King James Version

What Does Genesis 30:20 Mean?

Genesis 30:20 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 30:20 · KJV

Context

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

21

And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. Dinah: that is Judgment

22

And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

Read Genesis 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I ha... 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 obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 19

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֵאָ֗ה2 of 19

“And Leah”

H3812

leah, a wife of jacob

זְבָדַ֨נִי3 of 19

“hath endued”

H2064

to confer

אֱלֹהִ֥ים׀4 of 19

“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

אֹתִי֮5 of 19
H853

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

זֵ֣בֶד6 of 19

“dowry”

H2065

a gift

טוֹב֒7 of 19

“me with a good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

הַפַּ֙עַם֙8 of 19

“now”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

יִזְבְּלֵ֣נִי9 of 19

“dwell”

H2082

to reside

אִישִׁ֔י10 of 19

“will 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)

כִּֽי11 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָלַ֥דְתִּי12 of 19

“with me because I have born”

H3205

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

ל֖וֹ13 of 19
H0
שִׁשָּׁ֣ה14 of 19

“him six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

בָנִ֑ים15 of 19

“sons”

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

וַתִּקְרָ֥א16 of 19

“and she called”

H7121

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

אֶת17 of 19
H853

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

שְׁמ֖וֹ18 of 19

“his name”

H8034

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

זְבֻלֽוּן׃19 of 19

“Zebulun”

H2074

zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe

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 30:20 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 30:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 4:13Genesis 35:23Genesis 49:13Judges 4:10Genesis 46:14Judges 5:14

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