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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />Then Rachel said, &#8220I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.&#8221 So she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/30.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Rachel named him Naphtali, for she said, “I have struggled hard with my sister, and I’m winning!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/30.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Rachel said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/30.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/30.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Rachel said, “With great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, <i>and</i> indeed I have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Rachel said, “<i>With</i> mighty wrestling I have wrestled with my sister, <i>and</i> I have indeed prevailed.” And she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Rachel said, &#8220With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and I have indeed prevailed.&#8221 And she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, <i>and</i> I have indeed prevailed.” And she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, <i>and</i> I have indeed prevailed.” And she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings [in prayer to God] I have struggled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she named him Naphtali (my wrestlings).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rachel said, “In my wrestlings with God, I have wrestled with my sister and won,” and she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rachel said, &#8220In my wrestlings with God, I have wrestled with my sister and won,&#8221 and she named him Naphtali. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/30.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Rachel said, With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Rachel said, "I've struggled hard with my sister, and I've won!" So she named the boy Naphtali. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/30.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Rachel said, With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Rachel said, "I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won!" So she named him Naphtali [My Struggle]. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/30.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Rachel said, "I have fought a hard fight with my sister, but I have won"; so she named him Naphtali. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/30.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />so Rachel said, "I've been through a mighty struggle with my sister and won." She named him Naphtali. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Rachel said, ?In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.? So she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/30.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Rachel said, "I have fought a desperate struggle with my sister, but I have won." So she named him Naphtali. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Rachel said, "I have wrestled mightily with my sister, and have prevailed." So she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/30.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Rachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Rachel says, “With wrestlings of God I have wrestled with my sister, indeed, I have prevailed”; and she calls his name Napthali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Rachel saith, 'With wrestlings of God I have wrestled with my sister, yea, I have prevailed;' and she calleth his name Napthali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Rachel will say, The wrestlings of God I wrestled with my sister; also I was able. And she will call his name Naphtali.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For whom Rachel said: God hath compared me with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called him Nephtali. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />about whom Rachel said, “God has compared me with my sister, and I have prevailed.” And she called him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/30.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and Rachel said, “I have wrestled strenuously with my sister, and I have prevailed.” So she named him Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed”; so she named him Naphtali.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Rachel said, I have besought the LORD, and pleaded with my sister, and I have attained my desire; and she called his name Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Rakhyl said, “I begged of LORD JEHOVAH and I prayed with my sister and also I have found”, and she called his name Naphtali.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Rachel said: 'With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed.' And she called his name Naphtali.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Rachel said, God has helped me, and I contended with my sister and prevailed; and she called his name, Nephthalim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/30-8.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=7249" 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">Dan and Naphtali</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>And Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7354.htm" title="7354: rā·ḥêl (N-proper-fs) -- A wife of Jacob. The same as rachel; Rachel, a wife of Jacob.">Then Rachel</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5319.htm" title="5319: nap̄·tū·lê (N-mpc) -- Wrestlings. From pathal; properly, wrestled; but ued transitively, a struggle.">“In my great struggles,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God"></a> <a href="/hebrew/6617.htm" title="6617: nip̄·tal·tî (V-Nifal-Perf-1cs) -- To twist. A primitive root; to twine, i.e. to struggle or be tortuous.">I have wrestled</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: ’ă·ḥō·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">my sister</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: yā·ḵō·lə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally.">won.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: wat·tiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">So she named</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/5321.htm" title="5321: nap̄·tā·lî (N-proper-ms) -- From pathal; my wrestling; Naphtali, a son of Jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">Naphtali.</a> </span><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/29-30.htm">Genesis 29:30-31</a></span><br />Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. / 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/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Genesis 21:6-7</a></span><br />Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.” / She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-21.htm">Genesis 25:21-22</a></span><br />Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. / But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-22.htm">Genesis 49:22-26</a></span><br />Joseph is a fruitful vine—a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. / The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility. / Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-12.htm">Exodus 1:12</a></span><br />But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-5.htm">1 Samuel 1:5-6</a></span><br />But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-5.htm">1 Samuel 2:5</a></span><br />The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/113-9.htm">Psalm 113:9</a></span><br />He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Psalm 127:3-5</a></span><br />Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. / Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. / Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Isaiah 54:1</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Romans 9:10-12</a></span><br />Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-9</a></span><br />Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-23</a></span><br />For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Galatians 4:27</a></span><br />For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.</p><p class="hdg">great wrestlings.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/23-6.htm">Genesis 23:6</a></b></br> Hear us, my lord: thou <i>art</i> a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24</a></b></br> And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/9-28.htm">Exodus 9:28</a></b></br> Intreat the LORD (for <i>it is</i> enough) that there be no <i>more</i> mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.</p><p class="hdg">and she.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-25.htm">Genesis 35:25</a></b></br> And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/46-24.htm">Genesis 46:24</a></b></br> And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-21.htm">Genesis 49:21</a></b></br> Naphtali <i>is</i> a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.</p><p class="hdg">Naphtali.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24,25</a></b></br> And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Matthew 4:13</a></b></br> And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:</p><p class="hdg">Nephthalim.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/30-7.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/26-21.htm">Fight</a> <a href="/genesis/29-2.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/30-6.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/27-37.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/revelation/7-6.htm">Naphtali</a> <a href="/revelation/7-6.htm">Naph'tali</a> <a href="/genesis/27-38.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/genesis/7-24.htm">Prevailed</a> <a href="/genesis/30-6.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/25-22.htm">Struggle</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">Won</a> <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Wrestled</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/30-17.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Fight</a> <a href="/genesis/30-43.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/30-16.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/49-24.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/genesis/35-25.htm">Naphtali</a> <a href="/genesis/35-25.htm">Naph'tali</a> <a href="/genesis/32-25.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/genesis/32-25.htm">Prevailed</a> <a href="/genesis/30-14.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/genesis/34-13.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Struggle</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-13.htm">Won</a> <a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Wrestled</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>Then Rachel said,</b><br>Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, speaks here. Her words reflect the intense personal and familial dynamics within Jacob's household. Rachel's struggle for children is a central theme in her story, highlighting the cultural importance of childbearing in ancient times. Her statement is a response to the birth of a son through her maidservant Bilhah, whom she gave to Jacob as a wife to bear children on her behalf.<p><b>“In my great struggles,</b><br>The phrase "great struggles" indicates the emotional and spiritual battles Rachel faced. Her struggle is not only with her sister Leah but also with her own feelings of inadequacy and desire for validation through motherhood. This reflects the broader biblical theme of human struggle and reliance on God for deliverance, as seen in the lives of other patriarchs and matriarchs.<p><b>I have wrestled with my sister and won.”</b><br>Rachel's rivalry with Leah is a significant aspect of the narrative. Leah, who was less favored by Jacob, bore him several sons, which increased her status. Rachel's declaration of victory is symbolic, as it comes through the birth of a child by her maidservant, not by herself. This reflects the complex family dynamics and the cultural practice of surrogacy in the ancient Near East. The theme of wrestling is echoed in Jacob's later encounter with God in <a href="/genesis/32.htm">Genesis 32</a>, where he physically wrestles with the angel.<p><b>So she named him Naphtali.</b><br>The name Naphtali means "my struggle" or "my wrestling," directly reflecting Rachel's words and experiences. Naming in the Bible often carries prophetic or symbolic significance, and here it encapsulates Rachel's personal journey and the ongoing narrative of the tribes of Israel. Naphtali would become one of the twelve tribes, and his descendants would settle in the northern region of Canaan. This tribe's future is alluded to in Jacob's blessing in <a href="/genesis/49-21.htm">Genesis 49:21</a>, where Naphtali is described as a "doe set free," symbolizing freedom and fruitfulness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>The beloved wife of Jacob, who struggled with infertility and competed with her sister Leah for Jacob's affection and for bearing children.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/leah.htm">Leah</a></b><br>Rachel's sister and Jacob's first wife, who bore several children and was in a constant rivalry with Rachel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The patriarch who fathered the twelve tribes of Israel, married to both Leah and Rachel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/naphtali.htm">Naphtali</a></b><br>The son of Jacob and Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, whom Rachel claimed as her own in her struggle with Leah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/bilhah.htm">Bilhah</a></b><br>Rachel's maidservant, given to Jacob as a concubine to bear children on Rachel's behalf.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_struggle_for_identity_and_worth.htm">The Struggle for Identity and Worth</a></b><br>Rachel's declaration of wrestling with her sister reflects a deep-seated struggle for identity and worth, which many people face today. In Christ, we find our true identity and worth, not in competition with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_our_struggles.htm">God's Sovereignty in Our Struggles</a></b><br>Rachel's account reminds us that God is sovereign over our struggles and desires. Even when we feel like we are wrestling with circumstances or people, God is working out His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_comparison.htm">The Dangers of Comparison</a></b><br>Rachel's rivalry with Leah highlights the dangers of comparing ourselves to others. This can lead to envy and dissatisfaction. Instead, we should focus on the unique path God has for each of us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_timing.htm">Faith in God's Timing</a></b><br>Rachel's eventual blessing of children teaches us to trust in God's timing. Our impatience can lead to unnecessary strife, but faith in God's plan brings peace.<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/why_is_the_tribe_of_naphtali_important.htm">What is the significance of the Tribe of Naphtali?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_issachar's_role_among_jacob's_sons.htm">Who was Naphtali in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_naphtali_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Naphtali in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_work.htm">Who are the Sons of Jacob?</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>(8) <span class= "bld">With great wrestlings.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">wrestlings of God, </span>but the Authorised Version undoubtedly gives the right sense. (See Note on <a href="/genesis/23-6.htm" title="Hear us, my lord: you are a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchers bury your dead; none of us shall withhold from you his sepulcher, but that you may bury your dead.">Genesis 23:6</a>.) By <span class= "ital">wrestling, </span>some commentators understand prayer, but the connection of the two ideas of wrestling and prayer is taken from <a href="/genesis/32-24.htm" title="And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.">Genesis 32:24</a>, where an entirely different verb is used. Rachel's was a discreditable victory, won by making use of a bad custom, and it consisted in weaning her husband still more completely from the unloved Leah. Now that Bilhah and children were added to the attractiveness of her tent, her sister, she boasts, will be thought of no more.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/30-8.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">Then Rachel</span><br /><span class="heb">רָחֵ֗ל</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7354.htm">Strong's 7354: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rachel -- a wife of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“In my great struggles,</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְתּוּלֵ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·tū·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5319.htm">Strong's 5319: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrestled, a struggle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have wrestled</span><br /><span class="heb">נִפְתַּ֛לְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(nip̄·tal·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6617.htm">Strong's 6617: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twine, to struggle, be, tortuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִם־</span> <span class="translit">(‘im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my sister</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲחֹתִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥō·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">won.”</span><br /><span class="heb">יָכֹ֑לְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḵō·lə·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be able, have power</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So she named</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּקְרָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Naphtali.</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְתָּלִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·tā·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5321.htm">Strong's 5321: </a> </span><span class="str2">Naphtali -- a son of Jacob, also his descendants and the district settled by them</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/30-8.htm">Genesis 30:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/30-8.htm">OT Law: Genesis 30:8 Rachel said With mighty wrestlings have (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/30-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 30:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/30-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 30:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:9" /></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>