Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” New Living Translation But Leah angrily replied, “Wasn’t it enough that you stole my husband? Now will you steal my son’s mandrakes, too?” Rachel answered, “I will let Jacob sleep with you tonight if you give me some of the mandrakes.” English Standard Version But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” Berean Standard Bible But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” Berean Literal Bible And she said to her, “Is it a small matter your taking my husband, that you would also take the mandrakes of my son?” And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for the mandrakes of your son.” King James Bible And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes. New King James Version But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.” New American Standard Bible But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he may sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” NASB 1995 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he may lie with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” NASB 1977 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he may lie with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” Legacy Standard Bible But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” Amplified Bible But Leah answered, “Is it a small thing that you have taken my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Jacob shall sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” Berean Annotated Bible But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well? “Very well, said Rachel (little lamb), “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes. Christian Standard Bible But Leah replied to her, “Isn’t it enough that you have taken my husband? Now you also want to take my son’s mandrakes? ” “Well then,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” Holman Christian Standard Bible But Leah replied to her, “Isn’t it enough that you have taken my husband? Now you also want to take my son’s mandrakes?"” Well,” Rachel said, “you can sleep with him tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” American Standard Version And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes. Contemporary English Version but Leah said, "It's bad enough that you stole my husband! Now you want my son's love flowers too." "All right," Rachel answered. "Let me have the flowers, and you can sleep with Jacob tonight." English Revised Version And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes. GOD'S WORD® Translation Leah replied, "Isn't it enough that you took my husband? Are you also going to take my son's mandrakes?" Rachel said, "Very well, Jacob can go to bed with you tonight in return for your son's mandrakes." Good News Translation Leah answered, "Isn't it enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you are even trying to take away my son's mandrakes." Rachel said, "If you will give me your son's mandrakes, you can sleep with Jacob tonight." International Standard Version In response, Leah asked her, "Wasn't it enough that you've taken away my husband? Now you also want to take my son's mandrakes!" But Rachel replied, "Okay, let's let Jacob sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes." NET Bible But Leah replied, "Wasn't it enough that you've taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes too?" "All right," Rachel said, "he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes." New Heart English Bible She said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes, also?" Rachel said, "Therefore he may sleep with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes." Webster's Bible Translation And she said to her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” World English Bible Leah said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes, also?” Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd she says to her, “Is your taking my husband a little thing, that you have also taken the love-apples of my son?” And Rachel says, “He therefore lies with you tonight, for your son’s love-apples.” Berean Literal Bible And she said to her, “Is it a small matter your taking my husband, that you would also take the mandrakes of my son?” And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for the mandrakes of your son.” Young's Literal Translation And she saith to her, 'Is thy taking my husband a little thing, that thou hast taken also the love-apples of my son?' and Rachel saith, 'Therefore doth he lie with thee to-night, for thy son's love-apples.' Smith's Literal Translation And she will say to her, Is it little, thy taking my husband'! and thou didst take also my son's apples of mandrakes? And Rachel will say, For this he shall lie with thee this night, for thy son's apples of mandrakes. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleShe answered: Dost thou think it a small matter, that thou hast taken my husband from me, unless thou take also my son's mandrakes? Rachel said: He shall sleep with thee this night, for thy son's mandrakes. Catholic Public Domain Version She responded, “Does it seem like such a small matter to you, that you have usurped from me my husband, unless you will also take my son’s mandrakes?” Rachel said, “He will sleep with you this night because of your son’s mandrakes.” New American Bible Leah replied, “Was it not enough for you to take away my husband, that you must now take my son’s mandrakes too?” Rachel answered, “In that case Jacob may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” New Revised Standard Version But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut Leah said to her, Is it not enough for you that you have taken away my husband? And would you take away my sows mandrakes also? And Rachel said, He may lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Leah said to her, “Is it not enough for you that you have taken my husband, but also that you will take the mandrakes of my son?” And Rakhyl said, “Because of this he will sleep with you this night for the mandrakes of your son.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And she said unto her: 'Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also?' And Rachel said: 'Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Lea said, Is it not enough for thee that thou hast taken my husband, wilt thou also take my son's mandrakes? And Rachel said, Not so: let him lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Gad and Asher…14Now during the wheat harvest, Reuben went out and found some mandrakes in the field. When he brought them to his mother, Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” 16When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.… Cross References But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Genesis 29:30-31 Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. / When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Genesis 29:33 Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon. 1 Samuel 1:6-7 Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. / And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat. Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” Songs 7:13 The mandrakes send forth a fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, new as well as old, that I have treasured up for you, my beloved. Psalm 127:3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” Genesis 38:15-18 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face. / Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “What will you give me for sleeping with you?” she inquired. / “I will send you a young goat from my flock,” Judah answered. But she replied, “Only if you leave me something as a pledge until you send it.” … Genesis 29:21-23 Finally Jacob said to Laban, “Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her.” / So Laban invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast. / But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. / Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control. Genesis 29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Genesis 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 25:21 Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. Genesis 29:18-20 Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” / Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” / So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. Genesis 30:1-2 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” Genesis 30:8 Then Rachel said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali. Genesis 30:14 Now during the wheat harvest, Reuben went out and found some mandrakes in the field. When he brought them to his mother, Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” Treasury of Scripture And she said to her, Is it a small matter that you have taken my husband? and would you take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with you to night for your son's mandrakes. Numbers 16:9,10,13 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? … Isaiah 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Ezekiel 16:47 Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. Jump to Previous Enough Exchange Husband Lie Love-Apples Mandrakes Matter Night Rachel Small Son's Tonight To-Night Wasn't Wilt WouldestJump to Next Enough Exchange Husband Lie Love-Apples Mandrakes Matter Night Rachel Small Son's Tonight To-Night Wasn't Wilt WouldestGenesis 30 1. Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.5. Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali. 9. Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher. 14. Reuben finds mandrakes, 15. with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel. 17. Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. 22. Rachel bears Joseph. 25. Jacob desires to depart. 27. Laban detains him on a new agreement. 37. Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich. But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Leah's statement reflects the ongoing rivalry and tension between her and her sister Rachel. This tension is rooted in the cultural and familial dynamics of polygamy, where Leah, though the first wife, feels overshadowed by Rachel, whom Jacob loves more. The phrase highlights Leah's sense of injustice and her perception of Rachel's favored status. This sibling rivalry echoes earlier biblical narratives, such as Cain and Abel, and foreshadows future conflicts, like that of Joseph and his brothers. Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” Persons / Places / Events 1. LeahThe first wife of Jacob, who feels unloved and competes with her sister Rachel for Jacob's affection. 2. Rachel The beloved second wife of Jacob, who is barren and desires children, leading to her bargaining with Leah. 3. Jacob The patriarch who is caught between the rivalry of his two wives, Leah and Rachel. 4. Mandrakes A plant believed to have fertility-enhancing properties, central to the negotiation between Leah and Rachel. 5. The Field The setting where the exchange between Leah and Rachel takes place, symbolizing the ongoing struggle for favor and blessing. Teaching Points The Dangers of Envy and RivalryEnvy can lead to destructive behavior and strained relationships, as seen in Leah and Rachel's competition for Jacob's love. The Importance of Contentment Leah's and Rachel's account teaches us the value of finding contentment in God's provision rather than in human approval or material gain. God's Sovereignty in Family Dynamics Despite human manipulation and rivalry, God's plan unfolds through the family of Jacob, reminding us of His sovereignty over our lives. The Role of Prayer and Patience Like Rachel, who eventually bore children, we are encouraged to bring our desires to God in prayer and wait patiently for His timing. The Power of Reconciliation The account invites us to seek reconciliation and peace in our relationships, rather than allowing jealousy to drive a wedge between us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 30:15?2. How does Genesis 30:15 illustrate the complexities of family relationships in Scripture? 3. What does Leah's request reveal about her priorities and desires in Genesis 30:15? 4. How can we apply Leah's negotiation tactics to resolve conflicts in our lives? 5. In what ways does Genesis 30:15 connect to themes of jealousy and rivalry? 6. How does Genesis 30:15 challenge us to trust God's provision over human schemes? 7. Why does Leah trade her son's mandrakes for a night with Jacob in Genesis 30:15? 8. What significance do mandrakes hold in the context of Genesis 30:15? 9. How does Genesis 30:15 reflect the dynamics of Leah and Rachel's relationship? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 30? 11. How do these events in Genesis 30 align or conflict with other biblical texts that describe God's involvement in fertility and inheritance? 12. Who was Dinah in the Bible? 13. What are the mandrakes mentioned in Genesis 30:14? 14. In Genesis 30:14-16, how credible is the account of mandrakes supposedly improving fertility from a scientific standpoint? What Does Genesis 30:15 Mean Leah’s lament: “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband?”• Leah speaks from real hurt. Jacob “loved Rachel more than Leah” (Genesis 29:30), and though Leah had borne four sons, she still felt sidelined. • Her words expose the pain of living in a divided household—an inevitable consequence of polygamy, which Scripture records factually yet never endorses (compare the jealousy in 1 Samuel 1:6–7). • Leah’s cry reminds us that stealing affection wounds deeply; Ephesians 5:25–33 models the opposite—exclusive, sacrificial love within marriage. Mandrakes and motherly desperation: “Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” • Mandrakes were viewed as enhancing fertility (Song of Songs 7:13). Rachel, still barren (Genesis 30:1), hopes they will help her conceive. • Leah interprets the request as one more loss. Her son Reuben found the mandrakes (Genesis 30:14), so the plants symbolize a tiny win in her ongoing struggle for Jacob’s attention. • Both sisters display intense longing for children and their husband’s favor—echoing Sarah’s earlier impatience in Genesis 16:2–3. Rachel’s bargain: “Very well… he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” • Rachel trades a night with Jacob for the chance at motherhood. The transaction shows how far jealousy and unmet desires can push people. • Rachel’s deal echoes Esau’s careless exchange in Genesis 25:33—in both cases, a physical craving drives a costly trade. • The scene underscores human attempts to secure blessing by human means rather than waiting on the LORD (Psalm 37:7). The significance of the exchange • Ironically, the mandrakes do nothing for Rachel immediately, but Leah conceives again that very night and bears Issachar (Genesis 30:17–18). God—not folklore—controls the womb (Psalm 127:3). • Leah’s fifth son reinforces that the LORD “listens” (Genesis 29:33; 30:17), affirming divine responsiveness even amid messy choices. • Rachel eventually conceives only when “God remembered Rachel and listened to her” (Genesis 30:22), showing His sovereign timing. God’s providence despite human scheming • The sisters’ rivalry could have derailed the covenant family, yet God weaves their actions into His redemptive plan, producing the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 35:22–26). • Romans 8:28 shines here: God works “all things” for good—even flawed bargains and family tension. • Their story cautions us against manipulating outcomes while assuring us that God’s purposes stand firm (Proverbs 19:21). summary Genesis 30:15 captures a moment of raw competition between Leah and Rachel. Leah protests the loss of Jacob’s affection; Rachel seeks fertility through mandrakes. Their bargain reveals the frailty of human schemes, yet the LORD overrules, granting children according to His perfect will. The verse reminds us that while jealousy and manipulation fracture relationships, God’s faithful providence remains unshaken, bringing blessing to His people in His time. Verse 15 - And she (Leah) said unto her, - stomachose (Calvin) - Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? - literally, Is it little thy taking away my husband? meaning that Rachel had been the cause of Jacob s forsaking her (Leah's) society - and wouldest thou take away (literally, and to take also = wouldst thou take? expressive of strong surprise) my son's mandrakes also? Calvin thinks it unlikely that Jacob s wives were naturally quarrelsome; sod Deus confligere eas inter se passus est ut polygamiae puma ad posteras extaret. And Rachel said (in order to induce Leah's compliance with her request), Therefore he shall be with thee tonight for thy son's mandrakes.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Leah replied,וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Is it not enough הַמְעַט֙ (ham·‘aṭ) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few that you have taken away קַחְתֵּ֣ךְ (qaḥ·têḵ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 3947: To take my husband? אִישִׁ֔י (’î·šî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 582: Man, mankind Now you גַּ֥ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and want to take וְלָקַ֕חַת (wə·lā·qa·ḥaṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3947: To take my son’s בְּנִ֑י (bə·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1121: A son mandrakes [as well]?” דּוּדָאֵ֖י (dū·ḏā·’ê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1736: A boiler, basket, the mandrake “Very well,” לָכֵן֙ (lā·ḵên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus said וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say Rachel, רָחֵ֗ל (rā·ḥêl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob “he may sleep יִשְׁכַּ֤ב (yiš·kaḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7901: To lie down with you עִמָּךְ֙ (‘im·māḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with tonight הַלַּ֔יְלָה (hal·lay·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity in exchange for תַּ֖חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of your son’s בְנֵֽךְ׃ (ḇə·nêḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 1121: A son mandrakes.” דּוּדָאֵ֥י (dū·ḏā·’ê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1736: A boiler, basket, the mandrake Links Genesis 30:15 NIVGenesis 30:15 NLT Genesis 30:15 ESV Genesis 30:15 NASB Genesis 30:15 KJV Genesis 30:15 BibleApps.com Genesis 30:15 Biblia Paralela Genesis 30:15 Chinese Bible Genesis 30:15 French Bible Genesis 30:15 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 30:15 She said to her Is it (Gen. Ge Gn) |
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