King James Version

What Does Genesis 30:15 Mean?

Genesis 30:15 in the King James Version says “And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandra...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 30:15 · KJV

Context

13

And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. Happy: Heb. In my happiness Asher: that is, Happy

14

And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.

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.

16

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

17

And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

Read Genesis 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take ... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 20

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֗הּ2 of 20
H0
הַמְעַט֙3 of 20

“unto her Is it a small matter”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

וְלָקַ֕חַת4 of 20

“and wouldest thou take away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת5 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִישִׁ֔י6 of 20
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

וְלָקַ֕חַת7 of 20

“and wouldest thou take away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

גַּ֥ם8 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת9 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דּֽוּדָאֵ֥י10 of 20

“mandrakes”

H1736

a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as an aphrodisiac)

בְנֵֽךְ׃11 of 20

“my son's”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וַתֹּ֣אמֶר12 of 20

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רָחֵ֗ל13 of 20

“also And Rachel”

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

לָכֵן֙14 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יִשְׁכַּ֤ב15 of 20

“Therefore he shall lie”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

עִמָּךְ֙16 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַלַּ֔יְלָה17 of 20

“with thee to night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

תַּ֖חַת18 of 20

“for”

H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

דּֽוּדָאֵ֥י19 of 20

“mandrakes”

H1736

a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as an aphrodisiac)

בְנֵֽךְ׃20 of 20

“my son's”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 30:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 30:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:13Ezekiel 16:47Numbers 16:9-101 Corinthians 4:3Isaiah 7:13

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