14 And Reuben goeth in the days of wheat-harvest, and findeth love-apples in the field, and bringeth them in unto Leah, his mother, and Rachel saith unto Leah, 'Give to me, I pray thee, of the love-apples of thy son.' 15 And she saith to her, 'Is thy taking my husband a little thing, that thou hast taken also the love-apples of my son?' and Rachel saith, 'Therefore doth he lie with thee to-night, for thy son's love-apples.' 16 And Jacob cometh in from the field at evening; and Leah goeth to meet him, and saith, 'Unto me dost thou come in, for hiring I have hired thee with my son's love-apples;' and he lieth with her during that night. 17 And God hearkeneth unto Leah, and she conceiveth, and beareth to Jacob a son, a fifth, 18 and Leah saith, 'God hath given my hire, because I have given my maid-servant to my husband;' and she calleth his name Issachar. 19 And conceive again doth Leah, and she beareth a sixth son to Jacob, 20 and Leah saith, 'God hath endowed me—a good dowry; this time doth my husband dwell with me, for I have borne to him six sons;' and she calleth his name Zebulun; 21 and afterwards hath she born a daughter, and calleth her name Dinah. 22 And God remembereth Rachel, and God hearkeneth unto her, and openeth her womb, 23 and she conceiveth and beareth a son, and saith, 'God hath gathered up my reproach;' 24 and she calleth his name Joseph, saying, 'Jehovah is adding to me another son.'
25 And it cometh to pass, when Rachel hath borne Joseph, that Jacob saith unto Laban, 'Send me away, and I go unto my place, and to my land; 26 give up my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and I go; for thou—thou hast known my service which I have served thee.' 27 And Laban saith unto him, 'If, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes—I have observed diligently that Jehovah doth bless me for thy sake.' 28 He saith also, 'Define thy hire to me, and I give.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 30:14-28
Commentary on Genesis 30:14-24
(Read Genesis 30:14-24)
The desire, good in itself, but often too great and irregular, of being the mother of the promised Seed, with the honour of having many children, and the reproach of being barren, were causes of this unbecoming contest between the sisters. The truth appears to be, that they were influenced by the promises of God to Abraham; whose posterity were promised the richest blessings, and from whom the Messiah was to descend.
Commentary on Genesis 30:25-43
(Read Genesis 30:25-43)
The fourteen years being gone, Jacob was willing to depart without any provision, except God's promise. But he had in many ways a just claim on Laban's substance, and it was the will of God that he should be provided for from it. He referred his cause to God, rather than agree for stated wages with Laban, whose selfishness was very great. And it would appear that he acted honestly, when none but those of the colours fixed upon should be found among his cattle. Laban selfishly thought that his cattle would produce few different in colour from their own. Jacob's course after this agreement has been considered an instance of his policy and management. But it was done by intimation from God, and as a token of his power. The Lord will one way or another plead the cause of the oppressed, and honour those who simply trust his providence. Neither could Laban complain of Jacob, for he had nothing more than was freely agreed that he should have; nor was he injured, but greatly benefitted by Jacob's services. May all our mercies be received with thanksgiving and prayer, that coming from his bounty, they may lead to his praise.