Genesis 30:20 "God has given me a good gift," she said. "This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons." And she named him Zebulun.

◄ Genesis 30:20 ►

New International Version
Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

New Living Translation
She named him Zebulun, for she said, “God has given me a good reward. Now my husband will treat me with respect, for I have given him six sons.”

English Standard Version
Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.

Berean Standard Bible
“God has given me a good gift,” she said. “This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” And she named him Zebulun.

King James Bible
And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

New King James Version
And Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.

New American Standard Bible
Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good gift; finally my husband will acknowledge me as his wife, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

NASB 1995
Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good gift; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

NASB 1977
Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good gift; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Leah said, “God has gifted me a good gift; this time my husband will honor me because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

Amplified Bible
Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good [marriage] gift [for my husband]; now he will live with me [regarding me with honor as his wife], because I have given birth to six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.

Christian Standard Bible
“God has given me a good gift,” Leah said. “This time my husband will honor me because I have borne six sons for him,” and she named him Zebulun.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God has given me a good gift,” Leah said. “This time my husband will honor me because I have borne six sons for him,” and she named him Zebulun.

American Standard Version
And Leah said, God hath endowed me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

Contemporary English Version
she exclaimed, "God has given me a wonderful gift, and my husband will praise me for giving him six sons." So she named the boy Zebulun.

English Revised Version
And Leah said, God hath endowed me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Leah said, "God has presented me with a beautiful present. This time my husband will honor me because I have given him six sons." So she named him Zebulun [Honor].

Good News Translation
She said, "God has given me a fine gift. Now my husband will accept me, because I have borne him six sons"; so she named him Zebulun.

International Standard Version
Then Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. This time my husband will exalt me, because I've borne him six sons." So she named him Zebulun.

Majority Standard Bible
?God has given me a good gift,? she said. ?This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.? And she named him Zebulun.

NET Bible
Then Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will honor me because I have given him six sons." So she named him Zebulun.

New Heart English Bible
Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons." So she named him Zebulun.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Leah said, God hath endowed me with a good dower; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

World English Bible
Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons.” She named him Zebulun.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and Leah says, “God has endowed me—a good dowry; this time my husband dwells with me, for I have borne six sons to him”; and she calls his name Zebulun;

Young's Literal Translation
and Leah saith, 'God hath endowed me -- a good dowry; this time doth my husband dwell with me, for I have borne to him six sons;' and she calleth his name Zebulun;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Leah will say, God gave me a good gift; this time will my husband dwell with me, for I have borne to him six sons. And she will call his name Zebulon.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And said: God hath endowed me with a good dowry: this turn also my husband will be with me, because I have borne him six sons: and therefore she called his name Zabulon.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And she said: “God has endowed me with a good dowry. And now, at this turn, my husband will be with me, because I have conceived six sons for him.” And therefore she called his name Zebulun.

New American Bible
and Leah said, “God has brought me a precious gift. This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons”; so she named him Zebulun.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good dowry; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons”; so she named him Zebulun.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Leah said, God has enriched me exceedingly; now my husband will surely have more affection for me, because I have borne him six sons; so she called his name Zebulun.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Leah said “God has endowed me a good dowry; this time my husband will cleave to me, because I have given birth to six sons by him”, and she called his name Zabalaun.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Leah said: 'God hath endowed me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.' And she called his name Zebulun.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Lea said, God has given me a good gift in this time; my husband will choose me, for I have born him six sons: and she called his name, Zabulon.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah
…19Again Leah conceived and bore a sixth son to Jacob. 20“God has given me a good gift,” she said. “This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” And she named him Zebulun. 21After that, Leah gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 29:32
And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”

Genesis 35:23
The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

Genesis 49:13
Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.

Deuteronomy 33:18
Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents.

Joshua 19:10-16
The third lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Zebulun: The border of their inheritance stretched as far as Sarid. / It went up westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and met the brook east of Jokneam. / From Sarid it turned eastward along the border of Chisloth-tabor and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia. ...

Judges 5:18
Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.

1 Chronicles 12:33
From Zebulun: 50,000 fit for service, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, who with one purpose were devoted to David.

1 Chronicles 12:40
And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.

Isaiah 9:1
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:

Matthew 4:13-15
Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

John 1:45
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John 21:2
Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

Revelation 7:5
From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

Genesis 49:19
Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.

Deuteronomy 33:20
Concerning Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head.

Treasury of Scripture

And Leah said, God has endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

Genesis 30:15
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.

Genesis 29:34
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

and she.

Genesis 35:23
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:

Genesis 46:14
And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel.

Genesis 49:13
Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.

Zebulun.

Matthew 4:13
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

Zabulon.

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Born Borne Bride-Price Dower Dowry Dwell Endowed Endued Gift Good Honor Husband Leah Precious Presented Six Time Treat Zebulun Zeb'ulun

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Born Borne Bride-Price Dower Dowry Dwell Endowed Endued Gift Good Honor Husband Leah Precious Presented Six Time Treat Zebulun Zeb'ulun

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.

Berean Study Bible

Then Leah said
This phrase introduces Leah's response to the birth of her sixth son. Leah, the first wife of Jacob, often felt unloved and overshadowed by her sister Rachel. Her words reflect a deep yearning for recognition and affection from her husband. In the Hebrew context, the act of naming a child was significant, often reflecting the circumstances of the birth or the mother's hopes and prayers. Leah's statement is a testament to her ongoing struggle for Jacob's love and her reliance on God for validation and blessing.

God has endowed me
The Hebrew root for "endowed" is "זָבַד" (zavad), which means to bestow or endow. Leah acknowledges that her ability to bear children is a gift from God. This reflects a common biblical theme where fertility and childbirth are seen as divine blessings. Leah's recognition of God's hand in her life is a reminder of the providence and sovereignty of God, who is the giver of all good gifts. Her statement is an expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's favor.

with a good gift
The phrase "good gift" emphasizes the value Leah places on her children. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, sons were particularly prized as they carried on the family name and inheritance. Leah's reference to her children as a "good gift" underscores the cultural and personal significance of her role as a mother. It also highlights the biblical principle that children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from Him (Psalm 127:3).

Now my husband will honor me
Leah's hope that Jacob will honor her reflects her desire for love and respect within her marriage. The Hebrew word for "honor" is "כָּבֵד" (kaved), which can also mean to be heavy or weighty, implying significance and esteem. Leah's statement reveals her longing for a change in her relationship with Jacob, where she would be valued and cherished. This desire for honor and recognition is a universal human longing, and Leah's words resonate with anyone who has ever sought affirmation and love.

because I have borne him six sons
In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, bearing sons was a source of great pride and status for a woman. Leah's ability to bear six sons for Jacob was a significant achievement and a source of personal validation. This phrase highlights the cultural importance of lineage and inheritance, as well as the personal fulfillment Leah found in her role as a mother. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding their descendants.

So she named him Zebulun
The name "Zebulun" is derived from the Hebrew root "זָבַל" (zaval), which means to dwell or honor. Leah's choice of name reflects her hope that her husband will now dwell with her in honor and affection. Naming her son Zebulun is an act of faith, expressing her desire for a future where she is loved and respected. This act of naming is both a declaration of faith and a prophetic hope for her family's future. It serves as a reminder of the power of names in the biblical narrative, often carrying deep spiritual and prophetic significance.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(20) Zebulun.--Leah is more than usually obscure in the reasons she gives for this name; for she plays upon two words, which probably both belonged to the Mesopotamian pato is: and as this was a Syriac dialect, we must look to that language for their explanation. The first is zebed; and here there is no difficulty. It means such presents as a father gives his daughter on her marriage, over and above those enumerated in the marriage contract. Of the second, zabal, there is no trace. Nor do the Syro-Arabic lexicons acknowledge in the word "Zebulun" such a sense as that of dwelling, given it in our margin. Bar-Ali explains it as meaning "salvation of the night, or a good dowry," and Bar- Bahlul, "a dowry of the night," both deriving it from zebed, a dowry, and lun, to pass the night. The derivation is wrong as far as concerns lun; for the word Zebulun is formed simply from zebed, the final d of which is changed into I for mere reasons of euphony. The Versions take the word zabal as mean ing, "to be with," Vulg.; "to choose," LXX.; "to cleave to," Syriac. It occurs nowhere else, but the substantive zebul is not uncommon, and means dwelling, station.

As a woman's value in the East rises with each son, Leah now hoped for more love from her husband. Nor does she seem to have been disappointed.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“God
אֱלֹהִ֥ים ׀ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has given
זְבָדַ֨נִי (zə·ḇā·ḏa·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2064: Bestow upon, endow with

me a good
טוֹב֒ (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

gift,”
זֵ֣בֶד (zê·ḇeḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2065: Endowment, gift

[she]
לֵאָ֗ה (lê·’āh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3812: Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacob

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

“This time
הַפַּ֙עַם֙ (hap·pa·‘am)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence

my husband
אִישִׁ֔י (’î·šî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

will honor me,
יִזְבְּלֵ֣נִי (yiz·bə·lê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2082: Probably to dwell

because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I have borne
יָלַ֥דְתִּי (yā·laḏ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

him
ל֖וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

six
שִׁשָּׁ֣ה (šiš·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

sons.”
בָנִ֑ים (ḇā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

And she named
וַתִּקְרָ֥א (wat·tiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

him Zebulun.
זְבֻלֽוּן׃ (zə·ḇu·lūn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2074: Zebulun -- a son of Jacob, also his descendants and their territory

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OT Law: Genesis 30:20 Leah said God has endowed me (Gen. Ge Gn)