Genesis 30

Genesis 30 focuses on the competition between Jacob's wives (Rachel and Leah) to bear children and Jacob's growing prosperity while working for his father-in-law Laban.

The chapter begins with Rachel's desperation over her barrenness while her sister Leah has already borne four sons. In her jealousy, Rachel gives Jacob her maidservant Bilhah as a concubine to bear children "upon my knees" (a cultural practice where the children would legally be considered Rachel's). Bilhah bears two sons: Dan and Naphtali. Not to be outdone, Leah (who had temporarily stopped bearing children) gives Jacob her maidservant Zilpah, who bears Gad and Asher.

Later, Leah trades mandrakes (plants believed to help with fertility) that her son Reuben found to Rachel in exchange for a night with Jacob. Leah bears two more sons (Issachar and Zebulun) and a daughter named Dinah.

Finally, God "remembers" Rachel and opens her womb. She bears Joseph and expresses hope for another son.

In the latter part of the chapter, Jacob negotiates with Laban to begin building his own flocks. They agree that Jacob can keep all the speckled, spotted, and dark-colored animals as his wages. Jacob then uses a breeding technique involving peeled branches to produce strong, streaked animals for himself while the weaker ones go to Laban. Through this strategy, Jacob grows "exceedingly" prosperous with large flocks and many servants.