Gen 30:1-8 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 30:1-8: 30:1-8 Rachel’s naming of sons through Bilhah does not reflect faith as Leah’s namings had. Rachel felt wronged over the marriage and her barrenness. The names of Bilhah’s sons reflect Rachel’s bitter struggle with her sister and her feeling of some victory. Summary for Gen 30:1-2: 30:1-2 In that culture, it was like death for a woman not to have children (cp. 1 Sam 1 ); only God could open Rachel’s womb.

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‏ Genesis 30:1-8

Summary for Gen 30:1-8: 30:1-8 ^a Rachel’s naming of sons through Bilhah does not reflect faith as Leah’s namings had. Rachel felt wronged over the marriage and her barrenness. The names of Bilhah’s sons reflect Rachel’s bitter struggle with her sister and her feeling of some victory.
Summary for Gen 30:1-2: 30:1-2 ^b In that culture, it was like death for a woman not to have children (cp. 1 Sam 1 ^c); only God could open Rachel’s womb.
Summary for Gen 30:3-4: 30:3-4 ^d Rachel’s decision to have children through her servant, and Jacob’s compliance, recall Sarai’s use of Hagar (16:1-4 ^e).
Summary for Gen 30:5-6: 30:5-6 ^f Dan means “he judged” or “he vindicated.” Rachel felt vindicated (Hebrew dananni) by Dan’s birth.
Summary for Gen 30:7-8: 30:7-8 ^g The name Naphtali is related to the clause I have struggled hard (Hebrew naptule ’elohim niptalti, “I have struggled the struggles of God”).