Genesis 30:15
New International Version
But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?” “Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.”

New Living Translation
But Leah angrily replied, “Wasn’t it enough that you stole my husband? Now will you steal my son’s mandrakes, too?” Rachel answered, “I will let Jacob sleep with you tonight if you give me some of the mandrakes.”

English Standard Version
But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”

Berean Standard Bible
But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”

King James Bible
And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.

New King James Version
But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”

New American Standard Bible
But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he may sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.”

NASB 1995
But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he may lie with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.”

NASB 1977
But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he may lie with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.”

Amplified Bible
But Leah answered, “Is it a small thing that you have taken my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Jacob shall sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”

Christian Standard Bible
But Leah replied to her, “Isn’t it enough that you have taken my husband? Now you also want to take my son’s mandrakes? ” “Well then,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Leah replied to her, “Isn’t it enough that you have taken my husband? Now you also want to take my son’s mandrakes?"” Well,” Rachel said, “you can sleep with him tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”

American Standard Version
And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes.

Contemporary English Version
but Leah said, "It's bad enough that you stole my husband! Now you want my son's love flowers too." "All right," Rachel answered. "Let me have the flowers, and you can sleep with Jacob tonight."

English Revised Version
And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Leah replied, "Isn't it enough that you took my husband? Are you also going to take my son's mandrakes?" Rachel said, "Very well, Jacob can go to bed with you tonight in return for your son's mandrakes."

Good News Translation
Leah answered, "Isn't it enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you are even trying to take away my son's mandrakes." Rachel said, "If you will give me your son's mandrakes, you can sleep with Jacob tonight."

International Standard Version
In response, Leah asked her, "Wasn't it enough that you've taken away my husband? Now you also want to take my son's mandrakes!" But Rachel replied, "Okay, let's let Jacob sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes."

Majority Standard Bible
But Leah replied, ?Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son?s mandrakes as well?? ?Very well,? said Rachel, ?he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son?s mandrakes.?

NET Bible
But Leah replied, "Wasn't it enough that you've taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes too?" "All right," Rachel said, "he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes."

New Heart English Bible
She said to her, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son?s mandrakes, also?" Rachel said, "Therefore he may sleep with you tonight for your son?s mandrakes."

Webster's Bible Translation
And she said to her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes.

World English Bible
Leah said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes, also?” Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And she says to her, “Is your taking my husband a little thing, that you have also taken the love-apples of my son?” And Rachel says, “He therefore lies with you tonight, for your son’s love-apples.”

Young's Literal Translation
And she saith to her, 'Is thy taking my husband a little thing, that thou hast taken also the love-apples of my son?' and Rachel saith, 'Therefore doth he lie with thee to-night, for thy son's love-apples.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And she will say to her, Is it little, thy taking my husband'! and thou didst take also my son's apples of mandrakes? And Rachel will say, For this he shall lie with thee this night, for thy son's apples of mandrakes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
She answered: Dost thou think it a small matter, that thou hast taken my husband from me, unless thou take also my son's mandrakes? Rachel said: He shall sleep with thee this night, for thy son's mandrakes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
She responded, “Does it seem like such a small matter to you, that you have usurped from me my husband, unless you will also take my son’s mandrakes?” Rachel said, “He will sleep with you this night because of your son’s mandrakes.”

New American Bible
Leah replied, “Was it not enough for you to take away my husband, that you must now take my son’s mandrakes too?” Rachel answered, “In that case Jacob may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”

New Revised Standard Version
But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” Rachel said, “Then he may lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Leah said to her, Is it not enough for you that you have taken away my husband? And would you take away my sows mandrakes also? And Rachel said, He may lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Leah said to her, “Is it not enough for you that you have taken my husband, but also that you will take the mandrakes of my son?” And Rakhyl said, “Because of this he will sleep with you this night for the mandrakes of your son.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And she said unto her: 'Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also?' And Rachel said: 'Therefore he shall lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Lea said, Is it not enough for thee that thou hast taken my husband, wilt thou also take my son's mandrakes? And Rachel said, Not so: let him lie with thee to-night for thy son's mandrakes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gad and Asher
14Now during the wheat harvest, Reuben went out and found some mandrakes in the field. When he brought them to his mother, Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” 16When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.…

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

Genesis 16:2
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 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 29:18-20
Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” / Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” / So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

Genesis 29:30
Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.

Genesis 30:1-2
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. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”

Genesis 30:8
Then Rachel said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali.

Genesis 30:14
Now during the wheat harvest, Reuben went out and found some mandrakes in the field. When he brought them to his mother, Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”

Genesis 35:22
While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:

Exodus 21:10
If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife.

Leviticus 18:18
You must not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is still alive.

Deuteronomy 21:15-17
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

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.

1 Samuel 1:19-20
The next morning they got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then they returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. / So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

Ruth 4:13
So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.


Treasury of Scripture

And she said to her, Is it a small matter that you have taken my husband? and would you take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with you to night for your son's mandrakes.

Numbers 16:9,10,13
Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? …

Isaiah 7:13
And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

Ezekiel 16:47
Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.

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Enough Exchange Husband Lie Love-Apples Mandrakes Matter Night Rachel Small Son's Tonight To-Night Wasn't Wilt Wouldest
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Enough Exchange Husband Lie Love-Apples Mandrakes Matter Night Rachel Small Son's Tonight To-Night Wasn't Wilt Wouldest
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.














But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband?
Leah's statement reflects the ongoing rivalry and tension between her and her sister Rachel. This tension is rooted in the cultural and familial dynamics of polygamy, where Leah, though the first wife, feels overshadowed by Rachel, whom Jacob loves more. The phrase highlights Leah's sense of injustice and her perception of Rachel's favored status. This sibling rivalry echoes earlier biblical narratives, such as Cain and Abel, and foreshadows future conflicts, like that of Joseph and his brothers.

Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?”
Mandrakes were believed to have fertility-enhancing properties in the ancient Near East. Leah's mention of mandrakes underscores the importance of childbearing in her society, where a woman's worth was often measured by her ability to produce offspring. The mandrakes symbolize hope for fertility, and Leah's protective stance over them indicates her desire to maintain her status and secure her position within the family. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over fertility and life, as seen in the stories of Sarah, Rebekah, and Hannah.

“Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.”
Rachel's willingness to trade a night with Jacob for mandrakes reveals her desperation for children, highlighting the cultural pressure to bear sons. This transaction between the sisters illustrates the complex dynamics of their relationship and the lengths to which they will go to achieve their desires. The exchange also points to the human tendency to rely on superstitions or personal schemes rather than trusting in God's timing and provision. This theme is echoed in other biblical narratives where human attempts to control outcomes lead to unintended consequences, such as Sarah's plan with Hagar.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Leah
The first wife of Jacob, who feels unloved and competes with her sister Rachel for Jacob's affection.

2. Rachel
The beloved second wife of Jacob, who is barren and desires children, leading to her bargaining with Leah.

3. Jacob
The patriarch who is caught between the rivalry of his two wives, Leah and Rachel.

4. Mandrakes
A plant believed to have fertility-enhancing properties, central to the negotiation between Leah and Rachel.

5. The Field
The setting where the exchange between Leah and Rachel takes place, symbolizing the ongoing struggle for favor and blessing.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of Envy and Rivalry
Envy can lead to destructive behavior and strained relationships, as seen in Leah and Rachel's competition for Jacob's love.

The Importance of Contentment
Leah's and Rachel's account teaches us the value of finding contentment in God's provision rather than in human approval or material gain.

God's Sovereignty in Family Dynamics
Despite human manipulation and rivalry, God's plan unfolds through the family of Jacob, reminding us of His sovereignty over our lives.

The Role of Prayer and Patience
Like Rachel, who eventually bore children, we are encouraged to bring our desires to God in prayer and wait patiently for His timing.

The Power of Reconciliation
The account invites us to seek reconciliation and peace in our relationships, rather than allowing jealousy to drive a wedge between us.Verse 15 - And she (Leah) said unto her, - stomachose (Calvin) - Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? - literally, Is it little thy taking away my husband? meaning that Rachel had been the cause of Jacob s forsaking her (Leah's) society - and wouldest thou take away (literally, and to take also = wouldst thou take? expressive of strong surprise) my son's mandrakes also? Calvin thinks it unlikely that Jacob s wives were naturally quarrelsome; sod Deus confligere eas inter se passus est ut polygamiae puma ad posteras extaret. And Rachel said (in order to induce Leah's compliance with her request), Therefore he shall be with thee tonight for thy son's mandrakes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Leah replied,
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Is it not enough
הַמְעַט֙ (ham·‘aṭ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

that you have taken away
קַחְתֵּ֣ךְ (qaḥ·têḵ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

my husband?
אִישִׁ֔י (’î·šî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

Now you
גַּ֥ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

want to take
וְלָקַ֕חַת (wə·lā·qa·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3947: To take

my son’s
בְּנִ֑י (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

mandrakes [as well]?”
דּוּדָאֵ֖י (dū·ḏā·’ê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1736: A boiler, basket, the mandrake

“Very well,”
לָכֵן֙ (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

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

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

“he may sleep
יִשְׁכַּ֤ב (yiš·kaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7901: To lie down

with you
עִמָּךְ֙ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

tonight
הַלַּ֔יְלָה (hal·lay·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

in exchange for
תַּ֖חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

your son’s
בְנֵֽךְ׃ (ḇə·nêḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

mandrakes.”
דּוּדָאֵ֥י (dū·ḏā·’ê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1736: A boiler, basket, the mandrake


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OT Law: Genesis 30:15 She said to her Is it (Gen. Ge Gn)
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