And afterwards she bare a daughter, &c.— Leah, continuing to bear children, which were the great objects of her desire, appears to have gained more of her husband's company and regard. She ascribes the gift to God, Genesis 30:18; Genesis 30:20. at the same time that she judges her condescension in giving her maid to her husband (according to the ignorance of those times concerning the sin of polygamy) rewarded by God in this manner; on which account she names her fifth son Issachar, or hire, the reward given to her by God. Her sixth son (full of hope that her husband's affection would now be fixed to her, and that he would dwell with her as formerly) she names Zebulun or dwelling. And her daughter she names Dinah, or judgment, as her sister had denominated her son Dan, by Bilhah. It is observable, in Genesis 30:17 that God is said to hearken to Leah, by which and the like expressions in that sacred book, which with the strictest propriety ascribes all events to God, we are taught, that Providence is in a special manner interested in the propagation of mankind: a truth which is confirmed by observation. For (to use the words of a celebrated writer on the subject) how can we, without supposing ourselves under the constant care of a Supreme Being, give any possible account for that nice proportion which we find between the number of males and of females who are brought into the world? What else could adjust, in so exact a manner, the recruits of every nation to its losses, and divide these new supplies of people into such equal bodies of both sexes?
Chance could never hold the balance with so steady a hand. Were we not counted out by an intelligent Supervisor, we should sometimes be overcharged with multitudes, and at other times waste away into a desart.