CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 30:14. Mandrakes.] “The mandrake is universally distributed in all parts of Palestine, and its fruit is much valued by the natives, who still hold to the belief, as old as the time of Rachel, that when eaten it ensures conception. Wheat harvest is the period of its ripening.” [Tristram’s Natural History of the Bible]. The words occur only here and in Song of Solomon 7:13.
Genesis 30:17. God hearkened unto Leah.] These words presuppose a prayer on her part, or perhaps they are used merely in the more general sense of ch. Genesis 16:11, “The Lord hath heard thy affliction.” (Alford.)—
Genesis 30:18. Issachar.] Heb. “It is a reward.”—
Genesis 30:20. Zebulon.] Heb. “Dwelling.” This vow should be the cause or occasion of the dwelling together of his parents.—
Genesis 30:21. Dinah.] “Dinah, meaning judgment, from the same root as Dan.” This is the only daughter of Jacob mentioned, and that on account of her connection with the history of Jacob. (Ch. 34.) (Jacobus.) Jacob had more daughters: compare ch. Genesis 37:35, with Genesis 46:7.—
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 30:14-21
TWO TYPES OF RELIGIOUS CHARACTER
I. The type represented by Rachel. This character consists mainly of two elements.
1. Distrust. Rachel had no strong faith in God. There was no disposition to abide by His will, or to wait patiently for its unfolding.
2. The tendency to rely upon carnal devices. Rachel was fruitful in expedients instead of depending upon the favours of Providence. This character is the opposite of that which belongs to the meek. It is the character of the wilful who strive to accomplish their own ends by any means, regardless of what God’s will may decide. The meek humbly submit themselves under the Lord’s hand.
II. The type represented by Leah. This also consists mainly of two elements.
1. Prayerful trust in God. Leah is content to forego the carnal means which would take the matter out of God’s hand. She will pray and trust in Him. “God hearkened unto Leah” (Genesis 30:17), for she prayed, and has again the advantage over Rachel with all her expedients.
2. The spirit of gratitude. Leah ascribes her blessings to God. “God hath given me my hire.” (Genesis 30:18.) “God hath endued me with a good dowry. (Genesis 30:20).
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 30:14-17. Mandrakes, the fruit of the mandragora vernalis, which is to this day supposed to promote fruitfulness of the womb. Rachel therefore desires to partake of them, and obtains them by a compact with Leah.—(Murphy.)
Genesis 30:18. God hath given me my hire. Wherein she was much mistaken, as having not her “senses exercised to discern good and evil.” Here she rejoiceth in that for which she should have repented; and was in the common error of measuring things by the success, as if God were not many times angry with men, though they outwardly prosper. Thus Dionysius, after the spoils of an idol-temple, finding the winds favourable—“Lo,” said he, “how the gods approve of sacrilege!”—(Trapp.)
Genesis 30:19-21. Leah’s election is founded upon Jehovah’s grace. Without any doubt, however, she was fitted to become the ancestress of the Messianic line, not only by her apparent humility, but also by her innate powers of blessing, as well as by her quiet and true love for Jacob. The fulness of her life becomes apparent in the number and the power of her children; and with these, therefore, a greater strength of the mere natural life predominates. Joseph, on the contrary, the favourite son of the wife loved with a bridal love, is distinguished from his brethren as the separated (Ch. 49,) among them, as a child of a nobler spirit, whilst the import of his life is not as rich for the future as that of Judah.—(Lange.)