Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” New Living Translation When Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She pleaded with Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” English Standard Version When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” Berean Standard Bible When 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. King James Bible And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. New King James Version Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!” New American Standard Bible Now when Rachel saw that she had not borne Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I am going to die.” NASB 1995 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.” NASB 1977 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.” Legacy Standard Bible Then Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, so she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.” Amplified Bible When Rachel saw that she conceived no children for Jacob, she envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.” Christian Standard Bible When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. “Give me sons, or I will die! ” she said to Jacob. Holman Christian Standard Bible When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. “Give me sons, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. American Standard Version And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and she said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. Contemporary English Version Rachel was very jealous of Leah for having children, and she said to Jacob, "I'll die if you don't give me some children!" English Revised Version And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and she said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. GOD'S WORD® Translation Rachel saw that she could not have children for Jacob, and she became jealous of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I'll die!" Good News Translation But Rachel had not borne Jacob any children, and so she became jealous of her sister and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die." International Standard Version Rachel noticed that she was not bearing children for Jacob, so because she envied her sister Leah, she told Jacob, "If you don't give me sons, I'm going to die!" NET Bible When Rachel saw that she could not give Jacob children, she became jealous of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children or I'll die!" New Heart English Bible When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I will die." Webster's Bible Translation And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen 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. World English Bible When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Rachel sees that she has not borne to Jacob, and Rachel is envious of her sister, and says to Jacob, “Give me sons, and if there is none—I die.” Young's Literal Translation And Rachel seeth that she hath not borne to Jacob, and Rachel is envious of her sister, and saith unto Jacob, 'Give me sons, and if there is none -- I die.' Smith's Literal Translation And Rachel will see that she shall not bring forth to Jacob, and Rachel will envy her sister, and will say to Jacob, Give me sons, and if not, I die. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Rachel, seeing herself without children, envied her sister, and said to her husband: Give me children, otherwise I shall die. Catholic Public Domain Version Then Rachel, discerning that she was infertile, envied her sister, and so she said to her husband, “Give me children, otherwise I will die.” New American Bible When Rachel saw that she had not borne children to Jacob, she became envious of her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children or I shall die!” New Revised Standard Version When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAND when Rachel saw that she was not bearing children to Jacob, she envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Rakhyl saw that she was not child bearing to Yaquuv, and she envied her sister and she said to Yaquuv, “Give me children, otherwise I am dead!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and she said unto Jacob: 'Give me children, or else I die.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Rachel having perceived that she bore Jacob no children, was jealous of her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children; and if not, I shall die. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Dan and Naphtali1When 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?”… Cross References 1 Samuel 1:5-6 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. Genesis 16:1-2 Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / 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. Genesis 29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Genesis 25:21 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. Genesis 21:1-2 Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. Genesis 11:30 But Sarai was barren; she had no children. Genesis 20:18 for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household. Genesis 15:2-3 But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” / Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Genesis 18:10-14 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ... Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” Luke 1:7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. Luke 1:36-37 Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:25 “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Romans 9:10-12 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.” Romans 4:19-21 Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. Treasury of Scripture And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. when Rachel. Genesis 29:31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. Rachel envied. Genesis 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. 1 Samuel 1:4-8 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: … Psalm 106:16 They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD. or else I die. Genesis 35:16-19 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour… Genesis 37:11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. Numbers 11:15,29 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness… Jump to Previous Bare Bearing Bore Borne Children Die Envied Envy Full I'll Jacob Jealous Rachel SisterJump to Next Bare Bearing Bore Borne Children Die Envied Envy Full I'll Jacob Jealous Rachel SisterGenesis 30 1. Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.5. Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali. 9. Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher. 14. Reuben finds mandrakes, 15. with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel. 17. Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. 22. Rachel bears Joseph. 25. Jacob desires to depart. 27. Laban detains him on a new agreement. 37. Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich. When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob Rachel's barrenness is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, reflecting the cultural importance of childbearing in ancient times. In the patriarchal society of the Old Testament, a woman's worth was often measured by her ability to produce offspring, particularly sons. Rachel's inability to conceive would have been a source of personal anguish and social stigma. This situation echoes the experiences of other biblical matriarchs, such as Sarah and Hannah, who also faced periods of barrenness before God intervened. The theme of barrenness and subsequent divine intervention highlights God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His covenant promises through the lineage of the patriarchs. she envied her sister “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob Persons / Places / Events 1. RachelThe beloved wife of Jacob, who is struggling with infertility and is envious of her sister Leah's ability to bear children. 2. Jacob The patriarch who is caught between the rivalry of his two wives, Rachel and Leah. 3. Leah Rachel's sister and Jacob's first wife, who has already borne several children to Jacob. 4. Envy The emotion that Rachel experiences, which drives her to desperation and confrontation with Jacob. 5. Childbearing A significant cultural and personal issue in the account, representing legacy and divine blessing. Teaching Points The Danger of EnvyEnvy can lead to destructive behavior and strained relationships. It is important to guard our hearts against it and seek contentment in God's plan. The Role of Faith in Trials Rachel's desperation highlights the need for faith and patience in God's timing, especially in difficult circumstances. The Importance of Communication Rachel's confrontation with Jacob underscores the need for open and honest communication in relationships, particularly in marriage. God's Sovereignty in Family Matters The account reminds us that God is ultimately in control of family dynamics and the blessing of children. Seeking God's Will Instead of succumbing to envy, we should seek God's will and trust in His provision for our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 30:1?2. How does Rachel's envy in Genesis 30:1 reflect human nature's struggle with contentment? 3. What can we learn from Rachel's response to her barrenness in Genesis 30:1? 4. How does Rachel's plea to Jacob connect to prayer and reliance on God? 5. In what ways can Rachel's desperation in Genesis 30:1 guide our faith journey? 6. How can Rachel's actions in Genesis 30:1 inform our understanding of God's timing? 7. Why does Rachel demand children from Jacob in Genesis 30:1? 8. How does Genesis 30:1 reflect the cultural importance of childbearing in biblical times? 9. What does Rachel's desperation in Genesis 30:1 reveal about her faith in God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 30? 11. How do these events in Genesis 30 align or conflict with other biblical texts that describe God's involvement in fertility and inheritance? 12. Who was Rachel in the Bible? 13. Is surrogate motherhood supported by the Bible? 14. What distinguishes envy from jealousy? What Does Genesis 30:1 Mean When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob• Rachel measures her worth by her ability to give Jacob sons. This reflects the high value Scripture places on children as tangible evidence of God’s blessing (Psalm 127:3-5). • The statement follows a long pattern of barrenness among the matriarchs—Sarah (Genesis 11:30; 21:1-2) and Rebekah (Genesis 25:21). In each case, God alone ultimately opens the womb, underscoring His sovereign control (Genesis 29:31; 30:22). • Rachel’s “seeing” highlights the contrast between her situation and Leah’s: Leah has already delivered four sons (Genesis 29:32-35). The tension rising in Jacob’s household is therefore rooted in visible, countable blessings. she envied her sister • Envy surfaces when blessings granted to another are viewed as diminishing one’s own worth (Proverbs 14:30; James 3:16). • Rachel’s envy exposes a heart problem, not merely a social one. God’s law will later forbid coveting anything that belongs to a neighbor (Exodus 20:17). • Leah’s fertility, rather than stirring Rachel to prayerful trust, provokes unhealthy rivalry. Similar competitive feelings fuel later strife between their sons (Genesis 37:4). “Give me children, or I will die!” • The cry reveals desperation so intense that childbearing has become Rachel’s functional idol. Scripture warns that craving a good gift more than the Giver leads to bondage (Luke 12:15; Psalm 37:4). • Ironically, Rachel’s words foreshadow her own death in childbirth with Benjamin (Genesis 35:16-19), underscoring how uncontrolled desire can have tragic consequences. • Compare Hannah, who also longed for a child but poured out her heart to the LORD rather than to her husband (1 Samuel 1:10-11). God invites lament, yet His people must direct it toward Him, not human intermediaries. she said to Jacob • Rachel directs her demand at Jacob, but Jacob cannot open her womb. His immediate reply in the next verse—“Am I in the place of God?” (Genesis 30:2)—is the correct theological answer. • Depending on a human rather than God puts pressure on relationships that were never designed to carry divine weight (Jeremiah 17:5; Psalm 146:3). • The episode highlights Jacob’s passive leadership at this stage and points to the need for a husband to steer his family back to trust in the LORD (Deuteronomy 6:4-7). summary Genesis 30:1 exposes the danger of measuring worth by earthly benchmarks, even good ones like children. Rachel’s envy, desperate cry, and misplaced demand show how quickly unmet desires can eclipse trust in God’s timing. The verse invites believers to recognize God alone as the Giver of life, resist envy, and bring every longing to Him rather than to fallible human solutions. XXX.(1) Give me children, or else I die.--There is an Oriental proverb that a childless person is as good as dead; and this was probably Rachel's meaning, and not that she should die of vexation. Great as was the affliction to a Hebrew woman of being barren (1Samuel 1:10), yet there is a painful petulance and peevishness about Rachel's words, in strong contrast with Hannah's patient suffering. But she was very young, and a spoiled wife; though with qualities which riveted Jacob's love to her all life through. Verse 1. - And when Rachel saw (apparently after, though probably before, the birth of Leah's fourth son) that she bare Jacob no children (literally, that she bare not to Jacob), Rachel envied her sister (was jealous of her, the root referring to the redness with which the face of an angry woman is suffused); and said unto Jacob, Give me children (sons), or else I die - literally, and if not, I am a dead woman; i.e. for shame at her sterility. Rachel had three strong reasons for desiring children - that she might emulate her sister, become more dear to her husband, and above all share the hope of being a progenitrix of the promised Seed. If not warranted to infer that Rachel s barrenness was due to lack of prayer on her part and Jacob s (Keil), we are at least justified in asserting that her conduct in breaking forth into angry reproaches against her husband was unlike that of Jacob's mother, Rebekah, who, in similar circumstances, sought relief in prayer and oracles (Kalisch). The brief period that had elapsed since Rachel's marriage, in comparison with the twenty years of Rebekah's barrenness, signally discovered Rachel's sinful impatience.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When Rachelרָחֵ֗ל (rā·ḥêl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob saw וַתֵּ֣רֶא (wat·tê·re) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7200: To see that כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction she was not לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no bearing יָֽלְדָה֙ (yā·lə·ḏāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage any children רָחֵ֖ל (rā·ḥêl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob for Jacob, לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב (lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc she envied וַתְּקַנֵּ֥א (wat·tə·qan·nê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7065: To be, zealous, jealous, envious her sister. בַּאֲחֹתָ֑הּ (ba·’ă·ḥō·ṯāh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister “Give הָֽבָה־ (hā·ḇāh-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 3051: To give, to put, imperatively, come me לִּ֣י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew children, בָנִ֔ים (ḇā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son or וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not I אָנֹֽכִי׃ (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I will die!” מֵתָ֥ה (mê·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill she said וַתֹּ֤אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶֽל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Jacob. יַעֲקֹב֙ (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc Links Genesis 30:1 NIVGenesis 30:1 NLT Genesis 30:1 ESV Genesis 30:1 NASB Genesis 30:1 KJV Genesis 30:1 BibleApps.com Genesis 30:1 Biblia Paralela Genesis 30:1 Chinese Bible Genesis 30:1 French Bible Genesis 30:1 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 30:1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob (Gen. Ge Gn) |
    |