Genesis 30:19 kjv

And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.

Genesis 30:19 nkjv

Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son.

Genesis 30:19 niv

Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son.

Genesis 30:19 esv

And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son.

Genesis 30:19 nlt

Then Leah became pregnant again and gave birth to a sixth son for Jacob.

Genesis 30 verses

Genesis 30 19 Meaning

Genesis 30:19 describes the continuation of Leah's fertility as she again conceives and bears her sixth son to Jacob. This verse highlights God's ongoing involvement in the lives of the patriarchs, particularly His compassion for Leah despite Jacob's preference for Rachel. It signifies the miraculous and sovereign provision of children, expanding the lineage that would become the twelve tribes of Israel. Leah's repeated conceptions affirm divine blessing and serve to build the foundational family unit chosen by God.

Genesis 30 19 Context

Genesis 30:19 is situated within the highly competitive birthing narrative of Jacob's family (Gen 29-30), particularly between Leah and Rachel, who vie for Jacob's affection through the giving of children. Before this verse, Leah had already borne four sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah), followed by two sons by her maidservant Zilpah (Gad, Asher), and then two sons by Rachel's maidservant Bilhah (Dan, Naphtali), who Rachel used to gain children through Jacob. Immediately preceding this verse, Leah had borne her fifth son, Issachar, after the unusual "mandrakes incident" (Gen 30:14-16) where she traded a night with Jacob for some mandrakes. The desire for children was paramount in ancient Near Eastern culture, as lineage secured inheritance, tribal identity, and societal status, especially for women. Barrenness was considered a great affliction, sometimes even a divine curse. Within this cultural context, Leah's continuous fertility, even when seemingly less favored by Jacob, underscored God's compassion and sovereign action. Her children were not merely Jacob's progeny, but future tribes of Israel, central to God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for a numerous offspring who would inherit the land. The births establish the numerical foundation for the nation of Israel.

Genesis 30 19 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunctive prefix. It ties this verse closely to the previous narrative, showing continuity in the series of conceptions and births within Jacob's family, especially Leah's.
• Leah (לֵאָה - Le'ah): Jacob's first, less-loved wife, whose name likely means "weary" or "wild cow." Her personal struggle for Jacob's love and recognition is a central theme in this narrative, making her continuous fruitfulness a significant demonstration of God's favor and compassion toward the afflicted.
• conceived (וַתַּהַר - va-tahar): From the root הרה (harah), meaning "to conceive," "to become pregnant." This verb, particularly when linked to a woman, often implies divine enablement, especially in biblical narratives where barrenness is a struggle. It points to a miraculous or blessed state of becoming pregnant.
• again (עוֹד - od): This adverb signifies repetition, indicating that this is another instance of conception after previous ones. It highlights Leah's ongoing and exceptional fertility in comparison to Rachel's initial barrenness. It also emphasizes God's consistent action on Leah's behalf.
• and bore (וַתֵּלֶד - va-teled): From the root ילד (yalad), "to bear," "to give birth." This verb completes the cycle of conception and birth, directly attributing the physical act of delivery to Leah. Together, "conceived and bore" describes the complete process of childbearing.
• a sixth (שִׁשִּׁי - shishi): The ordinal number "sixth." This precisely marks the child's position in Leah's line of direct biological sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and now this son, Zebulun). It contributes to the unfolding narrative of Jacob's twelve sons, who form the twelve tribes of Israel. This particular numbering emphasizes Leah's significant contribution to the burgeoning nation.
• son (בֵּן - ben): A male child. The emphasis on "son" is crucial in a patriarchal society for inheritance, tribal lineage, and fulfilling God's promise of a great nation descending from Jacob.
• to Jacob (לְיַעֲקֹב - le-ya'aqov): Refers to Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, patriarch of the Israelite nation. This phrase explicitly states the paternity, ensuring the lineage and covenantal promises pass through Jacob. It firmly roots this child within the family destined to become the people of Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Leah conceived again": This phrase reiterates God's compassion for Leah (Gen 29:31, Gen 30:17). Despite the lack of favor from Jacob and the competition with Rachel, God continues to bless Leah with fertility, signaling divine purpose unfolding beyond human preferences. It also suggests that even after using the maidservants for childbearing, God returns the focus to the direct lines of Leah and Rachel.
• "and bore a sixth son": This marks the continuous expansion of Jacob's direct biological offspring through Leah. The ordinal "sixth" underscores the systematic formation of the foundational tribes of Israel. Each son added strength and breadth to the burgeoning family, aligning with the Abrahamic covenant's promise of numerous descendants. The number six, distinct from seven, indicates completeness for Leah in this particular series, bringing her own total to half of the future tribes.
• "to Jacob": This clearly establishes the child's legitimate paternity and identity as part of the patriarchal lineage chosen by God. This confirmation is vital for understanding the eventual formation of the tribes of Israel, as all sons of Jacob become integral to the nation.

Genesis 30 19 Bonus section

The naming of this sixth son, Zebulun (which will be given in Gen 30:20), is key to understanding Leah's personal journey. She names him, saying, "God has given me a good portion; now my husband will treat me with honor (or dwell with me), because I have borne him six sons." This reflects Leah's continued yearning for Jacob's affection and acceptance. The term for "honor" or "portion" (zebed) is linguistically connected to "Zebulun," and "to dwell" (zaval) also connects, highlighting her hope that her prolific childbearing would finally secure her a true dwelling place in Jacob's heart and home. This detail reinforces the ongoing emotional subtext of the narrative and Leah's unwavering faith that God would vindicate her position. The numerical specificity of "six sons" also implicitly signals a sense of accomplishment and a turning point in her pursuit of respect, even though her deeper longing for Jacob's love might remain unfulfilled in its fullness.

Genesis 30 19 Commentary

Genesis 30:19, though concise, encapsulates profound theological and narrative significance within the broader story of Jacob's family. It primarily showcases God's enduring faithfulness and compassionate intervention. Despite Jacob's open preference for Rachel, Leah's wombd continued to be supernaturally opened by God (Gen 29:31; 30:17), affirming His attention to the suffering and disregarded. This verse is not merely a record of another birth; it is a testament to God's sovereign control over life and fruitfulness. Leah's six sons directly contribute half of the future tribes of Israel, highlighting that God's plan for His covenant people unfolds through diverse, often complex, and humanly imperfect channels. Her consistent fertility points to a divine purpose independent of Jacob's affection, demonstrating that God builds His nation not solely through human choice or desire, but through His own powerful orchestration. The birth of Zebulun ("honor" or "dwelling") fulfills Leah's longings for both dignity and companionship (Gen 30:20), even if briefly. It reinforces the biblical pattern of God working in mysterious ways, fulfilling His promises and bringing forth life where human situations are full of strife and barrenness.