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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 30:3 Then she said, "Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/30-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/01_Gen_30_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 30:3 - Dan and Naphtali" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then she said, Here is my maidservant Bilhah. 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Sleep with her so that she can bear children for me and I too can build a family through her.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/30.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Rachel told him, “Take my maid, Bilhah, and sleep with her. She will bear children for me, and through her I can have a family, too.” <a href="/esv/genesis/30.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/30.htm">King James Bible</a> And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/30.htm">New King James Version</a> So she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then she said, “Here is my female slave Bilhah: have relations with her that she may give birth on my knees, so that by her I too may obtain a child.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1995</a> She said, &#8220Here is my maid Bilhah, go in to her that she may bear on my knees, that through her I too may have children.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah, go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, that through her I too may have children.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah, go in to her that she may bear on my knees, that through her I too may obtain children.” <a href="/amp/genesis/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a> She said, “Here, take my maid Bilhah and go in to her; and [when the baby comes] she shall deliver it [while sitting] on my knees, so that by her I may also have children [to count as my own].” <a href="/csb/genesis/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah. Go sleep with her, and she’ll bear children for me so that through her I too can build a family.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then she said, &#8220Here is my slave Bilhah. Go sleep with her, and she&#8217ll bear children for me so that through her I too can build a family.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/30.htm">American Standard Version</a> And she said, Behold, my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; that she may bear upon my knees, and I also may obtain children by her. <a href="/cev/genesis/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Here, take my servant Bilhah," Rachel told him. "Have children by her, and I'll let them be born on my knees to show that they are mine." <a href="/erv/genesis/30.htm">English Revised Version</a> And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; that she may bear upon my knees, and I also may obtain children by her. <a href="/gwt/genesis/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> She said, "Here's my servant Bilhah. Sleep with her. She can have children for me, and I can build a family for myself through her." <a href="/gnt/genesis/30.htm">Good News Translation</a> She said, "Here is my slave Bilhah; sleep with her, so that she can have a child for me. In this way I can become a mother through her." <a href="/isv/genesis/30.htm">International Standard Version</a> Rachel responded, "Here's my handmaid Bilhah. Go have sex with her. She can bear children on my knees so I can have children through her." <a href="/msb/genesis/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then she said, ?Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.? <a href="/net/genesis/30.htm">NET Bible</a> She replied, "Here is my servant Bilhah! Have sexual relations with her so that she can bear children for me and I can have a family through her." <a href="/nheb/genesis/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> She said, "Look, my servant Bilhah. Sleep with her, so that she will bear children for me, that I too may have children through her." <a href="/wbt/genesis/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And she said, Behold, my maid Bilhah, go in to her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. <a href="/web/genesis/30.htm">World English Bible</a> She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And she says, “Behold, my handmaid Bilhah, go in to her, and she bears on my knees, and I am built up, even I, from her”; <a href="/ylt/genesis/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And she saith, 'Lo, my handmaid Bilhah, go in unto her, and she doth bear on my knees, and I am built up, even I, from her;' <a href="/slt/genesis/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And she will say, Behold my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she shall bring forth upon my knees, and I also shall be built from her.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But she said: I have here my servant Bala: go in unto her, that she may bear upon my knees, and I may have children by her. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But she said: “I have a handmaid Bilhah. Go in to her, so that she may give birth upon my knees, and I may have sons by her.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/30.htm">New American Bible</a> She replied, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Have intercourse with her, and let her give birth on my knees, so that I too may have children through her.” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, that she may bear upon my knees and that I too may have children through her.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then she said to him, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also be comforted by her. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And she said to him, “Here is my maid Balha; go in upon her and she shall bear on my knees and I shall be comforted, even I, by her.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And she said: 'Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; that she may bear upon my knees, and I also may be builded up through her.' <a href="/sep/genesis/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Rachel said to Jacob, Behold my handmaid Balla, go in to her, and she shall bear upon my knees, and I also shall have children by her. <a href="/parallel/genesis/30-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7216" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Dan and Naphtali</a> …2Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” 3<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Then she said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Here</a> <a href="/hebrew/519.htm" title="519: ’ă·mā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A maid, handmaid. Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or female slave.">is my maidservant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1090.htm" title="1090: ḇil·hāh (N-proper-fs) -- Bilhah -- a concubine of Jacob. From balahh; timid; Bilhah, the name of one of Jacob's concubines; also of a place in Palestine.">Bilhah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bō (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">Sleep with</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- To, into, towards. ">her,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: wə·ṯê·lêḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">that she may bear children</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1290.htm" title="1290: bir·kay (N-fdc:: 1cs) -- The knee. From barak; a knee.">for me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">so that through her</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">too</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: wə·’ib·bā·neh (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjImperf.h-1cs) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">can build a family.”</a> 4So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a> 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. <a href="/genesis/29-24.htm">Genesis 29:24</a> And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant. <a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Genesis 29:29</a> Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a> 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: <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1-4</a> 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. ... <a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10-12</a> 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. <a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1-6</a> 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. ... <a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">Genesis 38:8</a> Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.” <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7-11</a> And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do. / If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. / And if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her as with a daughter. ... <a href="/1_samuel/1-1.htm">1 Samuel 1:1-2</a> Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. / He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. <a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">1 Samuel 1:10-11</a> In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” <a href="/1_samuel/2-20.htm">1 Samuel 2:20-21</a> And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.” Then they would go home. / So the LORD attended to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. <a href="/ruth/4-11.htm">Ruth 4:11</a> “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem. <a href="/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12</a> Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed? <a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Isaiah 54:1</a> “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in to her; and she shall bear on my knees, that I may also have children by her.Behold.<a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9</a> When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.<a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2,3</a> And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai… she shall.<a href="/genesis/50-23.htm">Genesis 50:23</a> And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.<a href="/job/3-12.htm">Job 3:12</a> Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?have children by her.<a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a> And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.<a href="/ruth/4-11.htm">Ruth 4:11</a> And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Bilhah</a> <a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Build</a> <a href="/genesis/26-25.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/genesis/26-25.htm">Built</a> <a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/30-2.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/24-41.htm">Family</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-12.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Obtain</a> <a href="/genesis/28-4.htm">Order</a> <a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/28-16.htm">Sleep</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/31-39.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/30-4.htm">Bilhah</a> <a href="/genesis/35-1.htm">Build</a> <a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/genesis/33-17.htm">Built</a> <a href="/genesis/30-5.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/31-23.htm">Family</a> <a href="/genesis/48-12.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/genesis/30-4.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/genesis/30-4.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-10.htm">Obtain</a> <a href="/genesis/36-30.htm">Order</a> <a href="/genesis/30-4.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/30-16.htm">Sleep</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 30</div>1. <a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.</a> 5. <a href="/genesis/30-5.htm">Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.</a> 9. <a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.</a> 14. <a href="/genesis/30-14.htm">Reuben finds mandrakes, </a> 15. <a href="/genesis/30-15.htm">with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.</a> 17. <a href="/genesis/30-17.htm">Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.</a> 22. <a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Rachel bears Joseph.</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/30-25.htm">Jacob desires to depart.</a> 27. <a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Laban detains him on a new agreement.</a> 37. <a href="/genesis/30-37.htm">Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, it was common for a barren wife to offer her maidservant to her husband as a surrogate to bear children on her behalf. This practice is also seen with Sarah and Hagar in <a href="/genesis/16.htm">Genesis 16</a>. Maidservants were often considered part of the household and could be given to the husband to produce heirs.Sleep with her, The act of a husband sleeping with a maidservant to produce offspring was a socially accepted solution to infertility in the patriarchal society. This reflects the importance placed on lineage and inheritance, as well as the desperation felt by women like Rachel to fulfill their roles as mothers.that she may bear children for me, Rachel's desire for children through Bilhah highlights the deep personal and societal pressure to produce offspring. Children were seen as a blessing and a sign of divine favor, and a woman's status was often tied to her ability to bear children.so that through her I too can build a family.” Rachel's statement underscores the concept of surrogacy in the ancient world, where children born to a maidservant were legally considered the children of the wife. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God working through human actions and decisions, even those that deviate from His original design for marriage. The narrative also foreshadows the complex family dynamics and sibling rivalries that will arise, particularly between the sons of Leah and Rachel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a> The beloved wife of Jacob, who is barren and desperate to have children. Her actions reflect the cultural practices of her time. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> The patriarch who is caught in the familial and cultural dynamics of his wives' rivalry and the desire for offspring. 3. <a href="/topical/b/bilhah.htm">Bilhah</a> Rachel's maidservant, given to Jacob as a surrogate to bear children on Rachel's behalf. 4. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_practice.htm">Cultural Practice</a> The use of a maidservant as a surrogate was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, reflecting the importance of lineage and inheritance. 5. <a href="/topical/f/family_dynamics.htm">Family Dynamics</a> The ongoing rivalry between Rachel and her sister Leah, both wives of Jacob, which influences their decisions and actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_and_god's_plan.htm">Cultural Context and God's Plan</a> Understanding the cultural practices of the time helps us see how God's plan unfolds despite human actions and societal norms. <a href="/topical/d/desperation_and_faith.htm">Desperation and Faith</a> Rachel's desperation led her to take matters into her own hands. This invites reflection on how we handle our own desperation and whether we trust God in difficult circumstances. <a href="/topical/f/family_dynamics_and_rivalry.htm">Family Dynamics and Rivalry</a> The account highlights the destructive nature of rivalry and jealousy within families, encouraging us to seek peace and unity. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Despite human schemes, God's sovereignty is evident. He works through imperfect situations to fulfill His promises. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_women.htm">The Role of Women</a> The account invites us to consider the roles and treatment of women in biblical times and how God values each person.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 30</a> <a href="/q/what_do_the_7_lampstands_symbolize.htm">Who was Bilhah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_allow_concubines_in_the_bible.htm">Why did God permit concubines in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_bilhah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Bilhah in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_polygamy_allowed_in_the_bible.htm">Why was polygamy permitted in the Bible?</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>(3) Behold my maid Bilhah.--Rachel had little excuse for this action; for there was no religious hope involved, as when Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham (<a href="/genesis/16-2.htm" title="And Sarai said to Abram, Behold now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing: I pray you, go in to my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.">Genesis 16:2</a>), but solely vexation at her own barrenness, and envy of her sister. All that can be said in her defence is, that the custom existed, and, perhaps, because it was distasteful to the wife, was looked upon as meritorious (<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>).She shall bear upon my knees.--So in <a href="/genesis/1-23.htm" title="And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.">Genesis 1:23</a>, it is said, in the Hebrew, that "the children of Machir were born upon Joseph's knees," not borne, as in our margin. It appears that there was a custom of placing the new-born child upon the knees, first of the father, who, by accepting it. acknowledged the infant as his own; and secondly, upon those of the mother. In this case, as Bilhah's children were regarded as legally born of Rachel, they would be placed upon Rachel's knees. Probably, too, the children of Machir, by being placed upon Joseph's knees, were in some way adopted by him.That I may also have children by her.--Heb., be built by her. (See Note on <a href="/genesis/16-2.htm" title="And Sarai said to Abram, Behold now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing: I pray you, go in to my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.">Genesis 16:2</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - And she said, - resorting to the sinful expedient of Sarah (<a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a>), though without Sarah's excuse, since there was no question whatever about an heir for Jacob; which, even if there had been, would not have justified a practice which, in the case of her distinguished relative, had been so palpably condemned - Behold my maid Bilhah (vide <a href="/genesis/29-29.htm">Genesis 29:29</a>), go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, - i.e. children that I may place upon my knees, as mothers do (Piscator, A Lapide, Calvin, Rosenmüller, Lange, Ainsworth); the literal sense of the words being too absurd to require refutation - that I may also have children - literally, be builded up (cf. <a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a>) - by her. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/30-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then she said, וַתֹּ֕אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Here הִנֵּ֛ה (hin·nêh) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! is my maidservant אֲמָתִ֥י (’ă·mā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_519.htm">Strong's 519: </a> A maidservant, female slave Bilhah. בִלְהָ֖ה (ḇil·hāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1090.htm">Strong's 1090: </a> Bilhah -- a concubine of Jacob Sleep with בֹּ֣א (bō) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go her, אֵלֶ֑יהָ (’ê·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to and she will bear children וְתֵלֵד֙ (wə·ṯê·lêḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage [for me], בִּרְכַּ֔י (bir·kay) Noun - fdc | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1290.htm">Strong's 1290: </a> The knee so that through her מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ (mim·men·nāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of I אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> I too גַם־ (ḡam-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and can build a family.” וְאִבָּנֶ֥ה (wə·’ib·bā·neh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> To build <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 30:3 She said Behold my maid Bilhah (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/30-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 30:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/30-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 30:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:4" /></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>