Rachel and Jacob were naturally frustrated by her inability to bear children. Like Sarah before her, Rachel chose to have a child through her handmaid, Bilhah. The son born of the handmaid was named Dan, or "he has judged," because Rachel believed God had judged her case and heard her appeal. The second son borne by Bilhah was named Naphtali, or "my wrestling." Apparently, she saw herself as in a contest with Leah in the bearing of children to Jacob and felt she had won through her handmaid giving birth to two sons.

It appears Leah gave Jacob her handmaid, Zilpah, because she did not want to be outdone by her sister. She bore a son Leah named Gad, or "good fortune." Leah named Zilpah's second son Asher, or "happy" because she said other women would call her blessed (Genesis 30:1-13).

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