New International VersionThen Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.
New Living TranslationShe named him Zebulun, for she said, “God has given me a good reward. Now my husband will treat me with respect, for I have given him six sons.”
English Standard VersionThen Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.
Berean Standard Bible“God has given me a good gift,” she said. “This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” And she named him Zebulun.
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James VersionAnd Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.
New American Standard BibleThen Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good gift; finally my husband will acknowledge me as his wife, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.
NASB 1995Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good gift; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.
NASB 1977Then Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good gift; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Leah said, “God has gifted me a good gift; this time my husband will honor me because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.
Amplified BibleThen Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good [marriage] gift [for my husband]; now he will live with me [regarding me with honor as his wife], because I have given birth to six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.
Christian Standard Bible“God has given me a good gift,” Leah said. “This time my husband will honor me because I have borne six sons for him,” and she named him Zebulun.
Holman Christian Standard BibleGod has given me a good gift,” Leah said. “This time my husband will honor me because I have borne six sons for him,” and she named him Zebulun.
American Standard VersionAnd Leah said, God hath endowed me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
Contemporary English Versionshe exclaimed, "God has given me a wonderful gift, and my husband will praise me for giving him six sons." So she named the boy Zebulun.
English Revised VersionAnd Leah said, God hath endowed me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationLeah said, "God has presented me with a beautiful present. This time my husband will honor me because I have given him six sons." So she named him Zebulun [Honor].
Good News TranslationShe said, "God has given me a fine gift. Now my husband will accept me, because I have borne him six sons"; so she named him Zebulun.
International Standard VersionThen Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. This time my husband will exalt me, because I've borne him six sons." So she named him Zebulun.
NET BibleThen Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will honor me because I have given him six sons." So she named him Zebulun.
New Heart English BibleLeah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons." So she named him Zebulun.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Leah said, God hath endowed me with a good dower; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“God has given me a good gift,” she said. “This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.” And she named him Zebulun.
World English BibleLeah said, “God has endowed me with a good dowry. Now my husband will live with me, because I have borne him six sons.” She named him Zebulun. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Leah says, “God has endowed me—a good dowry; this time my husband dwells with me, for I have borne six sons to him”; and she calls his name Zebulun;
Young's Literal Translation 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;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Leah will say, God gave me a good gift; this time will my husband dwell with me, for I have borne to him six sons. And she will call his name Zebulon. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd said: God hath endowed me with a good dowry: this turn also my husband will be with me, because I have borne him six sons: and therefore she called his name Zabulon.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd she said: “God has endowed me with a good dowry. And now, at this turn, my husband will be with me, because I have conceived six sons for him.” And therefore she called his name Zebulun.
New American Bibleand Leah said, “God has brought me a precious gift. This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons”; so she named him Zebulun.
New Revised Standard VersionThen Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good dowry; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons”; so she named him Zebulun. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Leah said, God has enriched me exceedingly; now my husband will surely have more affection for me, because I have borne him six sons; so she called his name Zebulun.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Leah said “God has endowed me a good dowry; this time my husband will cleave to me, because I have given birth to six sons by him”, and she called his name Zabalaun. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Leah said: 'God hath endowed me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.' And she called his name Zebulun.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Lea said, God has given me a good gift in this time; my husband will choose me, for I have born him six sons: and she called his name, Zabulon.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah… 19Again Leah conceived and bore a sixth son to Jacob. 20“Godhas given mea goodgift,”shesaid.“This timemy husbandwill honor me,becauseI have bornehimsixsons.”And she namedhimZebulun.21After that, Leah gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.…
Cross References Genesis 29:32And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”
Genesis 35:23The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
Genesis 49:13Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.
Deuteronomy 33:18Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents.
Joshua 19:10-16The third lot came up for the clans of the tribe of Zebulun: The border of their inheritance stretched as far as Sarid. / It went up westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and met the brook east of Jokneam. / From Sarid it turned eastward along the border of Chisloth-tabor and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia. ...
Judges 5:18Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.
1 Chronicles 12:33From Zebulun: 50,000 fit for service, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, who with one purpose were devoted to David.
1 Chronicles 12:40And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.
Isaiah 9:1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
Matthew 4:13-15Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
John 1:45Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
John 21:2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
Revelation 7:5From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
Genesis 49:19Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.
Deuteronomy 33:20Concerning Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head.
Treasury of Scripture And Leah said, God has 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. A. Genesis 30:15 And she said unto her,Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes. Genesis 29:34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. and she. Genesis 35:23 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: Genesis 46:14 And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel. Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and heshall be for an haven of ships; and his bordershall be unto Zidon. Zebulun. Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: Zabulon. Jump to Previous BornBorneBride-PriceDowerDowryDwellEndowedEnduedGiftGoodHonorHusbandLeahPreciousPresentedSixTimeTreatZebulunZeb'ulunJump to Next BornBorneBride-PriceDowerDowryDwellEndowedEnduedGiftGoodHonorHusbandLeahPreciousPresentedSixTimeTreatZebulunZeb'ulunGenesis 30 1.Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.5.Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.9.Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.14.Reuben finds mandrakes,15.with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.17.Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.22.Rachel bears Joseph.25.Jacob desires to depart.27.Laban detains him on a new agreement.37.Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.God has given me a good gift,This phrase reflects Leah's acknowledgment of divine intervention in her life. In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, children, especially sons, were considered a blessing and a sign of God's favor. Leah's statement underscores her belief that God is actively involved in her personal circumstances. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God as the giver of life and blessings, as seen in passages like Psalm 127:3, which describes children as a heritage from the Lord. she said.
The use of direct speech here highlights Leah's personal experience and emotional state. It provides insight into her ongoing struggle for her husband's affection and societal status. This personal declaration is part of a larger narrative where Leah and her sister Rachel vie for Jacob's love and attention, reflecting the complex family dynamics and rivalries that characterize much of Genesis. This time my husband will honor me,
Leah's hope for honor from Jacob indicates her ongoing desire for his love and respect. Despite bearing him multiple sons, Leah feels undervalued compared to Rachel, Jacob's favored wife. This reflects the cultural context where a woman's worth was often tied to her ability to produce male heirs. Leah's statement also echoes earlier sentiments inGenesis 29:32-34, where she expresses similar hopes with the births of her previous sons. because I have borne him six sons.
The number six is significant, as it represents completeness in some biblical contexts. Leah's six sons contribute to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel, a foundational element in the history of the Israelites. This phrase also highlights the importance of lineage and inheritance in the ancient Near Eastern context, where sons were crucial for maintaining family legacy and property. And she named him Zebulun.
The name Zebulun is derived from a Hebrew root meaning "to honor" or "to dwell," reflecting Leah's hope for her husband's honor and possibly a more permanent place in his affections. Zebulun later becomes one of the tribes of Israel, with its own territory in the Promised Land. This naming also connects to the broader biblical theme of names carrying prophetic or significant meanings, as seen with other patriarchal figures like Isaac and Jacob. Persons / Places / Events 1. LeahThe first wife of Jacob, Leah is the mother of six of Jacob's sons. In this verse, she expresses her hope that her husband will now honor her more because of the sons she has borne him. 2. JacobThe patriarch who is married to both Leah and her sister Rachel. His relationships with his wives are complex and often strained due to favoritism and competition. 3. ZebulunThe sixth son of Leah and Jacob. His name is derived from the Hebrew root "zabal," meaning "to dwell" or "to honor," reflecting Leah's hope for her relationship with Jacob. 4. GodThe divine being whom Leah credits with giving her a "good gift," acknowledging His role in her fertility and blessings. 5. The Household of JacobThe broader context of this verse is the ongoing family dynamics and competition between Leah and Rachel for Jacob's affection and favor. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Family DynamicsLeah's account reminds us that God is at work even in complex and difficult family situations. We can trust His sovereignty and seek His guidance in our own family relationships. The Desire for Recognition and LoveLeah's longing for Jacob's affection is a universal human experience. This teaches us to find our ultimate worth and identity in God's love rather than human approval. The Blessing of ChildrenLeah's acknowledgment of her sons as a "good gift" from God encourages us to view children as blessings and to value the roles they play in God's plan. Contentment in God's ProvisionLeah's journey shows the importance of finding contentment in what God has provided, even when our circumstances are not ideal. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 30:20?
2.How does Leah's statement in Genesis 30:20 reflect her desire for Jacob's love?
3.What does Leah's naming of Zebulun reveal about her faith and expectations?
4.How can Genesis 30:20 inspire us to seek God's approval over human approval?
5.In what ways does Genesis 30:20 connect to God's promises in Genesis 29:31?
6.How can Leah's experience in Genesis 30:20 guide us in family relationships today?
7.Why did Leah believe bearing six sons would earn her husband's favor in Genesis 30:20?
8.How does Genesis 30:20 reflect the cultural importance of sons in biblical times?
9.What does Leah's statement in Genesis 30:20 reveal about her relationship with God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 30?
11.Who was Zebulun in the Bible?
12.Who was Zebulun in the Bible?
13.Who are the Sons of Jacob?
14.What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?What Does Genesis 30:20 Mean God has given me a good giftLeah’s first words shine a spotlight on God as the direct giver of life. She refuses to chalk her pregnancy up to chance; she credits the LORD for a “good gift.” •James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” •Psalm 127:3 declares, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Leah’s gratitude offers a model for recognizing God’s hand in every blessing, large or small.
This time my husband will honor meThough Leah trusts God, she still longs for Jacob’s affection. Earlier births had stirred similar hopes (Genesis 29:32-34), yet Leah keeps reaching for her husband’s recognition. • God’s concern for a spouse’s honor appears later in1 Peter 3:7, where husbands are urged to show honor to their wives. •Ephesians 5:33 likewise exhorts husbands to love and wives to respect, underscoring the mutual honor Leah desires. Her words expose a very human tension: even while receiving God’s favor, she aches for human validation.
Because I have borne him six sonsLeah now totals six sons—half of the tribal leaders of Israel will trace back to her. •Genesis 35:23 later lists them: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. •Psalm 128:3-4 pictures a fruitful household as a tangible sign of the LORD’s blessing. Leah’s perseverance underlines that God often works through sustained faithfulness rather than quick fixes.
And she named him ZebulunNames in Genesis regularly carry prophetic weight. “Zebulun” becomes the banner for an entire tribe that will later receive Moses’ blessing to rejoice by the sea (Deuteronomy 33:18-19) and be linked to the Messiah’s Galilean ministry (Matthew 4:13-15, citingIsaiah 9:1-2). •Genesis 49:13 anticipates Zebulun’s coastal inheritance, connecting Leah’s moment to Israel’s future geography. Thus a single name points forward to God’s unfolding plan across centuries.
SummaryLeah’s declaration inGenesis 30:20 captures four intertwined truths: God is the source of every good gift; human hearts still yearn for relational honor; steadfast faithfulness can produce far-reaching blessings; and even a baby’s name can signal God’s grand design. As we trace Leah’s words through Scripture, we see a gracious God who hears, provides, and weaves individual lives into His redemptive story. (20) Zebulun.--Leah is more than usually obscure in the reasons she gives for this name; for she plays upon two words, which probably both belonged to the Mesopotamian pato is:and as this was a Syriac dialect, we must look to that language for their explanation. The first is zebed;and here there is no difficulty. It means such presents as a father gives his daughter on her marriage, over and above those enumerated in the marriage contract. Of the second, zabal,there is no trace. Nor do the Syro-Arabic lexicons acknowledge in the word "Zebulun" such a sense as that of dwelling,given it in our margin. Bar-Ali explains it as meaning "salvation of the night, or a good dowry," and Bar- Bahlul, "a dowry of the night," both deriving it from zebed,a dowry, and lun,to pass the night. The derivation is wrong as far as concerns lun;for the word Zebulun is formed simply from zebed,the final dof which is changed into I for mere reasons of euphony. The Versions take the word zabalas mean ing, "to be with," Vulg.; "to choose," LXX.; "to cleave to," Syriac. It occurs nowhere else, but the substantive zebulis not uncommon, and means dwelling, station.As a woman's value in the East rises with each son, Leah now hoped for more love from her husband. Nor does she seem to have been disappointed.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew “Godאֱלֹהִ֥ים ׀(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativehas givenזְבָדַ֨נִי(zə·ḇā·ḏa·nî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2064:Bestow upon, endow withme a goodטוֹב֒(ṭō·wḇ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodgift,”זֵ֣בֶד(zê·ḇeḏ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2065:Endowment, gift[she]לֵאָ֗ה(lê·’āh)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3812:Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacobsaid.וַתֹּ֣אמֶר(wat·tō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“This timeהַפַּ֙עַם֙(hap·pa·‘am)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6471:A beat, foot, anvil, occurrencemy husbandאִישִׁ֔י(’î·šî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personwill honor me,יִזְבְּלֵ֣נִי(yiz·bə·lê·nî)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2082:Probably to dwellbecauseכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionI have borneיָלַ֥דְתִּי(yā·laḏ·tî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineagehimל֖וֹ(lōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewsixשִׁשָּׁ֣ה(šiš·šāh)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 8337:Six (a cardinal number)sons.”בָנִ֑ים(ḇā·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121:A sonAnd she namedוַתִּקְרָ֥א(wat·tiq·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readhim Zebulun.זְבֻלֽוּן׃(zə·ḇu·lūn)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2074:Zebulun -- a son of Jacob, also his descendants and their territory
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OT Law: Genesis 30:20 Leah said God has endowed me (Gen. Ge Gn) |
