Genesis 30:16

KJV

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jacob {H3290} came {H935} out of the field {H7704} in the evening {H6153}, and Leah {H3812} went out {H3318} to meet {H7125} him, and said {H559}, Thou must come in {H935} unto me; for surely {H7936} I have hired {H7936} thee with my son's {H1121} mandrakes {H1736}. And he lay {H7901} with her that night {H3915}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Ya'akov came in from the field in the evening, Le'ah went out to meet him and said, "You have to come and sleep with me, because I've hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Ya'akov slept with her that night.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.

American Standard Version

And Jacob came from the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for I have surely hired thee with my son’s mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 30:16 recounts Leah's assertive encounter with Jacob, demanding he lie with her, having "hired" him with mandrakes obtained from Rachel. This desperate exchange highlights the intense marital rivalry between Jacob's wives, Leah and Rachel, and their fervent desire for children, revealing the transactional and often painful dynamics within their polygamous household as they sought to secure status and affection through progeny.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 30:16 is set amidst the profound family drama of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, a narrative steeped in the cultural significance of childbearing in the ancient Near East. Jacob, having been deceived into marrying Leah before his beloved Rachel, became the focal point of a bitter rivalry between the sisters, both yearning to bear him children. A woman's standing and security were intrinsically linked to her ability to produce offspring, particularly sons. At this point, Rachel was barren and envied Leah's fertility, while Leah, though fertile, longed for Jacob's affection. The verse immediately follows a desperate bargain: Rachel, hoping to conceive, traded her son Reuben's mandrakes—plants believed to be fertility aids or aphrodisiacs—to Leah in exchange for a night with Jacob. Leah's bold declaration, "Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes," underscores the commercial nature of their marital relations and the overwhelming pressure to produce an heir, vividly depicting the complex and often painful dynamics within [Jacob's polygamous household](/genesis/29-30 "Read about Jacob's marriages in Genesis 29-30").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
As evening fell, Jacob returned from the field, only to be met by Leah, who boldly confronted him with an unusual proposition. Her words, "Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes," reveal the extraordinary lengths to which both sisters were willing to go in their desperate quest for children and Jacob's affection. Leah's directness is striking, asserting her claim over Jacob for the night, not based on love or marital right, but on a commercial transaction.

* **"Thou must come in unto me"**: This imperative reflects Leah's assertiveness and her determination to secure Jacob's attention and potentially another child. It highlights the power dynamics at play, where Leah, often feeling unloved, takes control of the situation, leveraging the mandrakes as her bargaining chip.
* **"I have hired thee"**: This phrase is particularly jarring, reducing the intimate act of marital union to a mere commercial transaction. It strips away any pretense of affection or mutual desire, exposing the deep brokenness and transactional nature of relationships within Jacob's family. Jacob is treated as a commodity, his presence bought and sold for the perceived benefit of fertility. This reflects the profound emotional and spiritual dysfunction caused by polygamy and the intense pressure to bear children.
* **"With my son's mandrakes"**: The Hebrew word for mandrakes is *duda'im* (דּוּדָאִים), a plant culturally associated with love, fertility, and aphrodisiac properties in the ancient Near East. Their roots often resemble human figures, which likely contributed to superstitions about their power to enhance conception. Rachel's desire for them and Leah's use of them as currency demonstrate the prevailing belief in folk remedies and human attempts to influence divine processes. This reliance on mandrakes underscores the sisters' human striving and their attempt to manipulate circumstances to achieve what they believed God was withholding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Marital Rivalry and Desperation**: The narrative vividly portrays the destructive nature of jealousy and competition within relationships, particularly when human desires for status and progeny overshadow genuine affection and trust. It highlights the emotional toll of [their ongoing sibling and spousal rivalry](/genesis/29-31 "Explore the rivalry between Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29-31").
* **Human Manipulation vs. Divine Sovereignty**: The sisters' reliance on mandrakes and their transactional bargaining illustrate human attempts to control fertility and destiny outside of divine intervention. The broader biblical narrative consistently contrasts these human schemes with God's ultimate control over life and the womb, emphasizing that it is [God who "remembers" Rachel and opens her womb](/genesis/30-22 "Read about God remembering Rachel in Genesis 30-22"), not the mandrakes.
* **Transactional Relationships and Brokenness**: The phrase "I have hired thee" reveals the profound brokenness and lack of genuine love within Jacob's family. Relationships are reduced to means to an end—children, status, or affection—reflecting the consequences of polygamy and the absence of a covenantal, loving marital bond.
* **God's Purpose Amidst Human Flaws**: Despite the messy human drama, the manipulation, and the dysfunctional relationships, God's overarching plan for the lineage of Israel continues to unfold. This passage, like many others in Genesis, demonstrates God's ability to work through imperfect people and challenging circumstances to achieve His sovereign purposes.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient narrative offers profound and timeless lessons for contemporary life. It serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of jealousy, competition, and manipulation within relationships, particularly when our desires for status, success, or fulfillment overshadow trust in God's timing and plan. The story illustrates the futility of relying on superstitions, human schemes, or transactional tactics to achieve our deepest longings, especially in matters that are ultimately under divine control. Instead of striving to control outcomes through our own means, this passage implicitly encourages us to [trust in God's sovereignty](/proverbs/3-5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart - Proverbs 3-5") and faithfulness, even when circumstances are challenging or seem beyond our control. God's purposes prevail despite human failings and complex family dynamics, calling us to surrender our anxieties and desires to His perfect will.

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

Answer: Mandrakes (Hebrew: *duda'im*) are plants native to the Mediterranean region, known for their forked roots that can resemble a human figure. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, they were widely believed to possess aphrodisiac qualities and to enhance fertility. Their significance in Genesis 30:16 lies in their role as a perceived fertility aid that Rachel desperately wanted and Leah used as a bargaining chip. This highlights the cultural superstitions and the human tendency to seek natural remedies or magical solutions for issues like barrenness, rather than relying solely on divine intervention.

**Why did Leah say, "I have hired thee" to Jacob?**

Answer: Leah's statement, "I have hired thee," is a stark declaration that underscores the transactional nature of her relationship with Jacob in this moment. It means she has paid for his presence for the night, using the mandrakes as currency. This phrase reveals the deep emotional brokenness and lack of genuine affection within their polygamous household. Leah, feeling unloved by Jacob, resorted to a commercial exchange to secure his attention and the possibility of bearing more children, highlighting the desperation and the reduction of marital intimacy to a mere transaction driven by the intense pressure to produce heirs and gain favor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The brokenness and dysfunction evident in Genesis 30:16—the marital rivalry, the transactional relationships, and the desperate human striving for fertility—underscore humanity's profound need for redemption. The sisters' reliance on mandrakes and human schemes points to the futility of seeking life and fulfillment apart from God. In Christ, we find the true source of life, fruitfulness, and relational healing. He is the one who brings true love, peace, and reconciliation where there was rivalry and manipulation. The lineage that continues through Jacob's dysfunctional family ultimately leads to Christ, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to bring forth the Savior despite human sin and weakness. Through Christ, we are offered a relationship based on grace and covenant love, not on transactions or desperate striving, and He provides the ultimate fulfillment that no earthly remedy or human scheme could ever offer.

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.