Genesis 30:15

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And she said unto her, [Is it] a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.

Complete Jewish Bible:

She answered, "Isn't it enough that you have taken away my husband? Do you have to take my son's mandrakes too?" Rachel said, "Very well; in exchange for your son's mandrakes, sleep with him tonight."

Berean Standard Bible:

But 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.”

American Standard Version:

And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son’s mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son’s mandrakes.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And she said^{H559} unto her, Is it a small matter^{H4592} that thou hast taken^{H3947} my husband^{H376}? and wouldest thou take away^{H3947} my son's^{H1121} mandrakes^{H1736} also? And Rachel^{H7354} said^{H559}, Therefore he shall lie^{H7901} with thee to night^{H3915} for^{H8478} thy son's^{H1121} mandrakes^{H1736}.

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Commentary for Genesis 30:15

Genesis 30:15 is a part of the narrative concerning the family dynamics and rivalry between the sisters Rachel and Leah, who are both wives of Jacob. The historical context of this verse is set within the patriarchal society of the ancient Near East, where polygamy was practiced, and fertility was highly valued due to its implications for family lineage and inheritance.

In this verse, Leah confronts Rachel about her desire to acquire Leah's son's mandrakes, which were believed to be an aphrodisiac and fertility symbol. Leah feels that Rachel's request is yet another encroachment upon her life, adding to the existing tension over Rachel being Jacob's preferred wife, despite Leah's greater fertility. The themes present in this verse include sibling rivalry, the deep desire for children, and the lengths to which individuals would go to secure their position within the family.

The text specifically highlights the negotiation between the two sisters: Rachel, desperate to conceive, asks Leah for the mandrakes, which Leah interprets as an attempt to take what little she has, given that Rachel already has Jacob's favor. In exchange for the mandrakes, Leah negotiates for Jacob to spend the night with her, which Rachel agrees to, indicating the value placed on the potential of the mandrakes to aid in conception. This transaction underscores the competition for Jacob's affection and the cultural importance of bearing children, particularly male heirs, in that 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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4592
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְעַט
   Transliteration: mᵉʻaṭ
   Pronunciation: meh-at'
   Description: or מְעָט; from מָעַט; a little or few (often adverbial or compar.); almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
4. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1736
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דּוּדַי
   Transliteration: dûwday
   Pronunciation: doo-dah'-ee
   Description: from דּוּד; a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as an aphrodisiac); basket, mandrake.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7354
   There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָחֵל
   Transliteration: Râchêl
   Pronunciation: raw-khale'
   Description: the same as רָחֵל; Rachel, a wife of Jacob; Rachel.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7901
   There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁכַב
   Transliteration: shâkab
   Pronunciation: shaw-kab'
   Description: a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose); [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3915
   There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לַיִל
   Transliteration: layil
   Pronunciation: lah'-yil
   Description: or (Isaiah 21:11) לֵיל; also לַיְלָה; from the same as לוּל; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity; (mid-)night (season).
   
10. Strong's Number: H8478
    There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תַּחַת
    Transliteration: tachath
    Pronunciation: takh'-ath
    Description: from the same as תּוֹחַ; the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.; as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with.