Jacob’s Children – Genesis 29:31-30:24

“Mandrakes” play a role in this part of Jacob’s life.  Walton writes: “The mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) is a stemless, perennial root in the potato family that grows in stony ground. It has narcotic and purgative properties, which explain its medicinal use. Its shape and pungent fragrance may be the origin of its use in fertility rites and as an aphrodisiac (see Song 7:12 – 13). It has dark green, wrinkled leaves, from which rise a violet, bell-shaped flower. Its fruit is a yellowish berry approximately the size of a small tomato, which can be consumed.  The mandrake is native to the Mediterranean region but not common in Mesopotamia. In fact, M. Zohary claims that they have never grown in Mesopotamia and concludes that the Hebrew dudaʾim must be a different plant believed to have similar qualities.”  Whatever the plant referred to in this passage, it is Yahweh, not the plant, who determines the birth of children.

[31] When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. [32] And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” [33] She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. [34] Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. [35] And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

[1] When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” [2] Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” [3] 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.” [4] So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. [5] And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. [6] Then Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. [7] Rachel’s servant Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. [8] Then Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.

[9] When Leah saw that she had ceased bearing children, she took her servant Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife. [10] Then Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. [11] And Leah said, “Good fortune has come!” so she called his name Gad. [12] Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. [13] And Leah said, “Happy am I! For women have called me happy.” So she called his name Asher.

[14] In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” [15] But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” [16] When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night. [17] And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. [18] Leah said, “God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar.

[19] And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. [20] Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun. [21] Afterward she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah.

[22] Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. [23] She conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” [24] And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the LORD add to me another son!” (Genesis 29:31-30:24, ESV)

The sad character of Jacob’s marriage to two women, one of whom is loved and the other is not, is played out in their bearing of children.  Leah, the unloved wife, is shown compassion by Yahweh who enables her to bear Jacob three sons, Reuben, Levi and Judah.  She hopes this will bond Jacob to her, but it doesn’t seem to be the case.  Rachel, suffering the reproach of not having children and envious of her sister, demands children from Jacob, who of course has no power to accomplish that, and follows a custom of the day to give her servant to Jacob as a wife to bear children that are considered her children.  Bilhah, the servant, bears Dan and Naphtali, and Rachel feels vindicated.

Leah has stopped having children, but learns from Rachel’s approach, and gives her servant Zilpah to Jacob as wife, who bears him Gad and Asher.  When Leah’s son Reuben finds mandrakes in the field, which are believed to help with pregnancy, Rachel purchases them with agreement to let Jacob sleep with Leah (apparently his love for Rachel has made him more exclusive with her).  Amazingly, without the mandrakes, Leah is once again able to bear children, and gives Jacob Issachar, Zebulun, and a daughter, Dinah.

Finally, Yahweh grants a child to Rachel, named Joseph, and we see the foundation of Jacob’s large family (Benjamin will later be born to Rachel).  Despite all the dysfunction of Jacob’s family, God has been at work.  As the NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible says, “God is at work in the mystery and mess of human life.”  It is so true, in the lives of these Biblical personalities and in our lives, too.