Genesis 30:3
Genesis 30:3 in Multiple Translations
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.”
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.
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.
Then she said, Here is my servant Bilhah, go in to her, so that she may have a child on my knees, and I may have a family by her.
“Here's my personal maid Bilhah,” Rachel replied. “Sleep with her and she can have children for me so I'll have a family too.”
And she said, Behold my maide Bilhah, goe in to her, and she shall beare vpon my knees, and I shall haue children also by her.
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;'
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.”
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.
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.
Then she said, “Look, here is my female slave, Bilhah. ◄Sleep with/Have sex with► [EUP] her, so that she may become pregnant and give birth to children for me. In that way it will be as though ◄I have children/her children are mine►.”
So Rachel said, “All right, this is what you can do. Look, here is Bilhah, the woman that works for me. I want you to sleep with her, so that she will have babies. Bilhah belongs to me, so if she has babies, those babies will belong to me too. They will be just like my own kids.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 30:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 30:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֹּ֕אמֶר
הִנֵּ֛ה
אֲמָתִ֥/י
בִלְהָ֖ה
בֹּ֣א
אֵלֶ֑י/הָ
וְ/תֵלֵד֙
עַל
בִּרְכַּ֔/י
וְ/אִבָּנֶ֥ה
גַם
אָנֹכִ֖י
מִמֶּֽ/נָּה
וַ/תֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
הִנֵּ֛ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part
אֲמָתִ֥/י
ʼâmâh
H519
maidservant
N-fs | Suff
בִלְהָ֖ה
Bilhâh
H1090
Bilhah
N-proper
בֹּ֣א
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
אֵלֶ֑י/הָ
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
וְ/תֵלֵד֙
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Conj | V-Qal-Juss-3fs
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
בִּרְכַּ֔/י
berek
H1290
knee
N-fd | Suff
וְ/אִבָּנֶ֥ה
bânâh
H1129
to build
Conj | V-Niphal-Imperf-1cs
גַם
gam
H1571
also
Adv
אָנֹכִ֖י
ʼânôkîy
H595
I
Pron
מִמֶּֽ/נָּה
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 30:3
וַ/תֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הִנֵּ֛ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
אֲמָתִ֥/י
ʼâmâh
H519
"maidservant"
N-fs | Suff
A maidservant is a female slave or servant, like the ones mentioned in the stories of Abraham and Sarah in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) maid-servant, female slave, maid, handmaid, concubine 1a) of humility (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant). See also: Genesis 20:17; Judges 9:18; Psalms 86:16.
בִלְהָ֖ה
Bilhâh
H1090
"Bilhah"
N-proper
Bilhah was a concubine of Jacob and also the name of a place in Palestine, meaning troubled. She appears in Genesis 29-30. Bilhah was given to Jacob by his wife Rachel.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.29; married to Israel (H3478); mother of: Dan (H1835H) and Naphtali (H5321) § Bilhah = "troubled" Rachel's handmaid whom she gave to Jacob as a concubine, mother to two of Jacob's children, Dan and Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Bilhah. See also: Genesis 29:29; Genesis 35:22; 1 Chronicles 7:13.
בֹּ֣א
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
אֵלֶ֑י/הָ
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
וְ/תֵלֵד֙
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Conj | V-Qal-Juss-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
בִּרְכַּ֔/י
berek
H1290
"knee"
N-fd | Suff
The knee represents a part of the body used for movement and flexibility. In the Bible, kneeling is often a sign of respect, fear, or weakness. The word for knee is also related to feelings of fear or trembling.
Definition: 1) knee 2) weak from fear (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: be.rekh (בְּרַךְ "knee" H1291)
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: knee. See also: Genesis 30:3; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Psalms 109:24.
וְ/אִבָּנֶ֥ה
bânâh
H1129
"to build"
Conj | V-Niphal-Imperf-1cs
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
גַם
gam
H1571
"also"
Adv
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
אָנֹכִ֖י
ʼânôkîy
H595
"I"
Pron
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Definition: I (first pers. sing.) Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: I, me, [idiom] which. See also: Genesis 3:10; Deuteronomy 11:26; 2 Samuel 3:39.
מִמֶּֽ/נָּה
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
Study Notes — Genesis 30:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 30:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
- Sermons on Genesis 30:3
Context — Dan and Naphtali
1When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.
2Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”
3Then 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.”
4So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her, 5and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 50:23 | He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation, and indeed the sons of Machir son of Manasseh were brought up on Joseph’s knees. |
| 2 | Job 3:12 | Why were there knees to receive me, and breasts that I should be nursed? |
| 3 | Ruth 4:11 | “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. |
| 4 | Genesis 30:9 | When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. |
| 5 | Genesis 16:2–3 | 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. |
Genesis 30:3 Summary
In this verse, Rachel asks Jacob to sleep with her maidservant Bilhah so that she can have children through her. This was a desperate attempt to fulfill her desire for a family, as she felt like she was running out of time. However, this decision shows that Rachel was not trusting in God's plan and timing, as seen in Genesis 29:31. Instead of waiting on God, she took matters into her own hands, which can be a lesson to us today to trust in God's sovereignty and plan for our lives, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What motivated Rachel to ask Jacob to sleep with her maidservant Bilhah?
Rachel's motivation stemmed from her desire to have children, as seen in Genesis 30:1, where she says, 'Give me children, or I will die!' She was willing to use her maidservant as a surrogate to build a family, as stated in Genesis 30:3.
Was Rachel's decision to give Bilhah to Jacob as a wife a common practice in ancient times?
While it may seem unusual to us today, the practice of giving a maidservant to a husband as a secondary wife was not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern cultures, as seen in Genesis 16:1-4, where Sarah gives Hagar to Abraham as a wife.
How does this verse relate to the theme of faith and trust in God's sovereignty?
This verse highlights Rachel's lack of trust in God's sovereignty, as she takes matters into her own hands to achieve her desire for children, rather than waiting on God's timing, as seen in Genesis 29:31, where God sees Rachel's suffering and remembers her.
What can we learn from Rachel's actions in this verse about the dangers of envy and comparison?
Rachel's actions demonstrate the dangers of envy and comparison, as she compares herself to her sister Leah and becomes envious of her ability to bear children, leading her to make a decision that may not have been in line with God's will, as warned against in Galatians 5:26.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am trying to take control and make things happen, rather than trusting in God's sovereignty?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's timing and plan for my life, even when things don't seem to be going as I had hoped?
- What are some ways in which I can avoid the trap of comparison and envy, and instead focus on my own relationship with God and His plan for my life?
- How can I apply the principle of waiting on God, as seen in Psalm 27:14, to my own life and circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:3
And she said,.... in order to pacify Jacob, and explain her meaning to him; which was, not that she thought it was in his power to make her the mother of children, but that he would think of some way
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:3
And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
She shall bear upon my knees; an ellipsis or short speech; She shall bear a child which may be laid upon my knees, or in my lap, which I may adopt and bring up as if it were my own. See . That I may also have children by her; for as servants, so their work and fruit, were not their own, but their masters’ .
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
Genesis 30:3 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.Ver. 3. Behold my maid Bilhah.] Given her by her father on purpose, it may seem; that in case she proved barren, she might be built up by her. So Stratonice, the wife of King Dejotarus, being barren, gave secretly her maid Electra unto her husband; by whom she had an heir to the crown, as Plutarch relateth.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
(3) Behold my maid Bilhàh.—Rachel had little excuse for this action; for there was no religious hope involved, as when Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham (Genesis 16:2), 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 (Genesis 30:18). She shall bear upon my knees.—So in Genesis 1:23, 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 Genesis 16:2.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
Verse 3. She shall bear upon my knees] The handmaid was the sole property of the mistress, as has already been remarked in the case of Hagar; and therefore not only all her labour, but even the children borne by her, were the property of the mistress. These female slaves, therefore, bore children vicariously for their mistresses; and this appears to be the import of the term, she shall bear upon my knees. That I may also have children by her.] ואבנה ממנה veibbaneh mimmennah, and I shall be built up by her. Hence בן ben, a son or child, from בנה banah, to build; because, as a house is formed of the stones, &c., that enter into its composition, so is a family by children.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:3
3. bear upon my knees] By this phrase Rachel means that she will recognize and adopt as her own the children by her handmaid, Bilhah. For the phrase, cf. Genesis 50:23; Job 3:12. The child being received on the knees of the parent was regarded as being accepted into the family. The words retain the trace of a primitive ceremony of legitimatization and adoption. obtain children] Heb. be builded by her. The same figure of a house is used by Sarah, referring to Hagar in Genesis 16:2, where see note.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 30:3
3. Children by her — In her impatience she resorts to the expedient of Sarai. Genesis 16:2, note.
Sermons on Genesis 30:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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My Name Is Jacob by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a young man who is highly educated and talented but struggles to succeed in his career. He seeks help from an older, wise man but i |
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In Waiting by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of waiting on God's timing, using Abraham's journey as a key example. Despite God's promise of a son, Abraham and Sarah grew impatient and a |
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Responding Properly to God's Promises by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of responding properly to God's promises, using the example of Sarah who, despite initial doubts and attempts to fulfill the promise on her |