Genesis 30:21

KJV

And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And afterwards {H310} she bare {H3205} a daughter {H1323}, and called {H7121} her name {H8034} Dinah {H1783}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After this, she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah [controversy over rights].

Berean Standard Bible

After that, Leah gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.

American Standard Version

And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 30:21](/genesis/30-21 "The birth of Dinah") records the birth of Dinah, Leah's only explicitly named daughter among Jacob's twelve children. This brief but pivotal verse marks a significant moment in the unfolding narrative of Jacob's expanding family, highlighting the complex dynamics and ongoing competition between his wives, Leah and Rachel, as God continues to build the patriarchal lineage.

### CONTEXT
This verse concludes a remarkable period of intense childbearing within Jacob's household, detailed across [Genesis chapters 29 and 30](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/29 "Jacob's Marriages and Children"). Following years of Rachel's barrenness and Leah's initial fertility, the narrative describes Jacob fathering children through the handmaids Bilhah (Rachel's servant) and Zilpah (Leah's servant). Leah had recently given birth to Issachar and Zebulun, expressing gratitude and hope in their names ([Genesis 30:18](/genesis/30-18 "Leah names Issachar"), [Genesis 30:20](/genesis/30-20 "Leah names Zebulun")). Dinah's birth is presented as Leah's final recorded child in this phase of family formation, immediately preceding Rachel's long-awaited conception of Joseph ([Genesis 30:22-24](/genesis/30-22 "Rachel conceives Joseph")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 30:21](/genesis/30-21 "Dinah's birth") states simply, "And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah." This verse, while concise, carries significant weight within the broader patriarchal narrative.

* **Leah's Final Child in This Sequence:** Dinah is Leah's seventh and final recorded child with Jacob—six sons and one daughter. Her birth solidifies Leah's position as the mother of the majority of Jacob's children, a testament to God's favor despite her secondary status in Jacob's affections. This birth also sets the stage for Rachel's long-awaited conception, shifting the narrative focus.
* **The Naming of Dinah:** Leah names her daughter Dinah (Hebrew: *Dīnah*, דִּינָה), which means "judged" or "vindicated." This naming choice aligns with Leah's previous patterns, where she often expressed her feelings about her standing with Jacob or God's favor. For instance, she named Judah, saying, "Now will I praise the Lord" ([Genesis 29:35](/genesis/29-35 "Leah names Judah")), and Zebulun, hoping for Jacob to "dwell with" her ([Genesis 30:20](/genesis/30-20 "Leah names Zebulun")). Dinah's name likely reflects Leah's sense of being "judged" or "vindicated" by God in her ability to bear children for Jacob, especially after a pause in her childbearing, confirming her place within the family.
* **Significance of a Daughter:** While the patriarchal narratives primarily focus on sons for the continuation of lineage, the explicit naming of Dinah highlights the presence and importance of daughters within the family structure. Her later, tragic story in [Genesis 34](/genesis/34-1 "The story of Dinah") underscores that even a daughter's life could have profound and far-reaching implications for Jacob's family and tribal relations. Her inclusion in the family roster here is not merely an aside but a foundational detail for future events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Continued Providence:** Even amidst the unconventional, polygamous, and often contentious family dynamics, God's hand is evident in the growth of Jacob's lineage. Dinah's birth underscores the divine blessing on Jacob's household, ensuring the continuation and expansion of the patriarchal line, regardless of human intentions or rivalries.
* **The Value of Daughters:** While sons typically carried the covenantal lineage, the naming of Dinah affirms the presence and inherent value of daughters within the family. Her later narrative demonstrates that daughters, too, contribute significantly to the unfolding story of God's people, even if their roles are different from sons.
* **Leah's Enduring Hope and Faith:** Dinah's birth, with its name "vindicated," showcases Leah's persistent desire for Jacob's love and her continued reliance on God's favor. Her naming patterns throughout this period reveal a woman who continually looks to God for affirmation and blessing, even in difficult circumstances.
* **Foundation for Future Events:** This seemingly minor birth is a crucial setup for later, more dramatic events in the narrative, particularly the events of [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "Dinah and the Shechemites"), which profoundly impact Jacob's family and their relationship with the surrounding peoples.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Dinah's brief mention here reminds us that every individual, whether prominent or seemingly minor in the biblical narrative, plays a role in God's overarching plan. It highlights the intricate and sometimes messy reality of human families, within which God's purposes are still advanced. The story of Jacob's family, including the birth of Dinah, serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in building a nation from humble and often flawed beginnings, demonstrating how divine providence works through human circumstances to fulfill His promises, such as the [covenant made with Abraham](/genesis/12-2 "God's covenant promise to Abraham"). We are called to trust God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem chaotic or insignificant.

### FAQ

**Why is Dinah the only daughter of Jacob explicitly named in the list of his children?**

Answer: While Jacob undoubtedly had other daughters (implied by [Genesis 37:35](/genesis/37-35 "Jacob mourns Joseph") and [Genesis 46:7](/genesis/46-7 "Jacob's family enters Egypt")), Dinah is the only one explicitly named in the primary genealogical accounts because her life and the events surrounding her in [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "The rape of Dinah") have significant implications for the narrative and the development of Jacob's family and the nascent Israelite tribes. Her naming foreshadows these later crucial events.

**What is the significance of Dinah's name?**

Answer: The name Dinah (Hebrew: *Dīnah*) means "judged" or "vindicated." Leah's choice of this name likely reflects her ongoing spiritual and emotional journey, where she felt God had "judged" her situation or "vindicated" her by granting her more children, particularly after a pause in childbearing. It underscores her persistent hope and reliance on God's favor in her rivalry with Rachel for Jacob's affection.

**How does Dinah's birth contribute to the larger narrative of Genesis?**

Answer: Dinah's birth is crucial because it completes Leah's childbearing in this phase, setting the stage for Rachel's long-awaited conception of Joseph. More importantly, her existence is foundational for the events of [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "The incident with Dinah"), where her defilement leads to a violent retaliation by her brothers, Simeon and Levi. This incident profoundly impacts the family's reputation, their relationship with the Canaanites, and the future character of the tribes of Israel, demonstrating how individual lives, even those seemingly minor, can have major consequences in God's unfolding plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The birth of Dinah, though seemingly a minor detail, contributes to the overarching narrative of God's faithfulness in building a chosen people through whom His redemptive plan would unfold. As a child of Jacob, Dinah is part of the burgeoning family that would become the twelve tribes of Israel, the very lineage from which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would ultimately descend. Her inclusion, even with the later tragic events, underscores that God works through real, often flawed, human families and their complex histories to establish the covenant line that leads to the ultimate "seed" of Abraham, who brings blessing to all nations ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the seed of Abraham")). The growth of Jacob's family, including Dinah, is a step in the divine orchestration of a people prepared to receive and embody God's promises, culminating in Christ's incarnation and redemptive work.

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.