King James Version

What Does Genesis 30:17 Mean?

Genesis 30:17 in the King James Version says “And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 30:17 · KJV

Context

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.

18

And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar. Issachar: that is, An hire

19

And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.

Read Genesis 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.... 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. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Jacob's Prosperity shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע1 of 9

“hearkened”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֱלֹהִ֖ים2 of 9

“And God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶל3 of 9
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאָ֑ה4 of 9

“unto Leah”

H3812

leah, a wife of jacob

וַתַּ֛הַר5 of 9

“and she conceived”

H2029

to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)

וַתֵּ֥לֶד6 of 9

“and bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לְיַֽעֲקֹ֖ב7 of 9

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

בֵּ֥ן8 of 9

“son”

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

חֲמִישִֽׁי׃9 of 9

“the fifth”

H2549

fifth; also a fifth

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 30:17 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 30:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 1:26-271 Samuel 1:20Exodus 3:7Genesis 30:22Genesis 30:6Luke 1:13

Test Your Knowledge

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