Genesis 30:1-13 ▼

1 When Rachel (little lamb) saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob (he grasps the heel), she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.

2 Jacob (he grasps the heel) became angry with Rachel (little lamb) and said, “Am I in the place of God {Elohim}, who has withheld children from you?”

3 Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah (troubled). Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me \bear children on my knees/, so that through her I too can build a family.”

4 So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah (troubled) as a wife, and he (he grasps the heel) slept with her,

5 and Bilhah (troubled) conceived and bore him (he grasps the heel) a son.

6 Then Rachel (little lamb) said, “God {Elohim} has vindicated me; He has heard my plea and given me a son.” So she named him Dan (He has judged).

7 And Rachel’s (little lamb) servant Bilhah (troubled) conceived again and bore Jacob (he grasps the heel) a second son.

8 Then Rachel (little lamb) said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali (wrestling).

9 When Leah (weary) saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah (a trickling) to Jacob (he grasps the heel) as a wife.

10 And Leah’s (weary) servant Zilpah (a trickling) bore Jacob (he grasps the heel) a son.

11 Then Leah (weary) said, “How fortunate [A troop is coming]!” So she named him Gad (band of raiders).

12 When Leah’s (weary) servant Zilpah (a trickling) bore Jacob (he grasps the heel) a second son,

13 Leah (weary) said, “How happy I am! For the women call me happy.” So she named him Asher (happy).