Genesis 30:6

And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

And Rachel {H7354} said {H559}, God {H430} hath judged {H1777} me, and hath also heard {H8085} my voice {H6963}, and hath given {H5414} me a son {H1121}: therefore called {H7121} she his name {H8034} Dan {H1835}.

Rachel said, "God has judged in my favor; indeed he has heard me and given me a son." Therefore she called him Dan [he judged].

Then Rachel said, โ€œGod has vindicated me; He has heard my plea and given me a son.โ€ So she named him Dan.

And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

Commentary

Genesis 30:6 records a significant moment in the life of Rachel, Jacob's beloved but long-barren wife. After years of distress and waiting, she finally conceives a son through her handmaid Bilhah, attributing this blessing directly to God's intervention. The naming of her son, Dan, powerfully reflects her conviction that God had heard her plea and vindicated her.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of intense rivalry and longing within Jacob's household. Rachel, though Jacob's favored wife, suffered from barrenness, a deep personal and cultural shame in ancient Israel. Her sister Leah, whom Jacob loved less, had already borne him four sons. Rachel's desperation is evident earlier when she confronts Jacob, crying, "Give me children, or else I die." In a common practice of the time, she gave her handmaid, Bilhah, to Jacob to bear children on her behalf, hoping to build a family through her. This verse marks the birth of Bilhah's first son, whom Rachel immediately claims as her own, seeing it as God's answer to her fervent prayers.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention and Answered Prayer: The verse highlights God's sovereignty and His attentiveness to the cries of His people. Rachel's statement, "God hath heard my voice," underscores her belief that her long-held petition had been answered by divine power, paralleling Hannah's similar prayer for a son in the Old Testament.
  • Vindication and Justice: Rachel's declaration, "God hath judged me," does not mean condemnation but rather vindication. In the context of her barrenness and the societal pressure she faced, she felt God had ruled in her favor, affirming her worth and granting her desire. This speaks to God as a just God who sees and responds to the plights of His children.
  • Significance of Names: Biblical names often carry profound meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, character, or prophetic destiny. The name Dan (ื“ึธึผืŸ) is directly linked to the Hebrew verb din (ื“ึดึผื™ืŸ), meaning "to judge" or "to vindicate." Rachel's naming choice perfectly encapsulates her experience of God's 'judgment' on her behalf.

Linguistic Insights

The name Dan (ื“ึธึผืŸ) comes from the Hebrew root din (ื“ึดึผื™ืŸ), which means "to judge," "to contend," or "to plead a cause." When Rachel says, "God hath judged me" (ืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื ื“ึธึผื ึทื ึดึผื™ - Elohim dananni), she is expressing that God has acted as her judge, not in a condemning sense, but in a way that vindicates her and settles her dispute (with barrenness or with her sister in a spiritual sense). It signifies God's intervention to set things right and fulfill her desire.

Practical Application

Genesis 30:6 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Persistence in Prayer: Rachel's long wait teaches the importance of persevering in prayer, even when answers seem delayed. God hears and answers in His perfect timing.
  2. Trusting God's Vindication: When facing personal struggles, injustices, or deep desires, we can trust that God sees our situation and will ultimately act as our righteous judge and vindicator.
  3. Acknowledging God's Hand: Like Rachel, we are called to recognize and credit God for the blessings and breakthroughs in our lives, attributing success and fulfillment to His divine favor.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 43:1 (5 votes)

    ยถ Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.

  • Psalms 35:24 (5 votes)

    Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.

  • Lamentations 3:59 (5 votes)

    O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause.

  • Genesis 49:16 (4 votes)

    Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel.

  • Genesis 49:17 (4 votes)

    Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

  • Genesis 35:25 (3 votes)

    And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:

  • Genesis 29:32 (3 votes)

    And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.