Genesis 30:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and Le'ah said, "Good fortune has come," calling him Gad [good fortune].

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Leah said, “How fortunate!” So she named him Gad.

American Standard Version:

And Leah said, Fortunate! and she called his name Gad.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Leah^{H3812} said^{H559}, A troop^{H1409} cometh^{H935}: and she called^{H7121} his name^{H8034} Gad^{H1410}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 30:11

Genesis 30:11 is a verse from the Hebrew Bible that captures a moment within the complex family dynamics of the patriarch Jacob. The historical context of this verse is set within the early patriarchal narratives, which describe the lives and interactions of the ancestors of the Israelite people.

**Themes:**

1. **Fertility and Family Dynamics:** The verse is part of a larger narrative focusing on the competition between Leah and Rachel, the two wives of Jacob, to bear children. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fertility was a sign of divine favor, and children, especially sons, were crucial for the continuation of the family lineage and inheritance.

2. **Naming as Significant:** Naming a child often held symbolic meaning, reflecting the parents' hopes, experiences, or significant events at the time of the child's birth. Leah's naming of her son Gad reflects her joy and the hope that his birth brings.

3. **Divine Sovereignty:** The narrative implies the sovereignty of God over human fertility. Leah acknowledges that her son is a gift from God, indicating her recognition of divine involvement in her life.

**Historical Context:**

- **Time Period:** The events described in Genesis, including this verse, are set in the early 2nd millennium BCE, during the patriarchal age, although the exact dating is a subject of scholarly debate.

- **Cultural Practices:** Polygamy was a common practice in the ancient Near East, and the story of Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel reflects this cultural norm. The competition between the sisters for Jacob's affection and for producing offspring is emblematic of the social importance placed on progeny.

- **Family Relationships:** Jacob's family relationships were complex. He was tricked into marrying Leah, Rachel's older sister, before he could marry his beloved Rachel. The tension between the sisters is a recurring theme in the narrative.

In summary, Genesis 30:11 reflects the themes of fertility, family dynamics, and the significance of naming within the patriarchal narratives. It also underscores the belief in divine involvement in everyday life, particularly in the bearing of children. The historical context includes the cultural practices of polygamy and the importance of lineage in ancient Near Eastern society.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3812
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵאָה
   Transliteration: Lêʼâh
   Pronunciation: lay-aw'
   Description: from לָאָה; weary; Leah, a wife of Jacob; Leah.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1409
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּד
   Transliteration: gâd
   Pronunciation: gawd
   Description: from גּוּד (in the sense of distributing); fortune; troop.
   
4. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1410
   There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּד
   Transliteration: Gâd
   Pronunciation: gawd
   Description: from גּוּד; Gad, a son of Jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet; Gad.