Devine Scripture

Genesis 30:3

What does Genesis 30:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 30:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And she said, Behold, my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; that she may bear upon my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And she said, Behold, my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; that she may bear upon my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then she said, Here is my servant Bilhah, go in to her, so that she may have a child on my knees, and I may have a family by her.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And she saith, `Lo, my handmaid Bilhah, go in unto her, and she doth bear on my knees, and I am built up, even I, from her;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But she said: I have here my servant Bala: go in unto her, that she may bear upon my knees, and I may have children by her.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And she said, Behold, there is my maid, Bilhah: go in to her, in order that she may bear on my knees, and I may also be built up by her.

Context

v.2And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

v.3This passage

v.4And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ruth 4:11

    And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Jehovah make the woman that is come into thy house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Beth-lehem:

  • Genesis 16:2

    And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, Jehovah hath restrained me from bearing; go in, I pray thee, unto my handmaid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

  • Job 3:12

    Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should suck?

  • Genesis 30:9

    When Leah saw that she had left off bearing, she took Zilpah her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob to wife.

  • Genesis 50:23

    And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph’s knees.

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