Genesis 30:5,6 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

‘And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son, and Rachel said, “God has judged (dan) me and has also heard my voice and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.'

The depth of Rachel's feelings comes out in her expression of vindication. She has shown that she is not morally to blame after all. He has not withheld a son through Bilhah. She sees her ‘son' as God's judgment passed on her situation. He has vindicated her. But there is not the intensity of feeling shown by Leah with her first four children, nor by herself when Joseph is born. Then it is Yahweh, the covenant God, Who acts, and her faith is renewed.

Genesis 30:5-6

5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.

6 And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.a