King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Bilhah conceived and bore Ya'akov a son.
Berean Standard Bible:
and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son.
American Standard Version:
And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Bilhah{H1090} conceived{H2029}, and bare{H3205} Jacob{H3290} a son{H1121}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Genesis 30:5
Genesis 30:5 is a verse set within the broader narrative of the patriarch Jacob's family dynamics and his interactions with his two wives, Leah and Rachel, and their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah. The historical context is the early second millennium BCE, during the patriarchal period described in the Book of Genesis.
Themes present in this verse include:
1. **Fertility and Family Dynamics**: In the ancient Near Eastern culture, fertility was of utmost importance, and having many children, especially sons, was a sign of divine favor and a means of securing one's legacy. Bilhah's conception and the birth of a son to Jacob underscore the value placed on progeny.
2. **Surrogate Motherhood**: The practice of using maidservants as surrogate mothers was common in this cultural context. Since Rachel was initially barren, she gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob to bear children on her behalf, a practice that was socially acceptable and seen as a way to ensure offspring for the barren wife.
3. **Divine Providence**: The birth of children in the biblical narrative is often seen as an act of God's providence. The verse implies that it is through God's intervention that Bilhah conceives, highlighting the belief that God is actively involved in the lives of the patriarchs, guiding their destinies and blessing them with descendants.
4. **Jacob's Growing Family**: This verse contributes to the story of Jacob's expanding family, which will eventually become the twelve tribes of Israel. Each son born to Jacob is significant as they will father these tribes, playing a crucial role in the formation of Israel's national identity.
5. **Competition and Tension**: The birth of children through different wives and maidservants creates a complex family dynamic filled with competition and tension. This is evident in the ongoing rivalry between Leah and Rachel, which is a central theme in the narrative surrounding Jacob's family life.
In summary, Genesis 30:5 reflects the societal norms of the time regarding fertility and family structure, the role of divine intervention in childbirth, and the complex interpersonal dynamics within Jacob's household, all of which contribute to the unfolding story of Israel's ancestors.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1090
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּלְהָה
Transliteration: Bilhâh
Pronunciation: bil-haw'
Description: from בָּלַהּ; timid; Bilhah, the name of one of Jacob's concubines; also of a place in Palestine; Bilhah. - Strong's Number: H2029
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָרָה
Transliteration: hârâh
Pronunciation: haw-raw'
Description: a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively); been, be with child, conceive, progenitor. - Strong's Number: H3205
There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַד
Transliteration: yâlad
Pronunciation: yaw-lad'
Description: a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). - Strong's Number: H3290
There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob. - 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.