Topical Bible: Rachel: Sterility of

◄ Rachel: Sterility of ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of her initial sterility. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where her struggle with barrenness and eventual motherhood is detailed.

Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban and the sister of Leah. Jacob, having fallen deeply in love with Rachel, agreed to work for Laban for seven years to marry her. However, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah as a wife first, and Jacob had to work an additional seven years for Rachel (Genesis 29:18-30).

Rachel's sterility is a significant theme in her account. Genesis 29:31 states, "When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren." This verse highlights the divine role in the opening and closing of the womb, a recurring theme in the Bible. Rachel's inability to conceive led to intense personal anguish and rivalry with her sister Leah, who bore Jacob several sons.

In her desperation, Rachel expressed her distress to Jacob, saying, "Give me children, or I will die!" (Genesis 30:1). Jacob's response underscores the belief in God's sovereignty over fertility: "Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?" (Genesis 30:2). This exchange reflects the understanding that God alone has the power to grant or withhold the blessing of children.

In an attempt to overcome her barrenness, Rachel gave her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob as a wife, a common practice of the time to produce offspring through a surrogate. Bilhah bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali, whom Rachel claimed as her own (Genesis 30:3-8).

Rachel's prayers and persistence were eventually rewarded. Genesis 30:22-23 records, "Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, and she conceived and bore a son. 'God has taken away my disgrace,' she said." Rachel named her firstborn son Joseph, expressing her hope for an additional son by saying, "May the LORD add to me another son" (Genesis 30:24).

Rachel's account of sterility and eventual motherhood is a testament to the biblical theme of God's intervention in human affairs, particularly in matters of fertility and family. Her experience reflects the deep longing for children in the ancient world and the belief in God's ultimate control over life and creation.

Nave's Topical Index

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

Library

Chapter xxx
... Rachel, present at the time and much concerned as usual about her sterility, thinks
to resort to this traditional means of relieving the disability and asks ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

Here Beginneth the History of Joseph and his Brethren
... plenty in all the land of Egypt, after whom shall follow other seven years of so
great sterility, barrenness, and ... The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the history of 2.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... Then Jacob after his return dwells at Akrabit; Rachel bears her son Benjamin in ... 6.
The dismissal of Ishmael.7. The expulsion of Hagar.8. The sterility of Sarah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm