GENESIS 30

JACOB’S CHILDREN THROUGH BILHAH, ZILPAH, LEAH, + RACHEL

Rachel is envious of Leah for being able to have children and tells Jacob that she will die if she does not have children. 

Similar to Sarah’s strategy with Hagar in Genesis 16, Rachel gives Jacob her servant Bilhah to have a child with her. Bilhah has two sons with Jacob, named Dan and Naphtali. 

Leah also wants to give Jacob more children, so she offers her servant, Zilpah. Zilphah has two sons with Jacob as well, named Gad and Asher. 

Rachel trades a night with Jacob for some of Leah’s mandrakes, a plant known for aiding with fertility. Leah gets pregnant twice more, first with Isaachar and then with Zebulun. 

God remembered Rachel and opens her womb, allowing her to conceive. Rachel gets pregnant with Joseph, Jacob’s son whom he loves the most.