Genesis 35:16

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

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context of Genesis 35:16

Genesis 35:16 marks a significant, yet somber, point in Jacob's journey. Having recently departed from Bethel, where God had reaffirmed His covenant and promises to him, Jacob and his large household were traveling southward. This verse places them "a little way to come to Ephrath," which is historically identified with Bethlehem. The narrative quickly shifts from the divine encounter at Bethel to a deeply personal and painful event: Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife and mother of Joseph, goes into difficult labor. This journey was part of Jacob's return to the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's directive to go back to his homeland.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Transition and Journey: The verse highlights the constant movement and unsettled nature of Jacob's life, a common theme in the patriarchal narratives. Life's journey often brings unexpected challenges.
  • Life and Death Intertwined: This verse immediately precedes the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel. It starkly illustrates how life's greatest joys (childbirth) can be inextricably linked with profound sorrow and loss.
  • Human Frailty and Suffering: Rachel's "hard labour" emphasizes the painful realities of human existence and the physical suffering that is part of the fallen world. Despite God's blessings and promises, hardship is still a part of the human experience.
  • Foreshadowing: The intense difficulty of Rachel's labor foreshadows the tragic outcome described in the subsequent verses, setting a poignant tone for this part of Jacob's story.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "travailed, and she had hard labour" vividly conveys the severity of Rachel's condition. The Hebrew word for "travailed" (ื—ึธื‘ึทืœ, chaval) denotes the act of being in labor, while "hard" (ืงึธืฉืึธื”, qashah) means difficult, severe, or grievous. This combination paints a picture of extreme pain and danger. It underscores the physical agony Rachel endured, a stark contrast to her earlier longing for children, as expressed in Genesis 30:1, "Give me children, or else I die." Tragically, in giving birth, she would indeed die.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

Genesis 35:16 reminds us that life's journey often presents unexpected difficulties, even amidst divine blessings and promises. It teaches us about:

  1. The Reality of Suffering: Even for those in God's covenant, life is not without pain and hardship. This verse offers a realistic portrayal of human struggle.
  2. Empathy and Compassion: The vivid description of Rachel's "hard labour" invites us to empathize with those experiencing physical or emotional distress, reminding us of the vulnerability of life.
  3. Trust in God's Sovereignty: While tragic, Rachel's death and Benjamin's birth are part of the larger tapestry of God's plan for Jacob's family, from whom the twelve tribes of Israel would descend. Even in sorrow, God's purposes continue to unfold.
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Cross-References

  • Micah 5:2 (5 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 2 Kings 5:19 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 35:19 (2 votes)

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

  • Psalms 132:6 (2 votes)

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