Genesis 30:17
New International Version
God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son.

New Living Translation
And God answered Leah’s prayers. She became pregnant again and gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob.

English Standard Version
And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Berean Standard Bible
And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore a fifth son to Jacob.

King James Bible
And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

New King James Version
And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.

New American Standard Bible
God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.

NASB 1995
God gave heed to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.

NASB 1977
And God gave heed to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Legacy Standard Bible
And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Amplified Bible
God listened and answered [the prayer of] Leah, and she conceived and gave birth to a fifth son for Jacob.

Christian Standard Bible
God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.

American Standard Version
And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob a fifth son.

Contemporary English Version
and God answered Leah's prayers by giving her a fifth son.

English Revised Version
And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob a fifth son.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God answered Leah's prayer. She became pregnant and gave birth to her fifth son for Jacob.

Good News Translation
God answered Leah's prayer, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son.

International Standard Version
God heard what Leah had said, so she conceived and bore a fifth son for Jacob.

Majority Standard Bible
And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore a fifth son to Jacob.

NET Bible
God paid attention to Leah; she became pregnant and gave Jacob a son for the fifth time.

New Heart English Bible
God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Webster's Bible Translation
And God hearkened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob the fifth son.

World English Bible
God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And God listens to Leah, and she conceives, and bears a son to Jacob, a fifth,

Young's Literal Translation
And God hearkeneth unto Leah, and she conceiveth, and beareth to Jacob a son, a fifth,

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will listen to Leah, and she will conceive and bear to Jacob the fifth son.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And God heard her prayers: and she conceived and bore the fifth son,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And God heard her prayers. And she conceived and bore a fifth son.

New American Bible
and God listened to Leah; she conceived and bore a fifth son to Jacob.

New Revised Standard Version
And God heeded Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And God hearkened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob the fifth son.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And God heard Leah and she became pregnant and she bore to Yaquuv a fifth son.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God hearkened to Lea, and she conceived, and bore Jacob a fifth son.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah
17And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore a fifth son to Jacob. 18Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar.…

Cross References
Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

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 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.

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.”

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

Genesis 16:11
The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.

Genesis 33:5
When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

Genesis 49:25
by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above, with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb.

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.

1 Samuel 2:21
So the LORD attended to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Luke 1:24-25
After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared, / “The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

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.”

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.

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.”


Treasury of Scripture

And God listened to Leah, and she conceived, and bore Jacob the fifth son.

A.

Genesis 30:6,22
And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan…

Exodus 3:7
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

1 Samuel 1:20,26,27
Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD…

Jump to Previous
Bare Bore Child Conceived Conceiveth Ear Fifth Hearkened Hearkeneth Heed Jacob Leah Pregnant
Jump to Next
Bare Bore Child Conceived Conceiveth Ear Fifth Hearkened Hearkeneth Heed Jacob Leah Pregnant
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.














And God listened to Leah
This phrase indicates divine intervention and favor. Leah, who felt unloved compared to her sister Rachel, had been praying for more children. The concept of God "listening" suggests a personal relationship and responsiveness to human needs, a recurring theme in the Bible. This mirrors other instances where God listens to the cries of His people, such as in Exodus 2:24, when He hears the groaning of the Israelites in Egypt. It underscores the belief that God is attentive to the prayers of the faithful.

and she conceived
The act of conception is often seen as a blessing from God in the biblical narrative. In the cultural context of the time, bearing children, especially sons, was a significant source of a woman's value and status. Leah's ability to conceive again is seen as a sign of God's continued blessing upon her, despite her lower status in Jacob's affections. This also reflects the biblical theme of God using those who are marginalized or less favored to fulfill His purposes, as seen with other figures like David and Joseph.

and bore a fifth son to Jacob
The birth of Leah's fifth son, Issachar, is significant in the context of the ongoing rivalry between Leah and Rachel. Each son born to Jacob contributes to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel, which are central to the narrative of the Old Testament. The naming of Issachar, which means "reward" or "compensation," reflects Leah's belief that God has rewarded her for giving her maidservant to Jacob as a wife. This event is part of the larger narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising numerous descendants and a great nation. The birth of each son is a step toward the fulfillment of this promise.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Leah
The first wife of Jacob, Leah is often seen as the less favored wife compared to her sister Rachel. Despite this, she is blessed with many children, which is a significant theme in her account.

2. Jacob
The patriarch who is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. His relationships with Leah and Rachel are central to the account of Genesis 30.

3. God
The divine being who listens to Leah's prayers and grants her the ability to conceive another son, demonstrating His involvement and care in the lives of His people.

4. Conception and Birth
The event of Leah conceiving and bearing a son is a pivotal moment, highlighting themes of divine intervention and blessing.

5. Fifth Son
This refers to Issachar, Leah's fifth son with Jacob, whose birth is a direct result of God's response to Leah's situation.
Teaching Points
God Hears Our Prayers
Just as God listened to Leah, He hears our prayers today. We can trust that He is attentive to our needs and concerns.

Divine Favor in Unfavorable Circumstances
Leah's account reminds us that God's favor can manifest even when we feel overlooked or unloved by others. His blessings are not dependent on human approval.

The Value of Persistence in Faith
Leah's continued faith and prayer life, despite her circumstances, encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God's timing and provision.

God's Sovereignty in Family Dynamics
The complex family dynamics in Jacob's household show that God can work through any situation to fulfill His purposes, encouraging us to trust Him in our family relationships.

The Importance of Gratitude
Leah's response to God's blessing with gratitude and acknowledgment serves as a model for us to recognize and thank God for His gifts in our lives.Verse 17. - And God hearkened unto Leah, - i.e. unto Leah's prayers (Onkelos, Jerome, Rosenmüller, Murphy), which Calvin thinks doubtful - quis enim putaret, dum odiose sorori suae negat Lea fructus a puero collectos, et hoc pretio noctem mariti mercatur, ullum esse precibus locum. The historian employs the term Elohim to show that Leah's pregnancy was not owing to her son's mandrakes, but to Divine power (Keil, Lange) - and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son - or, counting Zilpah's, the seventh; while, reckoning Bilhah's, this was Jacob's ninth child.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And God
אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

listened
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע (way·yiš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

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

and she conceived
וַתַּ֛הַר (wat·ta·har)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2029: To conceive, become pregnant

and bore
וַתֵּ֥לֶד (wat·tê·leḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

a fifth
חֲמִישִֽׁי׃ (ḥă·mî·šî)
Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 2549: Fifth, a fifth

son
בֵּ֥ן (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

to Jacob.
לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב (lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc


Links
Genesis 30:17 NIV
Genesis 30:17 NLT
Genesis 30:17 ESV
Genesis 30:17 NASB
Genesis 30:17 KJV

Genesis 30:17 BibleApps.com
Genesis 30:17 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 30:17 Chinese Bible
Genesis 30:17 French Bible
Genesis 30:17 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 30:17 God listened to Leah and she conceived (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 30:16
Top of Page
Top of Page