Genesis 30:17 (KJV)

What does Genesis 30:17 mean?

Genesis 30:17 says that God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Jacob’s fifth son. The verse shows that Leah’s prayer or desire was answered, and she was able to have another child with Jacob.

In the story, Leah and her sister Rachel are both married to Jacob and are in a kind of rivalry over having children. Leah, who had already given Jacob several sons, asks God for help, and Genesis 30:17 describes God responding to her. This verse highlights Leah’s ongoing relationship with God and the importance of children in her life and in her family’s story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 30:17

• The word for God here is אֱלֹהִים (’Elohim), a common Hebrew term for God that often emphasizes God’s power and authority. Its use here underlines that it is God who responds to Leah’s situation.
• The word translated as "hearkened" is שָׁמַע (shama‘), which means to hear or listen attentively. This suggests that God was not just aware of Leah’s situation but responded to her need or request.
• The word for "conceived" is הָרָה (harah), meaning to become pregnant. This word marks a turning point for Leah, showing that her hope for another child was fulfilled.
• The word for "fifth" is חֲמִישִׁי (chamishi), which simply means the fifth in order. This detail keeps track of Leah’s children and their place in Jacob’s growing family.

Why Genesis 30:17 matters

• Genesis 30:17 clarifies that Leah’s ability to have more children is directly linked to God’s involvement, not just natural circumstances.
• The verse highlights the ongoing theme in Genesis of God hearing and responding to the prayers or needs of individuals, especially in matters of family and descendants.
• This verse connects to the wider story of Jacob’s family, where the birth order and number of sons play a significant role in later events and the formation of the tribes of Israel.