Genesis 30:19

KJV

And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Leah {H3812} conceived {H2029} again, and bare {H3205} Jacob {H3290} the sixth {H8345} son {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Le'ah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Ya'akov.

Berean Standard Bible

Again Leah conceived and bore a sixth son to Jacob.

American Standard Version

And Leah conceived again, and bare a sixth son to Jacob.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 30:19 records Leah's sixth pregnancy for Jacob, culminating in the birth of another son, later identified as Zebulun. This brief verse marks a significant moment within the unfolding narrative of Jacob's family, highlighting the intense rivalry between Leah and Rachel for progeny while simultaneously underscoring God's sovereign hand in building the lineage that would form the twelve tribes of Israel. It illustrates how divine purposes advance even amidst complex human dynamics and desires.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a highly competitive and emotionally charged period in Jacob's family life, specifically focusing on the intense rivalry between his wives, Leah and Rachel, to bear children. The preceding chapters establish Jacob's initial preference for Rachel, as noted in [Genesis 29:30](/genesis/29-30 "Jacob's Love for Rachel"), which led to the Lord "opening Leah's womb" while Rachel remained barren, as recounted in [Genesis 29:31](/genesis/29-31 "The Lord Opens Leah's Womb"). By this point, Leah had already borne four sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah) and, after a period involving the use of handmaids by both wives, she also bore Issachar, mentioned just prior in [Genesis 30:18](/genesis/30-18 "The Birth of Issachar"). The birth of this sixth son, though unnamed in this specific verse, is immediately followed by his naming as Zebulun in [Genesis 30:20](/genesis/30-20 "Leah Names Zebulun"), which reveals Leah's continued hope for acceptance and a deeper bond with Jacob.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, fertility was considered a paramount blessing and a sign of divine favor, while barrenness was often viewed as a curse or a source of shame. The cultural imperative to produce male heirs was immense, as sons ensured the continuation of the family line, provided security in old age, and inherited property. This societal pressure fueled the intense competition between Leah and Rachel, leading them to employ strategies like using their handmaids as surrogates (Bilhah for Rachel and Zilpah for Leah), a practice attested in ancient legal codes like the Code of Hammurabi. The naming of children, as seen throughout [Genesis 29-30](/genesis/29 "Jacob's Marriages and Children") and particularly with Leah's sons, often reflected the mother's emotional state, prayers, or hopes, providing a window into the personal and spiritual significance of each birth.
* **Key Themes:** The birth of Leah's sixth son contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, where God actively intervenes in human affairs, even amidst complex and flawed human relationships, to fulfill His covenant promises. Despite Jacob's favoritism and the wives' rivalries, God is the ultimate giver of children, orchestrating the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel. Another prominent theme is **Family Rivalry and the Desire for Progeny**, illustrating the profound cultural importance of children and the emotional toll of barrenness and unrequited love. Leah's persistent childbearing, even when less loved, underscores God's grace and her personal journey of finding solace and meaning through her children, as seen in her declarations at each birth, particularly with Judah in [Genesis 29:35](/genesis/29-35 "Leah Praises the Lord for Judah") and Zebulun in [Genesis 30:20](/genesis/30-20 "Leah Names Zebulun"). This narrative also advances the theme of **Covenant Fulfillment**, as each son born to Jacob brings closer the realization of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants a great nation, as first articulated in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **conceived (Hebrew, _hârâh'_):** From H2029, a primitive root meaning "to be (or become) pregnant," or "to conceive" (literally or figuratively). In this context, it denotes the physical act of becoming pregnant, emphasizing Leah's continued fertility.
* **bare (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** From H3205, a primitive root meaning "to bear young" or, causatively, "to beget." It refers to the act of giving birth, specifically Leah delivering her son. This word is central to the narrative of Genesis, marking the progression of the family line.
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From H1121, meaning "a son" (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense. This term highlights the significance of the offspring as a male heir, crucial for the continuation of the patriarchal lineage and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Leah conceived again":** This phrase signifies a continuation of Leah's remarkable fertility, which has been a consistent theme since [Genesis 29:31](/genesis/29-31 "The Lord Opens Leah's Womb"). The word "again" emphasizes the repeated blessing of children upon her, contrasting with Rachel's earlier barrenness and highlighting God's ongoing favor towards Leah despite her secondary status in Jacob's affections. It sets the stage for another significant addition to Jacob's burgeoning family.
* **"and bare Jacob":** This clause directly states the outcome of Leah's conception: she gave birth to a son for Jacob. The emphasis is on the child being Jacob's, underscoring the purpose of these births in building his household and lineage, which is foundational to the formation of the nation of Israel. It also highlights Leah's role as the primary mother of Jacob's sons thus far.
* **"the sixth son":** This specific numerical detail is crucial, marking this birth as the sixth male child born to Jacob through Leah. It provides a clear genealogical marker, placing this event within the sequence of births that will eventually constitute the twelve tribes. The cumulative effect of these births, particularly from Leah, demonstrates the rapid expansion of Jacob's family and the steady progression of God's plan.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, though brief, employs several literary devices. The **Repetition** of "conceived again, and bare" echoes the pattern of previous births in [Genesis 29-30](/genesis/29 "Jacob's Marriages and Children"), emphasizing the ongoing divine blessing of fertility and the continuous growth of Jacob's family. This repetition also highlights Leah's persistent role in bearing children despite her emotional struggles. There is subtle **Foreshadowing** in the mention of "the sixth son," as it implicitly points toward the eventual formation of the twelve tribes of Israel, a foundational element of the nation's identity. The narrative also carries an element of **Irony** in that Leah, the less loved wife, is consistently the one God blesses with fertility, enabling her to bear the majority of Jacob's direct sons, thereby significantly contributing to the lineage of the chosen people. This divine intervention subtly underscores God's ability to work through unexpected channels and human imperfections to achieve His ultimate purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, like the preceding birth accounts, is not merely a genealogical record but a profound theological statement about God's active involvement in the formation of Israel. It powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand guiding events, even through human imperfections, rivalries, and unconventional choices, to fulfill His divine purposes. The narrative consistently portrays God as the ultimate giver of children, opening and closing wombs as He wills, demonstrating that His plans are not thwarted by human weakness or relational strife. Leah's persistent childbearing, despite being less favored by Jacob, underscores God's grace and her personal journey of finding solace and meaning through her children, highlighting the value of children as a divine blessing and a sign of God's favor. Each son born to Jacob, including this sixth son, contributes to the growing family that will eventually become a great nation, fulfilling the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac.

* [Psalms 127:3](/psalms/127-3 "Children are a heritage from the Lord")
* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Covenant Promise to Abraham")
* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "God's Sovereign Choice of Jacob over Esau")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ongoing narrative of Jacob's family, including Leah's persistent childbearing, offers timeless insights into God's character and our own lives. We learn that God often works through flawed individuals and complex, even messy, human situations to accomplish His perfect will, demonstrating that His purposes are not thwarted by our imperfections or rivalries. Leah's life, marked by the pain of unrequited love from Jacob, yet finding purpose and expressing hope through her children, encourages us to trust in divine providence. Even in challenging circumstances or within difficult family dynamics, we can find solace and strength in knowing that God is sovereign and actively involved in shaping lives and fulfilling His long-term plans for His people. This narrative reminds us that God's blessing often manifests in ways we least expect, and that true fulfillment comes not from human approval but from recognizing and participating in His divine purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Leah's experience of finding purpose through her children, despite her personal pain, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's work in difficult circumstances?**
* **In what ways do you see God working through imperfect situations or human rivalries in your own life or in the world around you?**
* **How does the emphasis on God's sovereignty in this passage encourage you to trust His plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unfair?**

### FAQ
**Why was bearing children so important to Jacob's wives?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, bearing children, especially sons, was crucial for a woman's status, security, and identity within the family and society. It ensured the continuation of the family line, provided heirs for inheritance, and was often seen as a direct divine blessing. For Jacob's wives, it was also a source of intense rivalry and a means to secure Jacob's favor and love, as seen in the competition detailed throughout [Genesis 29](/genesis/29 "Jacob's Marriages and Children") and [Genesis 30](/genesis/30 "Jacob's Children").

**How does God's sovereignty relate to the human choices and rivalries in this narrative?**

Answer: The narrative consistently portrays God as sovereign over fertility and life, opening and closing wombs as He wills, as explicitly stated in [Genesis 29:31](/genesis/29-31 "The Lord Opens Leah's Womb") and [Genesis 30:22](/genesis/30-22 "God Remembers Rachel"). While the wives engage in intense rivalry, make human choices, and even use unconventional methods like mandrakes or handmaids, the text ultimately attributes the outcome of each birth to God's will. This demonstrates that God works through, and sometimes in spite of, human actions and imperfections to accomplish His divine plan, ensuring the lineage of His chosen people progresses according to His design.

**What is the significance of Leah naming her sons based on her emotional state?**

Answer: Leah's practice of naming her sons in reflection of her emotional state, prayers, and hopes (e.g., Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun) highlights her deep spiritual and emotional journey. It shows her constant turning to God in her pain and desire for acceptance, and her recognition of God's hand in her life, even when her human relationships were strained. Her names are a form of personal worship and testimony, revealing her longing for Jacob's love and her ultimate reliance on God for her worth and blessing, as she declares with the birth of Judah, "Now I will praise the Lord!" ([Genesis 29:35](/genesis/29-35 "Leah Names Judah")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The births of Jacob's sons, including Leah's sixth son, Zebulun, are crucial steps in the unfolding lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come. While the immediate context reveals human rivalry and imperfect family dynamics, God's faithfulness in building this family points to His overarching covenantal promise to bring forth a chosen people and, eventually, a Savior. The persistent fruitfulness of Leah, despite being less loved by Jacob, foreshadows God's grace in choosing the humble and overlooked to participate in His grand redemptive plan, a theme powerfully echoed in the New Testament where God often chooses the weak and despised things of the world to shame the strong ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "God Chooses the Weak")). Ultimately, this lineage culminates in Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's promise to dwell with His people, establishing an eternal household and kingdom not of human striving but of divine grace, as prophesied in [Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "Prophecy of Immanuel") and fulfilled in [Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Immanuel: God With Us"). Through Christ, the true "dwelling" (a play on Zebulun's name) with God is made possible, ushering in the new covenant where believers become children of God not by natural descent or human will, but by God's will ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "Children of God by Faith")).

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.