ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Genesis 30

Gen. 30:3–8 Because of her barrenness, Rachel offers Jacob her servant Bilhah as a substitute wife (v. 3). This was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern culture. Abraham and Sarah had also followed this custom (see 16:1–4). Children born to the second wife were regarded as belonging to the first wife, preserving the family line. Therefore, Rachel names the two boys born to Bilhah (30:6, 8).

Gen. 30:14–16 Leah buys from Rachel the right to lie with Jacob. Having agreed to this with her sister, she says to Jacob, I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes. The context suggests Rachel may have viewed the plant as increasing fertility.

Gen. 30:17–21 Once more (see note on 29:32–35), the names of the sons reflect events surrounding their births.

Gen. 30:22–24 God remembered Rachel. On God’s “remembering,” see note on 8:1. God has taken away my reproach. A woman’s inability to bear children could be interpreted as divine disapproval. Joseph’s name is derived from a remark made by his mother; in Hebrew Joseph sounds like the verb “add to.”

Gen. 30:25–31:18 Having completed 14 years of service to Laban, Jacob wants to return to his family in Canaan. Laban, however, is reluctant to lose Jacob’s service, which has brought him considerable wealth.

Gen. 30:27–30 Laban’s use of divination is sinful (see Deut. 18:10), even though the information obtained is accurate. the Lord has blessed me because of you. All the members of the special line descended from Abraham are portrayed as bringing God’s blessing to others. Name your wages. For 14 years Jacob has served Laban to pay the bride-price for Leah and Rachel. Having fulfilled this obligation, which has brought great financial benefit to Laban, Jacob now wants to provide for his own household.

Gen. 30:31–34 As payment for his services, Jacob asks Laban to give him livestock with distinctive markings. Then it would be obvious which animals were Jacob’s and which were Laban’s.

Gen. 30:35 Having agreed on the wages, Laban secretly removes all the animals he had promised to Jacob and gives them to his sons.

Gen. 30:37–39 To produce more speckled and spotted sheep and goats, Jacob manipulates the breeding process. Scholars differ as to how Jacob is using sticks with peeled white streaks in them to do this.

Gen. 30:41–42 Jacob ensures that the striped, speckled, and spotted sheep and goats come from the best animals in Laban’s flocks.

Gen. 30:43 Having arrived in Paddan-aram with only his staff (see 32:10), Jacob has become very rich. His possessions resemble earlier summaries of Abraham’s wealth (see 12:16; 24:35).