The Chronology and Birth of Jacob’s Children by Leah and Her Handmaid -- By: Charles L. Zimmerman

Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 13:1 (Winter 1972)
Article: The Chronology and Birth of Jacob’s Children by Leah and Her Handmaid
Author: Charles L. Zimmerman


The Chronology and Birth of Jacob’s Children
by Leah and Her Handmaid

Charles L. Zimmerman

Pastor, Evangelical Church
Archbold, Ohio

[Charles L. Zimmerman holds the B.A. degree from Wheaton College, and the B.D. and Th.M. degrees from Grace Theological Seminary. He is presently pastor of the Evangelical Church of Archbold, Ohio.]

In Genesis 29:31–30:24 the birth of twelve of Jacob’s children is recorded. These children are the offspring of four different women, Leah and Rachel, his wives, and Zilpah and Bilhah, their respective handmaids.

It will be remembered that Jacob had bargained with Laban to serve him seven years for his daughter Rachel. Upon being deceived by Laban at the end of that seven years, Jacob was given Leah, the older daughter of the family. Through further bargaining and mutual agreement, for seven more years of service Jacob was given Rachel, the woman he loved, one week later.

In Genesis 30:25, 26 it seems the last seven years of service had been completed and the twelve children had been born. This fact will be challenged by some of the suggested interpretations. Jacob then says to Laban, his father-in-law, “Send me away, that I may go into my own place and to my country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service wherewith I have served thee.”

Now it is not difficult to understand how Jacob could have had twelve children in seven years from four different women. No doubt a number of the children could have been born contemporaneously. However, it is amazing to read that Leah gave birth to seven of the twelve children which were born at that time. Of course, there is nothing

biologically impossible about having seven children in seven years, but the real problem arises when we learn that during that seven year period, “Leah saw that she left off bearing, so she took Zilpah her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob to wife. And Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, bare Jacob a son. And Leah said, ‘Fortunate!’ and she called his name Gad. And Zilpah Leah’s handmaid bear Jacob a second son. And Leah said, ‘Happy am I!’ For the daughters will call me happy! and she called his name Asher” (Gen 30:9–13). How could Leah have borne seven children and have had a barren period in which her handmaid bore two children, all in seven years? Or did these events occupy some period other than seven years?

It may be granted that th...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()