Genesis 30:18

KJV

And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Leah {H3812} said {H559}, God {H430} hath given {H5414} me my hire {H7939}, because {H834} I have given {H5414} my maiden {H8198} to my husband {H376}: and she called {H7121} his name {H8034} Issachar {H3485}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Le'ah said, "God has given me my hire, because I gave my slave-girl to my husband." So she called him Yissakhar [hire, reward].

Berean Standard Bible

Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar.

American Standard Version

And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I gave my handmaid to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 30:18 records the birth of Issachar, Leah's fifth son, and her declaration that God had given her "my hire" or reward for giving her maidservant, Zilpah, to Jacob. This moment highlights Leah's perception of divine recompense amidst intense familial competition for children and affection within Jacob's household, underscoring God's sovereign involvement in the unfolding narrative of Israel's twelve tribes.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within the complex and often dramatic narrative of Jacob's family, specifically the deep-seated rivalry between his wives, Leah and Rachel, for his affection and the ability to bear children. Prior to Issachar's birth, Leah had already borne Jacob four sons—[Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah](/genesis/29-35 "Leah's first four sons")—while Rachel remained barren. Both women resorted to using their maidservants as surrogates to bear children for Jacob, further complicating the family tree and intensifying the competition. Just before this verse, Rachel had traded a night with Jacob for Leah in exchange for some mandrakes, which were believed to aid fertility, as detailed in [Genesis 30:14-16](/genesis/30-14 "The mandrakes incident"). Following this arrangement, Leah conceives again, leading to the birth of Issachar, and her statement reflects her profound belief that God was acknowledging her efforts and faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In [Genesis 30:18](/genesis/30-18 "The birth of Issachar"), Leah's declaration, "God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband," reveals her interpretation of divine intervention in her life. The term "hire" (Hebrew: *sakhar*) signifies a wage, reward, or recompense. Leah explicitly attributes the birth of her fifth son to God's direct action, viewing it as a divine payment or acknowledgment for her earlier decision to give her maidservant, Zilpah, to Jacob to bear children on her behalf. This act, while born out of the competitive and often desperate circumstances of the household, was evidently seen by Leah as a form of service or sacrifice that God had now rewarded with another child of her own.

The naming of the child, Issachar (Hebrew: *Yissakhar*), directly reflects Leah's statement. The name itself is rooted in the Hebrew word for "hire" or "reward," and can be interpreted as "there is hire" or "he is hired/rewarded." This linguistic connection underscores Leah's heartfelt acknowledgment of God's role in her fertility and the expansion of Jacob's family. Her statement is not just a personal expression of gratitude but also a theological affirmation that God is actively involved in the seemingly mundane and often flawed human affairs, bringing about His purposes even through the complex dynamics of a polygamous household. The birth of Issachar further solidifies Leah's position within the family and contributes another vital link to the burgeoning lineage that would eventually form the twelve tribes of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence and Recompense:** Leah's explicit statement, "God hath given me my hire," highlights the biblical theme of acknowledging God's sovereign hand in all life's circumstances. She perceives this child as a divine wage or reward for her actions, demonstrating a belief in God's active involvement and His capacity to bless and recompense.
* **Familial Competition and Legacy:** The narrative underscores the profound desire for progeny in ancient Israel and the intense rivalry between Leah and Rachel. Each child represented not only personal fulfillment but also a strengthening of one's position within the family and a crucial contribution to Jacob's burgeoning lineage, which was destined to become the twelve tribes of Israel.
* **The Significance of Naming:** Biblical names often carry profound prophetic or descriptive meaning. Issachar's name directly reflects Leah's interpretation of his birth as a divine "hire" or reward, emphasizing God's direct involvement in her life and the outcomes of her actions, thereby imbuing the child with a theological significance from birth.
* **God's Work Through Imperfection:** The broader narrative of Jacob's family is far from perfect, marked by rivalry, deception, and human maneuvering. Yet, God sovereignly works through human flaws and imperfect situations to fulfill His ultimate plan, demonstrating His ability to bring good out of less-than-ideal circumstances and to establish the twelve tribes.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 30:18](/genesis/30-18 "The birth of Issachar") offers several insights for contemporary reflection, primarily calling us to recognize God's sovereignty and involvement in our lives, even amidst challenging or unconventional circumstances. Leah's immediate attribution of Issachar's birth to God's "hire" serves as a powerful reminder to seek God's purpose in all situations and to give Him credit for our blessings, acknowledging that His hand is at work even when our paths are imperfect. While the context is complex, Leah's statement hints at a reward for her "giving," prompting us to consider how our acts of service, generosity, and faithfulness might be acknowledged and blessed by God in unexpected ways, as we are encouraged not to grow weary in doing good ([Galatians 6:9](/galatians/6-9 "Do not grow weary in doing good")). Ultimately, this passage reminds us that God faithfully works through human flaws and imperfect situations to fulfill His ultimate plan, demonstrating His ability to bring about His purposes despite our limitations.

### FAQ
**Why did Leah believe Issachar was her "hire" from God?**

Answer: Leah believed Issachar was her "hire" (or reward/wages) from God because she had given her maidservant, Zilpah, to Jacob to bear children on her behalf. In the competitive environment of Jacob's household, where bearing children was highly valued, Leah saw this act of "giving" as a service or sacrifice that God had now recompensed by granting her another son of her own.

**What is the meaning of the name Issachar?**

Answer: The name Issachar (Hebrew: *Yissakhar*) is directly linked to Leah's declaration. It is derived from the Hebrew word *sakhar*, meaning "wages," "hire," or "reward." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "there is hire" or "he is hired/rewarded," reflecting Leah's belief that his birth was a divine recompense.

**How does this passage show God working through human imperfection?**

Answer: This passage, like much of the Jacob narrative, illustrates God's sovereign ability to work through imperfect human situations, including familial rivalry, polygamy, and desperate human strategies (like using maidservants as surrogates or trading mandrakes). Despite these flawed circumstances and human maneuvering, God faithfully continues to build Jacob's family, ultimately establishing the twelve tribes of Israel, through whom His redemptive plan would unfold.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The birth of Issachar, as one of Jacob's twelve sons, is a vital step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, which culminates in Christ. While Issachar's tribe does not directly produce the Messiah, his birth signifies God's faithfulness in building the lineage from which the promised Seed would come. God's sovereign hand, acknowledged by Leah even in her imperfect circumstances, demonstrates His consistent work through human history to establish a people for Himself. The ultimate "hire" or reward for humanity's service and God's faithfulness is found not in earthly progeny alone, but in the coming of Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, who fulfills all the promises made to the patriarchs and brings the ultimate recompense of salvation and eternal life to all who believe. Through the lineage established by Jacob's sons, including Issachar, God prepared the way for the King who would rule forever, as prophesied about Judah in [Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Jacob's prophecy about Judah").

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.