Genesis 30:3: Meaning Explained

And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children...

Genesis 30:3

“She replied, "Here is my servant Bilhah. Sleep with her so that she can bear children on my behalf, and through her I can build a family too."”

What Does This Verse Mean?

Rachel gave her servant Bilhah to Jacob so she could have children and Rachel could be considered the mother.

What’s Happening Here

Rachel was struggling because she couldn't have children, so she gave Jacob her servant to have children with instead.

servantsomeone who worked for her

bear childrento have a baby

behalffor her sake or on her side

This shows how desperate Rachel was to have children. People do complicated things when they want something badly.

This practice was allowed in that culture, but it shows sadness and desperation rather than the normal healthy family.

H559

And she saidוַתֹּ֕אמֶר

H519

Behold my maidאֲמָתִ֥י

H1090

Bilhahבִלְהָ֖ה

H935

go inבֹּ֣א

H3205

unto her and she shall bearוְתֵלֵד֙

H1290

upon my kneesבִּרְכַּ֔י

H1129

that I may also have childrenוְאִבָּנֶ֥ה

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Read Genesis 30:3 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.