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.

GENESIS 30:20KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 30:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 30:20 mean?

Genesis 30:20 describes Leah expressing joy and hope that her husband Jacob will now honor her and live with her, because she has given birth to six sons. She names her newborn son Zebulun, believing that this is a generous gift or "dowry" from God to strengthen her place in her husband's life.

In this verse, Leah is speaking after the birth of her sixth son. She sees the birth as a sign of God's favor, using the word "dowry" to describe what she feels God has given her—a valuable gift that might secure her husband's affection. The family situation is tense: Leah and her sister Rachel are both married to Jacob and have been competing for his attention and for children.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 30:20

  • The word for "endued" is זָדַד (zādad), which can mean "to endow" or "to provide." Leah feels that God has provided her with something valuable.
  • The word for "dowry" is זֵבֶד (zeved), meaning a gift or endowment. Leah sees her sons as a kind of gift that could improve her standing with Jacob.
  • The name "Zebulun" (זְבוּלוּן, zevulun) is related to the Hebrew word for "dwell" or "honor," reflecting Leah's hope that Jacob will now honor her more or dwell with her because of her many sons.

Why Genesis 30:20 matters

  • This verse highlights Leah's ongoing desire for her husband's love and approval, showing the emotional dynamics in Jacob's family.
  • The use of "dowry" and the naming of Zebulun reveal how Leah interprets her circumstances as both a blessing from God and a means to gain her husband's favor.
  • Genesis 30:20 connects to the larger story of rivalry between Leah and Rachel, helping explain the origins of the twelve tribes of Israel and the personal struggles behind them.

Where else these words appear

“Leah” Hebrew H3812 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 29:16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
  • Genesis 30:11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
  • Genesis 31:33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.

“Zebulun” Hebrew H2074 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 35:23 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
  • Deuteronomy 33:18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:1 These are the sons of Israel; Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun,

“now” Hebrew H6471 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Deuteronomy 10:10 And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee.
  • 2 Kings 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.