Genesis 30:16
New International Version
So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. “You must sleep with me,” she said. “I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.

New Living Translation
So that evening, as Jacob was coming home from the fields, Leah went out to meet him. “You must come and sleep with me tonight!” she said. “I have paid for you with some mandrakes that my son found.” So that night he slept with Leah.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.

King James Bible
And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

New King James Version
When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night.

New American Standard Bible
When Jacob came in from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must have relations with me, for I have indeed hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.

NASB 1995
When Jacob came in from the field in the evening, then Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night.

NASB 1977
When Jacob came in from the field in the evening, then Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jacob came in from the field in the evening. And Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he lay with her that night.

Amplified Bible
When Jacob came in from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must sleep with me [tonight], for I have in fact hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.

Christian Standard Bible
When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So Jacob slept with her that night.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So Jacob slept with her that night.

American Standard Version
And Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for I have surely hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

Contemporary English Version
That evening when Jacob came in from the fields, Leah told him, "You're sleeping with me tonight. I hired you with my son's love flowers." They slept together that night,

English Revised Version
And Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for I have surely hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As Jacob was coming in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. "You are to sleep with me," she said. "You are my reward for my son's mandrakes." So he went to bed with her that night.

Good News Translation
When Jacob came in from the fields in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You are going to sleep with me tonight, because I have paid for you with my son's mandrakes." So he had intercourse with her that night.

International Standard Version
When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went to meet him and told him, "You're having sex with me tonight. I traded my son's mandrakes for you!" So he slept with her that night.

Majority Standard Bible
When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, ?You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son?s mandrakes.? So he slept with her that night.

NET Bible
When Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must sleep with me because I have paid for your services with my son's mandrakes." So he had marital relations with her that night.

New Heart English Bible
Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, "You must sleep with me; for I have surely hired you with my son?s mandrakes." So he slept with her that night.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in to me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

World English Bible
Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, “You must come in to me; for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” He lay with her that night.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jacob comes in from the field at evening; and Leah goes to meet him and says, “You come in to me, for [in] hiring I have hired you with my son’s love-apples”; and he lies with her during that night.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jacob cometh in from the field at evening; and Leah goeth to meet him, and saith, 'Unto me dost thou come in, for hiring I have hired thee with my son's love-apples;' and he lieth with her during that night.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jacob will come from the field in the evening, and Leah will go forth to his meeting, and she will say, Thou shalt come in to me, for hiring I hired thee for my son's apples of mandrakes: and he will lie with her in that night.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Jacob returned at even from the field, Lia went out to meet him, and said: Thou shalt come in unto me, because I have hired thee for my son's mandrakes. And he slept with her that night.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Jacob returned from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him, and she said, “You will enter to me, because I have hired you for the reward of my son’s mandrakes.” And he slept with her that night.

New American Bible
That evening, when Jacob came in from the field, Leah went out to meet him. She said, “You must have intercourse with me, because I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So that night he lay with her,

New Revised Standard Version
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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when Jacob came home from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him, and said, You must come in unto me; for surely I have hired you with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yaquuv came in from the field in the evening and Leah came out to meet him and she said, “Come into me because assuredly I have hired you with the mandrakes of my son”; and he lay with her that night.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said: 'Thou must come in unto me; for I have surely hired thee with my son's mandrakes.' And he lay with her that night.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jacob came in out of the field at even; and Lea went forth to meet him, and said, Thou shalt come in to me this day, for I have hired thee for my son's mandrakes; and he lay with her that night.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gad and Asher
15But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” 16When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.

Cross References
Genesis 29:32-35
And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.” / Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon. / Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi. ...

Genesis 16:2-4
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. / And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.

Genesis 25:21-22
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. / But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD,

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 38:8-10
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.” / But Onan knew that the offspring would not belong to him; so whenever he would sleep with his brother’s wife, he would spill his seed on the ground so that he would not produce offspring for his brother. / What he did was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put Onan to death as well.

Genesis 49:3-4
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. / Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.

Exodus 21:10
If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife.

Deuteronomy 21:15-17
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

1 Samuel 1:19-20
The next morning they got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then they returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. / So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

1 Samuel 2:5
The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.

Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

2 Samuel 12:24
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child

Psalm 127:3
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

Isaiah 54:1
“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.

Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. / Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. / But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, You must come in to me; for surely I have hired you with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

Jump to Previous
Evening Field Fields Hired Hiring Indeed Jacob Leah Love-Apples Mandrakes Meet Night Price Sleep Slept Son's Surely Tonight
Jump to Next
Evening Field Fields Hired Hiring Indeed Jacob Leah Love-Apples Mandrakes Meet Night Price Sleep Slept Son's Surely Tonight
Genesis 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 Jacob came in from the field that evening
Jacob's return from the field signifies the end of a day's labor, a common practice for shepherds in ancient times. The field represents his work and livelihood, as Jacob was tending Laban's flocks. This setting underscores the agrarian lifestyle of the patriarchs and the importance of pastoral work in their lives. The evening time is significant as it was a customary time for rest and family interaction, highlighting the domestic setting of the narrative.

Leah went out to meet him
Leah's proactive approach in meeting Jacob indicates her desire and determination to secure his attention and affection. This action reflects the ongoing rivalry between Leah and her sister Rachel for Jacob's love and the struggle for status within the family. Leah's initiative can be seen as a reflection of her longing for validation and her role as a wife in a polygamous marriage, which was culturally accepted but often led to familial tension.

and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.”
The mention of mandrakes, a plant believed to have fertility-enhancing properties, highlights the cultural beliefs and practices surrounding fertility and childbearing in the ancient Near East. Leah's use of mandrakes to "hire" Jacob underscores the transactional nature of their relationship at this point, as well as the desperation and competition between the sisters. This incident also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over human efforts, as ultimately, it is God who opens and closes the womb (Genesis 29:31).

So he slept with her that night.
Jacob's compliance with Leah's request demonstrates the complex dynamics of his family life, where personal desires and familial obligations intersect. This phrase also points to the fulfillment of Leah's desire for intimacy and the continuation of the lineage through her offspring. The narrative of Jacob's family, with its struggles and divine interventions, foreshadows the eventual formation of the twelve tribes of Israel, each tribe descending from Jacob's sons.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob
The patriarch of the Israelite tribes, son of Isaac and Rebekah, and husband to Leah and Rachel. He is central to the account as the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.

2. Leah
The first wife of Jacob, who was given to him deceitfully by her father Laban. She is the mother of several of Jacob's children, including Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.

3. Rachel
Jacob's second wife, whom he loved more than Leah. She is Leah's sister and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.

4. Mandrakes
A plant believed to have fertility-enhancing properties. In this context, they symbolize the ongoing struggle between Leah and Rachel for Jacob's affection and the desire for children.

5. The Field
Represents the place of labor and provision, where Jacob worked to support his family. It is also a setting for many of the patriarchal accounts.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Deception
Leah's marriage to Jacob was the result of Laban's deceit. This deception led to ongoing family strife, illustrating how deceit can have long-lasting negative effects.

The Struggle for Love and Acceptance
Leah's actions reflect a deep desire for Jacob's love and acceptance, reminding us of the human need for love and the lengths to which people will go to obtain it.

The Role of Providence
Despite human manipulation and rivalry, God's providence is at work. Leah's children play significant roles in the history of Israel, showing that God can work through imperfect situations.

The Dangers of Favoritism
Jacob's favoritism towards Rachel over Leah caused division and pain within the family, serving as a warning against partiality in relationships.

The Pursuit of Blessings
The exchange involving mandrakes highlights the human tendency to seek blessings through our own means rather than trusting in God's timing and provision.Verse 16. - And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, - i.e. the harvest-field (ver. 14) - and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me (the Samaritan codex adds "this night," and the LXX. "today"); for surely I have hired thee (literally, hiring; I have hired thee) with my son's mandrakes. And (assenting to the arrangement of his wives) he lay with her that night.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When Jacob
יַעֲקֹ֣ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

came in
וַיָּבֹ֨א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the field
הַשָּׂדֶה֮ (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

that evening,
בָּעֶרֶב֒ (bā·‘e·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

Leah
לֵאָ֜ה (lê·’āh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3812: Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacob

went out
וַתֵּצֵ֨א (wat·tê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

to meet him
לִקְרָאת֗וֹ (liq·rā·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

and said,
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“You must come
תָּב֔וֹא (tā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

with me,
אֵלַ֣י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

for
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I have hired you
שָׂכֹ֣ר (śā·ḵōr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7936: To hire

with my son’s
בְּנִ֑י (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

mandrakes.”
בְּדוּדָאֵ֖י (bə·ḏū·ḏā·’ê)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1736: A boiler, basket, the mandrake

So [he] slept
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֥ב (way·yiš·kaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

with
עִמָּ֖הּ (‘im·māh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

her that
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

night.
בַּלַּ֥יְלָה (bal·lay·lāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity


Links
Genesis 30:16 NIV
Genesis 30:16 NLT
Genesis 30:16 ESV
Genesis 30:16 NASB
Genesis 30:16 KJV

Genesis 30:16 BibleApps.com
Genesis 30:16 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 30:16 Chinese Bible
Genesis 30:16 French Bible
Genesis 30:16 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 30:16 Jacob came from the field (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 30:15
Top of Page
Top of Page