King James Version

What Does Genesis 30:18 Mean?

Genesis 30:18 in the King James Version says “And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 30:18 · KJV

Context

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.

20

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. Zebulun: that is, Dwelling: Gr. Zabulon

Read Genesis 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she call... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 12

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֵאָ֗ה2 of 12

“And Leah”

H3812

leah, a wife of jacob

נָתַ֥תִּי3 of 12

“I have given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֱלֹהִים֙4 of 12

“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

שְׂכָרִ֔י5 of 12

“me my hire”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

אֲשֶׁר6 of 12

“because”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתַ֥תִּי7 of 12

“I have given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

שִׁפְחָתִ֖י8 of 12

“my maiden”

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

לְאִישִׁ֑י9 of 12

“to my husband”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַתִּקְרָ֥א10 of 12

“and she called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמ֖וֹ11 of 12

“his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יִשָּׂשכָֽר׃12 of 12

“Issachar”

H3485

jissaskar, a son of jacob

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 30:18 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 30:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 12:32Deuteronomy 33:18Genesis 35:23Genesis 46:13Genesis 49:14-15

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