Genesis 30:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 30:15 vividly portrays the intense rivalry between Jacob's wives, Leah and Rachel, as Rachel desperately seeks mandrakes, believed to aid fertility, from Leah. In a poignant negotiation, Leah, feeling overlooked by Jacob, agrees to give Rachel the mandrakes only if Jacob spends the night with her, highlighting the deep-seated jealousy, the women's yearning for children, and the transactional nature of their relationships in a polygamous household.

### CONTEXT
This verse is set within the complex and often contentious saga of Jacob's family, a household characterized by polygamy and fierce competition for Jacob's affection and the blessing of children. Leah, Jacob's first wife, was "hated" (meaning less loved) by Jacob compared to Rachel ([Genesis 29:31](/genesis/29-31 "Jacob's love for Rachel")), yet God had opened her womb. Rachel, Jacob's beloved, remained barren. The scene unfolds when Reuben, Leah's eldest son, discovers mandrakes in the field. These plants, with roots resembling human figures, were widely believed in ancient Near Eastern cultures to possess aphrodisiac or fertility-enhancing properties. Rachel, still childless, perceives these mandrakes as a potential remedy for her barrenness and implores Leah for them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 30:15 captures a raw exchange between Leah and Rachel, revealing the depths of their marital and maternal desperation.

Leah initiates the confrontation with a bitter question: "Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also?" The Hebrew phrase "Is it a small matter?" (הַמְעַט קַחְתֵּךְ אֶת אִישִׁי, *hame'at qachtech et ishi*) conveys profound grievance and accusation. Leah's pain over Jacob's favoritism towards Rachel is palpable, suggesting that Rachel's request for the mandrakes is merely another instance of her taking what Leah feels is rightfully hers—first Jacob's primary affection, now her son's discovery. The mention of "my son's mandrakes" emphasizes Reuben's ownership and Leah's protective instinct over her children's possessions, which are implicitly linked to their future and status.

Rachel's response is swift and transactional: "Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes." This immediate agreement underscores her intense desire for children, to the point where she is willing to barter her conjugal rights with Jacob for a perceived fertility aid. Jacob, the husband, becomes a commodity in this negotiation, highlighting the transactional and often dehumanizing aspects of their polygamous arrangement driven by cultural expectations and unmet needs. The Hebrew word for "mandrakes," *dudaim* (דוּדָאִים), is often linked to the word for "love" or "love-apples," reinforcing their ancient association with romance and fertility.

This verse illustrates several key dynamics:
* **Intense Sibling Rivalry:** The dialogue vividly portrays the deep-seated animosity and jealousy between Leah and Rachel, half-sisters married to the same man. Their competition extends from Jacob's affection to the very means of procreation.
* **Desperation for Progeny:** Both women are consumed by the desire for children, particularly sons, as a primary source of status, security, and fulfillment within their societal context. This desperation drives their actions and negotiations.
* **Reliance on Superstition:** Rachel's eagerness for the mandrakes reflects the ancient world's reliance on folk remedies and superstitions for fertility, underscoring a human tendency to seek solutions outside of divine providence.
* **The Husband as a Commodity:** The exchange of Jacob's conjugal visit for the mandrakes reveals the complex and often painful realities of polygamy, where personal relationships can devolve into negotiations over resources and status.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Sovereignty Over Life:** Despite the human scheming, jealousy, and reliance on superstitions like mandrakes, the broader narrative of Genesis consistently affirms that it is God alone who ultimately opens and closes wombs, demonstrating His sovereign control over life and fruitfulness ([Genesis 30:22](/genesis/30-22 "God remembers Rachel")). Human efforts and remedies are ultimately futile without divine will.
* **The Consequences of Polygamy:** The verse vividly illustrates the inherent dysfunction, jealousy, and emotional pain that arise from polygamous relationships, contrasting sharply with God's original design for marriage as a union between one man and one woman ([Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "God's design for marriage")).
* **Human Frailty and Misplaced Trust:** The women's actions highlight humanity's tendency to seek fulfillment and solutions in external things (mandrakes, human manipulation) rather than trusting in God's timing and provision. This reflects a broader biblical theme of misplaced trust.
* **God's Purpose Amidst Human Imperfection:** Even amidst the profound dysfunction and sin within Jacob's household, God continues to work His sovereign plan, using these flawed individuals and their complex relationships to establish the twelve tribes of Israel, through whom His covenant promises would be fulfilled.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 30:15, though rooted in an ancient cultural context, offers timeless insights into human nature and relationships. It serves as a potent reminder of the destructive power of envy and rivalry, illustrating how unchecked desires for status or fulfillment can poison even familial bonds. The narrative challenges us to examine where we place our trust and seek our deepest desires, warning against the futility of relying on external remedies or manipulative schemes instead of patiently trusting in God's divine provision and timing. Ultimately, it reassures us that God's overarching purposes are not thwarted by human failings, but rather, He can work through imperfect people and circumstances to accomplish His perfect will.

### FAQ
**What were mandrakes and why were they significant in this story?**

Answer: Mandrakes (Hebrew: *dudaim*) are plants with roots that often resemble human figures. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, they were widely believed to be aphrodisiacs or fertility aids, associated with love and procreation. In this story, Rachel, who was barren, desperately sought them from Leah, believing they could help her conceive a child.

**Why did Leah agree to "sell" Jacob's conjugal visit for mandrakes?**

Answer: Leah felt deeply unloved by Jacob, who favored Rachel. Her question, "Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband?" reveals her profound grievance. By bartering Jacob's conjugal visit, Leah was asserting her right to her husband's attention and affection, even if only for one night, and perhaps also seeking to gain an advantage in the competition for children, as she might have also believed in the mandrakes' efficacy or simply saw an opportunity to secure time with Jacob.

**Does this story condone polygamy or superstition?**

Answer: No, the Bible often records the realities of human behavior, including sinful practices, without necessarily endorsing them. The narrative of Jacob's household, particularly the constant strife and jealousy between Leah and Rachel, serves as a clear demonstration of the negative consequences and inherent dysfunction of polygamy, contrasting with God's original design for marriage. Similarly, the women's reliance on mandrakes highlights human superstition and misplaced trust, implicitly contrasting with God's ultimate sovereignty over fertility, which is demonstrated later in the narrative when God remembers Rachel ([Genesis 30:22](/genesis/30-22 "God remembers Rachel")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate bartering and human manipulation in Genesis 30:15 underscore humanity's profound longing for fulfillment and blessing, often sought through earthly means and personal schemes. Yet, the broader narrative of Jacob's family, despite its deep dysfunction and sin, is precisely the lineage through which God's covenant promise of a seed would come. This messy, humanly flawed family tree ultimately leads to the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the true and ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises. Unlike the fleeting hope offered by mandrakes or the temporary satisfaction of human negotiation, Christ offers eternal life, true spiritual fruitfulness, and the ultimate reconciliation that transcends all human rivalries and desperation, bringing spiritual rest and satisfaction that no earthly object or arrangement can provide.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.