Genesis 30
DOYLYChap. XXX. ver. 3. — she shall bear upon my knees,] bring me a child, whom I may set upon my knees as my own. Bp. Patrick.
The bearing upon the knees may denote, that Rachel designed her servant to bear a child, as in her presence, and as it were upon her knees, to the end that her mistress might be made a mother by her instrumentality, and might have children whom she might truly call her own, though not born of herself. Stackhouse.
We see that barren Rachel follows Sarah’s example, and adopts the son of that maid servant, whom she gave to Jacob: wherein Leah followed her, and gave one of her maids to her husband. All this was evidently grounded upon the same principle, which afterwards had these dissensions betwixt Jacob’s wives about the having children by them: for it is very natural to be. Vol. 1.
liere, that Jacob did not conceal from his wives his advantages and hopes. Dr. Allis. See Dr. Gray’s note on chap. xix. 36. See also note on ver. 23.
— that I may also have children] She being Rachel’s servant, the children, that were born of her, were Rachel’s children. Bp. Patrick.
Chap. XXXI. ver. 7. — changed my wages ten times;] The cattle in Mesopotamia bred twice every year. Supposing therefore that for the first year Laban stood to
me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
Genesis 30:14
- — mandrakes] Supposed to be what the Syrians call manz, a fruit, about as big as a small cucumber, that hangs in elusters, sometimes to the number of forty on the same stalk, and is in figure and taste not unlike the Indian fig. Stackhouse.
Genesis 30:19
- — the images] In the Hebrew “teraphim:” used as objects of worship, or instruments of divination. It is supposed that Rachel stole them; either because, having still a tincture of superstition, she feared Laban should inquire of them which way Jacob was gone; or because, having been brought off by Jacob from the false notions and bad customs of her country, she desired to convince her father of his superstition, by letting him see, that his gods (as he called them) could not preserve themselves, much less be of any service to him; or because she intended to give herself some portion of his goods which she thought justly belonged to her, and of which he had deprived her. It is supposed the images were made of gold, or silver, or some other valuable substance. Bp. Patrick, Stackhouse. The teraphim were probably the pictures or statues of some of Rachel’s ancestors, and taken by her for the preservation of their memory, when she was about never to see her country and father’s house again. Laban had abused them to idolatry. Dr. Lightfoot.
Genesis 30:21
- — Dinah.] No reason is given for this name; but it seems to have the same with that of Rachel’s first-born by Bilhah; for, as if she had now got the better of Rachel, she called this child by a name importing judgment. Bp. Patrick.
G Jacob is commanded by God to return to his own country.
fore the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
- — the river,] The Euphrates; frequently called in Scripture the river, by way of eminence. Bp. Patrick. — the mount Gilead.] So called by anticipation. The heap of stones, which Laban and Jacob raised in memory of their agreement and covenant, was called Gilead, that is, an heap of witnesses: and in after-ages gave the name to the whole neighbouring country, which lies on the east of the sea of Galilee: being part of that ridge of mountains, which runs from mount Lebanon southward on the east of the Holy Land, and includes the mountainous region, called in the New Testament Trachonitis. Dr. Wells.
Genesis 30:27
- — I might have sent thee away with mirth, &c.] When the prefecto of Egypt was preparing for his journey, he complains of his being incommoded by the sonnets of his Eastern friends, who took leave in this manner of their relations and acquaintance before their setting out. These valedictory songs, however, are not to be supposed to be a prelude to all their journeys, but only to those of the most solemn kind. There is therefore an energy in those words of Laban, which ought to be remarked, Why didst not thou tell me, that I might have sent thee away, and taken my leave of my daughters, going such a journey, with all due solemnity, according to the custom of my country? Harmer.
Genesis 30:33
- And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, &c.] Men and women had their distinct tents, apart by themselves, chap. xxiv. 67. Bp. Patrick. The Arabs are not so scrupulous as the Turks about their women; and though they have the harem, or women’s part of the tent, yet such, as they are acquainted with, come into it; but no strangers ever dare to come into the women’s apartment, unless they are introduced. Bp. Pococke.
Genesis 30:34
- — put them in the camel’s furniture,] Rachel probably rode after the Arab mode, upon an hiram, which in a piece of serge, about six ells long, laid upon the