to Yaquuv.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had left off bearing, she took Zilpah her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob to wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Lea saw that she ceased from bearing, and she took Zelpha her maid, and gave her to Jacob for a wife; and he went in to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/30-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7258" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Gad and Asher</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3812.htm" title="3812: lê·’āh (N-proper-fs) -- Weary, a wife of Jacob. From la'ah; weary; Leah, a wife of Jacob.">When Leah</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: wat·tê·re (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ‘ā·mə·ḏāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">she had stopped</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: mil·le·ḏeṯ (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">having children,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wat·tiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wat·tit·tên (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">she gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8198.htm" title="8198: šip̄·ḥā·ṯāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- Maid, maidservant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out; a female slave.">her servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/2153.htm" title="2153: zil·pāh (N-proper-fs) -- One of Jacob's wives.: from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid.">Zilpah</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">to Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: lə·’iš·šāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">as a wife.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>And Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1-4</a></span><br />Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. / So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-31.htm">Genesis 29:31</a></span><br />When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22-26</a></span><br />While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons: / The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. / The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-13.htm">Genesis 49:13</a></span><br />Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10-13</a></span><br />and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” / Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael. / But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1-6</a></span><br />Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-15.htm">Genesis 16:15</a></span><br />And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-3</a></span><br />Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. / And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Genesis 24:60</a></span><br />And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-24.htm">Genesis 29:24</a></span><br />And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Genesis 29:29</a></span><br />Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-7.htm">Exodus 1:7</a></span><br />but the Israelites were fruitful and increased rapidly; they multiplied and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2</a></span><br />He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-20.htm">1 Samuel 1:20</a></span><br />So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/7-13.htm">1 Chronicles 7:13</a></span><br />The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum—the descendants of Bilhah.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-17.htm">Genesis 30:17</a></b></br> And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Genesis 29:35</a></b></br> And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.</p><p class="hdg">gave her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-4.htm">Genesis 30:4</a></b></br> And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-3.htm">Genesis 16:3</a></b></br> And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/28-8.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/genesis/29-28.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Leah</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Time</a> <a href="/genesis/30-4.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/genesis/29-24.htm">Zilpah</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/genesis/41-49.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/genesis/30-26.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/31-5.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/genesis/41-30.htm">Finished</a> <a href="/genesis/30-10.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-10.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/30-11.htm">Leah</a> <a href="/genesis/30-10.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-10.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/genesis/30-10.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/41-49.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/genesis/30-14.htm">Time</a> <a href="/genesis/34-4.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/genesis/30-10.htm">Zilpah</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 30</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-5.htm">Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-14.htm">Reuben finds mandrakes, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-15.htm">with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-17.htm">Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Rachel bears Joseph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-25.htm">Jacob desires to depart.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Laban detains him on a new agreement.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-37.htm">Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/30.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/30.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When Leah saw that she had stopped having children</b><br>Leah, the first wife of Jacob, had initially been blessed with several sons, which was a sign of favor and status in the ancient Near Eastern culture. Her ability to bear children was a source of pride and a means to secure her position in the family. The cessation of her childbearing could have been seen as a divine intervention or a natural pause, reflecting the ebb and flow of fertility common in biblical narratives. This moment of barrenness echoes the experiences of other matriarchs like Sarah and Rachel, highlighting the theme of God's sovereignty over the womb.<p><b>she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife</b><br>In the cultural context of the time, it was customary for a wife who could not bear children to offer her maidservant to her husband as a surrogate. This practice is seen earlier with Sarah and Hagar. Leah's decision to give Zilpah to Jacob reflects the intense rivalry with her sister Rachel, who had already given her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob. The term "wife" here indicates a secondary status, as Zilpah would not have the same rights as Leah or Rachel. This act underscores the complexities of family dynamics and the lengths to which individuals would go to secure their legacy and fulfill societal expectations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/leah.htm">Leah</a></b><br>The first wife of Jacob, who initially bore him several sons. She is the sister of Rachel and the daughter of Laban.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/z/zilpah.htm">Zilpah</a></b><br>Leah's maidservant, whom Leah gives to Jacob as a wife to bear more children on her behalf.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The patriarch who is married to both Leah and Rachel, and through whom the twelve tribes of Israel are established.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>Leah's sister and Jacob's second wife, who also struggles with infertility and later follows a similar course of action by giving her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>The father of Leah and Rachel, who plays a significant role in the earlier chapters of Genesis, particularly in the marriage arrangements of his daughters.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/human_schemes_vs._divine_plans.htm">Human Schemes vs. Divine Plans</a></b><br>Leah's decision to give Zilpah to Jacob reflects a human attempt to control circumstances rather than trusting in God's timing and provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rivalry.htm">The Consequences of Rivalry</a></b><br>The ongoing competition between Leah and Rachel serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of envy and rivalry within families.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_family_dynamics.htm">God's Sovereignty in Family Dynamics</a></b><br>Despite human manipulation, God uses the complex family dynamics to fulfill His promise to Abraham, showing His sovereignty over human affairs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_adversity.htm">The Role of Faith in Adversity</a></b><br>Leah's actions can prompt reflection on how we respond to challenges—do we rely on our own understanding, or do we seek God's guidance?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_contentment.htm">The Value of Contentment</a></b><br>Leah's account encourages believers to find contentment in God's provision rather than striving for human approval or success.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 30</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_dinah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Dinah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_gad_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Gad in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_zilpah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Zilpah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_the_tribe_of_asher_important.htm">What is the significance of the Tribe of Asher?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/30.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9-13) <span class= "bld">Leah </span>. . . <span class= "bld">took Zilpah . . . --</span>By ceasing to bear, Leah had lost her one hold upon her husband's affection, and to regain it she follows Rachel's example. The struggle of these two women for the husband gives us a strange picture of manners and morals, but must not be judged by our standard. Leah herself regards the bestowal of her handmaid upon Jacob as a deserving act of self-sacrifice (<a href="/genesis/30-18.htm" title="And Leah said, God has given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.">Genesis 30:18</a>). The names, moreover, which she gives to Zilpah's children show that the happier frame of mind to which she had attained when she called her fourth son "Judah," <span class= "ital">praise, </span>remained unbroken. On the birth of the first, she says, "With good luck!" and calls his name "Gad," that is, <span class= "ital">luck. </span>The Jews read, in their synagogue, <span class= "ital">Luck cometh, </span>whence the rendering of the Authorised Version, "A troop cometh;" but there is no justification for the change. With regard to the meaning of the word "Gad," all the Versions render it <span class= "ital">prosperity, good fortune. </span>Nor is the Samaritan, as has been alleged, an exception; for though the worthless Latin translation of it has "a troop cometh," the Samaritan itself has <span class= "ital">with good luck. </span>In <a href="/isaiah/65-11.htm" title="But you are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering to that number.">Isaiah 65:11</a> we find Gad used as the name of an idol. Zilpah's other son is called Asher, that is, <span class= "ital">happy, </span>in Latin Felix, and Leah says, "With my happiness," using just the same turn of speech as before. The first child came bringing <span class= "ital">her </span>good luck; the second brought her happiness.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When Leah saw that she had left bearing</span> (literally, <span class="accented">stood from bearing</span>, as in <a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Genesis 29:35</a>), <span class="cmt_word">she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her to Jacob to wife</span> - being in this led astray by Rachel's sinful example, both as to the spirit of unholy rivalry she cherished, and the questionable means she employed for its gratification. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/30-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When Leah</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(lê·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3812.htm">Strong's 3812: </a> </span><span class="str2">Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּ֣רֶא</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·re)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she had stopped</span><br /><span class="heb">עָמְדָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·mə·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stand, in various relations</span><br /><br /><span class="word">having children,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלֶּ֑דֶת</span> <span class="translit">(mil·le·ḏeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she gave</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּתֵּ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her servant</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁפְחָתָ֔הּ</span> <span class="translit">(šip̄·ḥā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8198.htm">Strong's 8198: </a> </span><span class="str2">Maid, maidservant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Zilpah</span><br /><span class="heb">זִלְפָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(zil·pāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2153.htm">Strong's 2153: </a> </span><span class="str2">Zilpah -- one of Jacob's wives</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Jacob</span><br /><span class="heb">לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as a wife.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִשָּֽׁה׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">OT Law: Genesis 30:9 When Leah saw that she had finished (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/30-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 30:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/30-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 30:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>