Genesis 35:16

KJV

¶ And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they journeyed {H5265} from Bethel {H1008}; and there was but {H5750} a little {H3530} way {H776} to come {H935} to Ephrath {H672}: and Rachel {H7354} travailed {H3205}, and she had hard {H7185} labour {H3205}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they traveled on from Beit-El, and while there was still some distance to go before arriving in Efrat, Rachel went into labor, and she had great difficulty with it.

Berean Standard Bible

Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult.

American Standard Version

And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was still some distance to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 35:16 recounts a pivotal and deeply poignant moment in Jacob's journey southward from Bethel. As his large household approached Ephrath, later known as Bethlehem, his beloved wife Rachel entered into an intensely difficult and dangerous labor. This verse serves as a somber and critical prelude to the birth of Benjamin and the tragic death of Rachel, highlighting the intertwined realities of life, suffering, and divine purpose within the unfolding patriarchal narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately following Jacob's profound encounter with God at [Bethel, where the Lord reaffirmed His covenant promises](/genesis/35-9-15 "God's Reaffirmation of Covenant to Jacob at Bethel") to him and his descendants. The narrative then abruptly shifts from divine blessing and prophetic vision to the harsh reality of human suffering and mortality. This juxtaposition creates a powerful dramatic effect, emphasizing that even those under God's direct blessing are not exempt from the trials of a fallen world. The verse also directly precedes the detailed account of Rachel's death and the birth of Benjamin in [Genesis 35:17-19](/genesis/35-17-19 "Rachel's Death and Benjamin's Birth"), setting the stage for one of the most sorrowful events in Jacob's life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jacob's journey southward was part of his return to the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's earlier command to return to his homeland ([Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God Commands Jacob to Return to Canaan")). Travel in the ancient Near East was arduous, especially for a large household with women, children, and livestock. Childbirth, particularly in nomadic or semi-nomadic settings without modern medical care, was inherently dangerous. The high mortality rate for both mothers and infants was a stark reality, making Rachel's "hard labour" a life-threatening situation. Ephrath, identified with Bethlehem, was a significant location in Canaan, though its full biblical importance would only unfold centuries later.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 35:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. It underscores the theme of **God's faithfulness amidst human frailty**, as the divine promises to Jacob continue to unfold even through personal tragedy. It highlights the **pilgrimage nature of life**, where Jacob's constant movement is marked by both divine encounters and profound suffering. Furthermore, it starkly portrays the **intertwined realities of life and death**, demonstrating how moments of creation (birth) can be inextricably linked with loss, a poignant reflection on the consequences of the fall found throughout [the human story in Genesis](/genesis/3 "The Fall of Humanity"). The mention of Ephrath also subtly introduces the theme of **significant geographical locations** in God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse "And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour" is a concise yet emotionally charged account of a pivotal moment in Jacob's family history.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Journeyed (Hebrew, _nâçaʻ'_):** H5265. This primitive root signifies "to pull up," especially tent-pins, indicating the act of starting on a journey or moving camp. It highlights the nomadic and unsettled nature of the patriarchs' lives, constantly on the move under God's direction. In this context, it marks a physical progression from a place of divine revelation (Bethel) towards a destination that would become a site of profound human suffering.
* **Travailed (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** H3205. This primitive root means "to bear young" or "to beget," often referring to the act of childbirth. It can also imply the pain and effort associated with labor. The repetition of this root in the verse ("travailed" and "labour") emphasizes the ongoing and intense nature of Rachel's ordeal, underscoring the physical agony she was enduring.
* **Hard (Hebrew, _qâshâh'_):** H7185. This primitive root means "to be dense," "tough," or "severe." When applied to labor, as here, it conveys extreme difficulty, grievousness, or a life-threatening situation. The use of "hard" powerfully intensifies the description of Rachel's labor, signaling the critical and dangerous nature of her condition and foreshadowing the tragic outcome.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they journeyed from Bethel":** This clause establishes the immediate past event and the direction of travel. Having just experienced a reaffirmation of God's covenant at Bethel, Jacob and his large family are now on the move, continuing their pilgrimage towards the promised land. This movement underscores the dynamic and often challenging nature of their lives.
* **"and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath":** This phrase pinpoints their approximate location, indicating they were very close to their destination. Ephrath is historically recognized as an older name for Bethlehem, a place that would later hold immense significance in biblical history, particularly as the birthplace of King David and, crucially, the Messiah. The proximity to this future sacred site adds a layer of poignant irony to the impending tragedy.
* **"and Rachel travailed":** This marks the onset of Rachel's labor. Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife and mother of Joseph, begins the painful process of childbirth. The simple statement conveys the beginning of a profound physical and emotional ordeal for her.
* **"and she had hard labour":** This final clause intensifies the description, emphasizing the severity and difficulty of Rachel's childbirth. The term "hard labour" (combining `qâshâh` and `yâlad`) vividly portrays the extreme pain and life-threatening nature of her condition, setting a somber tone for the subsequent events of her death and the birth of Benjamin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the immediate transition from the divine encounter and covenant renewal at Bethel to the raw, painful reality of Rachel's "hard labour." This stark contrast highlights the truth that divine blessing does not negate human suffering. **Foreshadowing** is strongly present in the description of Rachel's "hard labour," which powerfully anticipates her death in the very next verses ([Genesis 35:18-19](/genesis/35-18-19 "Rachel's Death and Benjamin's Birth")). The intensity of her suffering serves as a grim premonition of the tragic outcome. Finally, the verse evokes **pathos**, drawing the reader into the emotional weight of Rachel's distress and the impending sorrow for Jacob and his family.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 35:16 powerfully illustrates that even within God's unfolding redemptive plan for His chosen people, life is marked by profound suffering and loss. Rachel's "hard labour" reminds us that the realities of a fallen world, including pain, struggle, and death, are experienced even by those closest to God's covenant promises. Yet, it is precisely through these human events—both joyous and tragic—that God's sovereign purposes continue to advance, leading to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel and ultimately, the lineage of the Messiah. The mention of Ephrath subtly hints at the divine orchestration of locations for future pivotal events in salvation history.

* [Genesis 30:1](/genesis/30-1 "Rachel's Cry for Children")
* [Genesis 35:18-19](/genesis/35-18-19 "The Birth of Benjamin and Death of Rachel")
* [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Prophecy of Messiah's Birth in Bethlehem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 35:16 offers a poignant reminder that the journey of faith is rarely a straight or easy path, even for those walking in direct obedience to God. It confronts us with the raw realities of human vulnerability, suffering, and loss, even in the midst of divine blessing and covenant promises. Rachel's agony underscores that pain is an intrinsic part of the human experience in a fallen world, inviting us to cultivate empathy for those enduring physical or emotional distress. This verse challenges us to trust in God's overarching sovereignty and benevolent purposes, even when circumstances are deeply painful or seemingly contradictory to our expectations of blessing. It encourages us to find solace in the knowledge that God is present in our suffering, weaving even our deepest sorrows into the larger, beautiful tapestry of His redemptive plan, just as Rachel's death paved the way for the completion of Jacob's twelve sons.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the juxtaposition of God's blessing at Bethel and Rachel's suffering challenge or affirm your understanding of God's presence in difficult times?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage empathy for those experiencing physical or emotional pain, particularly in circumstances beyond their control?**
* **How can we reconcile the reality of suffering with the belief in a good and sovereign God, as exemplified in this narrative?**
* **What does Rachel's "hard labour" teach us about the cost of bringing forth life, both physically and spiritually?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Ephrath in this verse?**

Answer: Ephrath is an ancient name for Bethlehem, a town that holds immense biblical and theological significance. Its mention here is a subtle yet powerful **foreshadowing** of future pivotal events. Centuries later, Bethlehem would be prophesied as the birthplace of the Messiah ([Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem, Messiah's Birthplace")), and it would indeed be the birthplace of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. Thus, this moment of profound human suffering and birth occurs near a location central to God's redemptive plan.

**Why is Rachel's "hard labour" emphasized?**

Answer: The emphasis on Rachel's "hard labour" ([H7185 qâshâh](/genesis/35-16 "Genesis 35:16 - Rachel's Hard Labour")) serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it highlights the severe physical suffering she endured, underscoring the painful realities of human existence and the dangers of childbirth in the ancient world. Secondly, it creates intense **pathos**, drawing the reader into the emotional gravity of the situation. Most importantly, it acts as a powerful **foreshadowing** of her imminent death, which is explicitly stated in the very next verses ([Genesis 35:17-19](/genesis/35-17-19 "Rachel's Death and Benjamin's Birth")). This emphasis underscores the intertwined nature of life and death, joy and sorrow, within the biblical narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 35:16 directly describes a moment of human suffering and birth within the patriarchal narrative, it profoundly points toward Christ in several significant ways. The geographical mention of Ephrath, an older name for Bethlehem, is deeply prophetic, as it is the very place where the Messiah would be born centuries later, as foretold in [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Prophecy of Christ's Birth"). Rachel's intense suffering and ultimate death in bringing forth her son, Benjamin, who completed the twelve sons of Israel, can be seen as a poignant foreshadowing of the greater suffering and sacrificial death of Christ. Just as Rachel's profound cost brought forth a son who became part of the lineage of God's chosen people, Christ's unparalleled suffering and death on the cross brought forth spiritual children for God and new life for all humanity ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Becoming Children of God")). His sacrifice, far exceeding any human pain, was the ultimate act of love that conquered sin and death, fulfilling God's redemptive plan in a way that truly brings forth life from death ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

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.

Cross-References

Micah 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:18

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping [for] her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Genesis 48:7

And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet [there was] but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same [is] Bethlehem.

1 Timothy 2:15

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

2 Kings 5:19

And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

Genesis 35:19

And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.

Psalms 132:6

Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.