Topical Bible: Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah

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Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Book of Genesis. Her account is intertwined with themes of love, rivalry, and divine providence. Rachel's jealousy of her sister Leah is a significant aspect of her life, reflecting the complexities of familial relationships and the cultural context of the time.

Background

Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's mother. Jacob fell in love with Rachel at first sight and agreed to work for Laban for seven years to marry her. However, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah, Rachel's older sister, as a wife instead. Jacob then worked an additional seven years to marry Rachel, whom he loved deeply (Genesis 29:18-30).

Jealousy and Rivalry

The rivalry between Rachel and Leah is a central theme in their account. Leah, though less loved by Jacob, was blessed with children, while Rachel remained barren for a time. This disparity led to Rachel's deep-seated jealousy and distress. Genesis 30:1 captures Rachel's anguish: "When Rachel saw that she was not bearing children for Jacob, she envied her sister. 'Give me children, or I will die!' she said to Jacob."

Rachel's jealousy was not merely a personal struggle but also a reflection of the societal importance placed on childbearing and lineage. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a woman's worth was often measured by her ability to bear children, particularly sons. Rachel's inability to conceive heightened her sense of inadequacy and rivalry with Leah.

Rachel's Response

In her desperation, Rachel resorted to giving her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob as a surrogate, a common practice of the time, to bear children on her behalf. Bilhah bore two sons, Dan and Naphtali, whom Rachel claimed as her own. Rachel's declaration upon Naphtali's birth, "I have wrestled with my sister and won" (Genesis 30:8), underscores the competitive nature of her relationship with Leah.

Divine Intervention

Despite her initial barrenness, Rachel's prayers were eventually answered. Genesis 30:22 states, "Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb." Rachel gave birth to Joseph, who would later become a central figure in the history of Israel. Her joy at Joseph's birth is evident in her words, "God has taken away my disgrace" (Genesis 30:23).

Rachel's account is a testament to the complexities of human emotions and the sovereignty of God in the lives of His people. Her jealousy, while a personal failing, is portrayed with empathy, acknowledging the cultural pressures and personal desires that fueled it. Through Rachel's life, the biblical narrative illustrates the transformative power of divine grace and the fulfillment of God's promises, even amidst human frailty.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 30:1
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.
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Library

The Testament of Issachar Concerning Simplicity.
... on account of the mandrakes the Lord visited her. ... Therefore the Lord hearkened to
Rachel because of the ... I never thought upon pleasure with women; but through ...
/.../v the testament of issachar concerning.htm

Chapter xxxi
... Had Rachel raised her protestation or ... Nothing appears here of the taboo that some
tribes and some races associated with women in this condition, taboos ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... husband of four wives"two full sisters, Rachel and Leah ... that there was a daily strife
among his women who should ... which Tamar put on, knowing that her father-in ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... designate Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel, were held ... Micah 6:4). Then "the women
whose heart ... as conspicuous, and more intelligent, than her husband's (Judges 13 ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... And the women answered one another as they played, and ... prose expression would have
been, "beside her," and in ... is assigned to the sons of Rachel, with Ephraim ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm