Genesis 30:1
New International Version
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”

New Living Translation
When Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She pleaded with Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”

English Standard Version
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!”

Berean Standard Bible
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.

King James Bible
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

New King James Version
Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!”

New American Standard Bible
Now when Rachel saw that she had not borne Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I am going to die.”

NASB 1995
Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.”

NASB 1977
Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, so she became jealous of her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die.”

Amplified Bible
When Rachel saw that she conceived no children for Jacob, she envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.”

Christian Standard Bible
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. “Give me sons, or I will die! ” she said to Jacob.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. “Give me sons, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.

American Standard Version
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and she said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

Contemporary English Version
Rachel was very jealous of Leah for having children, and she said to Jacob, "I'll die if you don't give me some children!"

English Revised Version
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and she said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Rachel saw that she could not have children for Jacob, and she became jealous of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I'll die!"

Good News Translation
But Rachel had not borne Jacob any children, and so she became jealous of her sister and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die."

International Standard Version
Rachel noticed that she was not bearing children for Jacob, so because she envied her sister Leah, she told Jacob, "If you don't give me sons, I'm going to die!"

Majority Standard Bible
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.

NET Bible
When Rachel saw that she could not give Jacob children, she became jealous of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children or I'll die!"

New Heart English Bible
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I will die."

Webster's Bible Translation
And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

World English Bible
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Rachel sees that she has not borne to Jacob, and Rachel is envious of her sister, and says to Jacob, “Give me sons, and if there is none—I die.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Rachel seeth that she hath not borne to Jacob, and Rachel is envious of her sister, and saith unto Jacob, 'Give me sons, and if there is none -- I die.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Rachel will see that she shall not bring forth to Jacob, and Rachel will envy her sister, and will say to Jacob, Give me sons, and if not, I die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Rachel, seeing herself without children, envied her sister, and said to her husband: Give me children, otherwise I shall die.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Rachel, discerning that she was infertile, envied her sister, and so she said to her husband, “Give me children, otherwise I will die.”

New American Bible
When Rachel saw that she had not borne children to Jacob, she became envious of her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children or I shall die!”

New Revised Standard Version
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister; and she said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND when Rachel saw that she was not bearing children to Jacob, she envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Rakhyl saw that she was not child bearing to Yaquuv, and she envied her sister and she said to Yaquuv, “Give me children, otherwise I am dead!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and she said unto Jacob: 'Give me children, or else I die.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Rachel having perceived that she bore Jacob no children, was jealous of her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children; and if not, I shall die.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Dan and Naphtali
1When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. 2Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 1:5-6
But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.

Genesis 16:1-2
Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

Genesis 25:21
Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

Genesis 21:1-2
Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

Genesis 11:30
But Sarai was barren; she had no children.

Genesis 20:18
for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.

Genesis 15:2-3
But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” / Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Genesis 18:10-14
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ...

Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”

Luke 1:7
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

Luke 1:36-37
Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke 1:25
“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Romans 9:10-12
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

Romans 4:19-21
Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.


Treasury of Scripture

And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

when Rachel.

Genesis 29:31
And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

Rachel envied.

Genesis 37:11
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

1 Samuel 1:4-8
And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: …

Psalm 106:16
They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.

or else I die.

Genesis 35:16-19
And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour…

Genesis 37:11
And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

Numbers 11:15,29
And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness…

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Genesis 30
1. Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.
5. Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.
9. Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.
14. Reuben finds mandrakes,
15. with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.
17. Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.
22. Rachel bears Joseph.
25. Jacob desires to depart.
27. Laban detains him on a new agreement.
37. Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.














When Rachel saw
The Hebrew word for "saw" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which implies more than just physical sight; it encompasses perception and understanding. Rachel's observation is not merely about noticing her barrenness but comprehending its implications in her cultural and familial context. In the ancient Near Eastern society, a woman's worth was often tied to her ability to bear children, particularly sons. Rachel's perception of her situation would have been deeply distressing, as it affected her status and identity.

that she was not bearing
The phrase "not bearing" comes from the Hebrew "לֹא יָלְדָה" (lo yaladah), indicating a state of unfruitfulness. In the biblical narrative, barrenness is often a significant theme, symbolizing not just a personal struggle but also a spiritual or communal challenge. Rachel's inability to bear children would have been seen as a divine withholding, prompting questions about her favor with God and her role in the Abrahamic promise.

Jacob any children
The mention of "Jacob" here is crucial, as it ties Rachel's personal struggle to the broader covenantal promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Children were not just a personal blessing but a continuation of God's promise to make Jacob's descendants as numerous as the stars. Rachel's barrenness, therefore, is not just a personal issue but a potential hindrance to the fulfillment of God's promises.

she envied her sister
The Hebrew word for "envied" is "וַתְּקַנֵּא" (vateqanne), which conveys a deep, consuming jealousy. Envy is a powerful emotion that can lead to destructive behavior, as seen throughout Scripture. Rachel's envy of Leah highlights the intense rivalry and dysfunction within Jacob's family, a recurring theme in Genesis. This envy is not just personal but also spiritual, as Rachel desires the blessing and favor she perceives Leah to have.

'Give me children, or I will die!'
Rachel's dramatic plea, "Give me children, or I will die," underscores the desperation and despair she feels. In the Hebrew culture, childlessness was often equated with a lack of purpose or fulfillment. Rachel's statement reflects the societal pressure and personal anguish she experiences. Her words echo the intensity of Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 1, where childlessness is also a source of deep sorrow. Rachel's plea is a cry for identity, purpose, and participation in God's covenantal promises.

she said to Jacob
The act of speaking to Jacob indicates Rachel's belief that he holds the power to change her situation. In the patriarchal society of the time, husbands were often seen as intermediaries between their wives and God. Rachel's approach to Jacob reflects her desperation and perhaps a misunderstanding of the divine role in granting children. This interaction sets the stage for the subsequent narrative developments, where human attempts to fulfill divine promises often lead to further complications.

XXX.

(1) Give me children, or else I die.--There is an Oriental proverb that a childless person is as good as dead; and this was probably Rachel's meaning, and not that she should die of vexation. Great as was the affliction to a Hebrew woman of being barren (1Samuel 1:10), yet there is a painful petulance and peevishness about Rachel's words, in strong contrast with Hannah's patient suffering. But she was very young, and a spoiled wife; though with qualities which riveted Jacob's love to her all life through.

Verse 1. - And when Rachel saw (apparently after, though probably before, the birth of Leah's fourth son) that she bare Jacob no children (literally, that she bare not to Jacob), Rachel envied her sister (was jealous of her, the root referring to the redness with which the face of an angry woman is suffused); and said unto Jacob, Give me children (sons), or else I die - literally, and if not, I am a dead woman; i.e. for shame at her sterility. Rachel had three strong reasons for desiring children - that she might emulate her sister, become more dear to her husband, and above all share the hope of being a progenitrix of the promised Seed. If not warranted to infer that Rachel s barrenness was due to lack of prayer on her part and Jacob s (Keil), we are at least justified in asserting that her conduct in breaking forth into angry reproaches against her husband was unlike that of Jacob's mother, Rebekah, who, in similar circumstances, sought relief in prayer and oracles (Kalisch). The brief period that had elapsed since Rachel's marriage, in comparison with the twenty years of Rebekah's barrenness, signally discovered Rachel's sinful impatience.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When Rachel
רָחֵ֗ל (rā·ḥêl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob

saw
וַתֵּ֣רֶא (wat·tê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she was not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

bearing
יָֽלְדָה֙ (yā·lə·ḏāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

any children
רָחֵ֖ל (rā·ḥêl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob

for Jacob,
לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב (lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

she envied
וַתְּקַנֵּ֥א (wat·tə·qan·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7065: To be, zealous, jealous, envious

her sister.
בַּאֲחֹתָ֑הּ (ba·’ă·ḥō·ṯāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

“Give
הָֽבָה־ (hā·ḇāh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3051: To give, to put, imperatively, come

me
לִּ֣י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

children,
בָנִ֔ים (ḇā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

or
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I
אָנֹֽכִי׃ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

will die!”
מֵתָ֥ה (mê·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

she said
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶֽל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Jacob.
יַעֲקֹב֙ (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc


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OT Law: Genesis 30:1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 29:35
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