Genesis 30:15

_AND REUBEN WENT IN THE DAYS OF WHEAT HARVEST, AND FOUND MANDRAKES IN THE FIELD, AND BROUGHT THEM UNTO HIS MOTHER LEAH. THEN RACHEL SAID TO LEAH, GIVE ME, I PRAY THEE, OF THY SON'S MANDRAKES._ Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes, [Hebrew, _ DUWDAA'IYM_ (H1736); Septuagint, meela mandragoroon] (cf. Song of Solomon 7:13) (Atropa mandragora, Linnoeus) - a plant resembling the Belladonna, a beet-like root-with fragrant blossoms of a white and reddish hue, which are universally believed by the Orientals to possess the property of aiding conception. The literature on this subject is immense; and the different views entertained regarding the identity of the plant are too many even for enumeration. The following description of it by a traveler of great intelligence, as well as extensive oppor

15._Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? _Moses leaves more for his readers to reflect upon than he expresses in words; namely, that Jacob’s house had been filled with contentions and strifes. For Leah speaks haughtily, because her mind had been long so exasperated that she could not address herself mildly and courteously to her sister: Perhaps the sisters were not thus contentious by nature; but God suffered them to contend with each other, that the punishment of polygamy might be exhibited to posterity. And it is not to be doubted that this domestic private quarrel, yea, hostile dissension, brought great grief and torment to the holy man. But the reason why he found himself thus distracted by opposite parties was, that against all right, he had broken the unity of the conjugal bond....

14-24 The desire, good in itself, but often too great and irregular, of being the mother of the promised Seed, with the honour of having many children, and the reproach of being barren, were causes of this unbecoming contest between the sisters. The truth appears to be, that they were influenced by the promises of God to Abraham; whose posterity were promised the richest blessings, and from whom the Messiah was to descend....

Verse Genesis 30:15. _THOU HAST TAKEN MY HUSBAND_] It appears probable that Rachel had found means to engross the whole of Jacob's affection and company, and that she now agreed to let him visit the tent of Leah, on account of receiving some of the fruits or plants which Reuben had found....

- Jacob’s Family and Wealth 6. דן _dān_, Dan, “judge, lord.” 8. נפתלי _naptālı̂y_, Naphtali, “wrestling.” 11. גד _gād_, Gad, “overcoming, victory.” בגד _bāgād_, “in victory or” =גד בא _bā'_ _gād_, “victory cometh.” גוּד _gûd_, “press down.” גדוּד _g__e__dûd_, “troop.” 13. אשׁר _'ǎashēr_, Asher, “prosperity, happiness.”

EXPOSITION GENESIS 30:14 AND REUBEN (at this time four or five years old) WENT (probably accompanying the reapers) IN THE DAYS OF WHEAT HARVEST, AND FOUND MANDRAKES—דּוּדָאים, μῆλα μαδραγορῶν,_ _(LXX; Josephus), apples of the mandragora, an herb resembling belladonna, with a root like a carrot, having white and reddish blossoms of a sweet smell, and with yellow odoriferous apples, ripening in May and June, and supposed, according to Oriental superstition, to possess the virtue of conciliating love and promoting fruitfulness_—_IN THE FIELD (when at his childish play), AND BROUGHT THEM UNTO HIS MOTHER LEAH (which a son of more mature years would not have done). THEN RACHEL (not exempt from the prevailing

AND SHE SAID UNTO HER,.... Leah to Rachel, taking this opportunity to bring out a thing which had some time lain with uneasiness upon her mind: [IS IT] A SMALL THING THAT THOU HAST TAKEN AWAY MY HUSBAND? got the greatest share of his affections, and had most of his company; which last was very probably the case, and more so, since Leah had left off bearing; and this she could not well stomach, and therefore upon this trifling occasion outs with it: AND WOULDEST THOU TAKE AWAY MY SON'S MANDRAKES ALSO? which were poor things to be mentioned along with an husband; and besides, Rachel did not offer to take them away from the child without her leave, which she in very humble manner asked of her: AND RACHEL SAID, THEREFORE HE SHALL LIE WITH THEE TONIGHT FOR THY SON'S MANDRAKES; which showed no great affection to her husband, and a slight of his company, to be willing to part with it for suc...

CHAPTER 30 JACOB WITH LABAN _ 1. The sons of Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:1)_ 2. The sons of Zilpah: Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9) 3. The children of Leah: Issachar, Zebulon and Dinah (Genesis 30:14) 4. The birth of Joseph (Genesis 30:22) 5. Jacob's request to return (Genesis 30:25) 6. Laban's confession and Jacob's prosperity (Genesis 30:27) Little comment is needed on this. The avarice and dec

GENESIS 29:31 TO GENESIS 30:24. THE BIRTH OF JACOB'S CHILDREN. This section is from JE, with slight touches from P. Roughly Genesis 29:31; Genesis 30:9 is from J, Genesis 30:1; Genesis 30:8 is from E, Genesis 30:14 mainly from JE, the two strands here being hard to unravel. It records the origin of the tribes of Israel. It reflects conditions a good deal earlier than those kno

Genesis 29:31 to Genesis 30:24. Birth of Jacob's Children 31 35 (J); Genesis 30:1-24 (J, E and P) In this section is narrated the account of the birth of eleven sons and one daughter. Six of the sons, viz. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun, and the daughter Dinah, are the children of Leah; Gad and Asher are the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Dan and Naphtali are the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; and Joseph is the son of Rachel. These are all born to Jacob in Haran. The only son born in Canaan is Benjamin (see Genesis 35:16-19). It has been conjectured that this account not only