King James Version

What Does Genesis 30:6 Mean?

Genesis 30:6 in the King James Version says “And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his nam...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan. Dan: that is, Judging”

Genesis 30:6 · KJV

Context

4

And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.

5

And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.

6

And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan. Dan: that is, Judging

7

And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.

8

And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. great: Heb. wrestlings of God Naphtali: that is, My wrestling: Gr. Nephthalim

Read Genesis 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefor... 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 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 · 15 words
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 15

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רָחֵל֙2 of 15

“And Rachel”

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

דָּנַ֣נִּי3 of 15

“hath judged”

H1777

to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)

אֱלֹהִ֔ים4 of 15

“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

וְגַם֙5 of 15
H1571

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

שָׁמַ֣ע6 of 15

“me and hath also heard”

H8085

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

בְּקֹלִ֔י7 of 15

“my voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וַיִּתֶּן8 of 15

“and hath given”

H5414

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

לִ֖י9 of 15
H0
בֵּ֑ן10 of 15

“me a 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

עַל11 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֛ן12 of 15
H3651

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

קָֽרְאָ֥ה13 of 15

“therefore called”

H7121

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

שְׁמ֖וֹ14 of 15

“she his name”

H8034

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

דָּֽן׃15 of 15

“Dan”

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

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 30:6 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 30:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 3:59Psalms 35:24Psalms 43:1Genesis 49:16-17Jeremiah 13:2Jeremiah 13:24

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