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Genesis Chapter 30

Jacob and His Sons Prosper Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.

30 1 Gen 29:31; Gen 37:11; Job 5:2 A1And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

2 Gen 16:2; 1 Sam 1:5 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?

3 Gen 16:2; Job 3:12; Gen 50:23; Gen 16:2 3And 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.

4 Gen 35:22 4And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.

5 Lam 3:59; Psa 43:1 5And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.

6And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

7And Bilhah Rachel’s maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.

8 Mat 4:13 8And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.

9When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.

10And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son.

11 Isa 65:11 11And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.

12And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a second son.

13 Pro 31:28; Luk 1:48 13And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. Reuben finds mandrakes,

14 Gen 25:30; SS 7:13 14¶And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son’s mandrakes. with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.

15 Num 16:9 15And 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.

16And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son’s mandrakes. And he lay with her that night. Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.

17And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

18And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

19And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.

20And 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.

21And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah. Rachel bears Joseph.

22 Gen 8:1; 1 Sam 1:19; Gen 29:31 22And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

23 Luk 1:25; Isa 4:1; 1 Sam 1:6 23And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:

24 Gen 35:17 24And she called his name Joseph; and said, The Lord shall add to me another son. Jacob desires to depart.

25 Gen 24:55; Gen 18:33; Gen 31:55 25¶And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.

26 Gen 29:20 26Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. Laban detains him on a new agreement.

27 Gen 26:24; Isa 61:9; Psa 1:3; Gen 39:3,5 27And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.

28 Gen 29:15 28And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.

29 Tit 2:10; Mat 24:45; Gen 31:6 29And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.

30 1 Tim 5:8 30For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

31And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:

32 Gen 31:8 32I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.

33 Psa 37:6 33So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

34And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.

35And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

36And he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks. Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.

37 Gen 31:9 37¶And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

38And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.

39And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

40And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban’s cattle.

41And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.

42But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.

43 Gen 24:35; Gen 13:2; Eze 39:10 43And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

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Introductions and Outlines courtesy Grace to You. Used by permission)

Introduction to Genesis
by John MacArthur

Title

The English title, Genesis, comes from the Greek translation (Septuagint, LXX)¹ meaning “origins”; whereas, the Hebrew title is derived from the Bible’s very first word, translated “in the beginning.” Genesis serves to introduce the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of the OT) and the entire Bible. The influence of Genesis in Scripture is demonstrated by its being quoted over 35 times in the NT and hundreds of allusions appearing in both Testaments. The story line of salvation which begins in Gen 3 is not completed until Rev 21, 22 where the eternal kingdom of redeemed believers is gloriously pictured.

Author and Date

While 1) the author does not identify himself in Genesis and 2) Genesis ends almost 3 centuries before Moses was born, both the OT (Ex 17:14; Num 33:2; Josh 8:31; 1 Kin. 2:3; 2 Kin 14:6; Ezra 6:18; Neh 13:1; Dan 9:11, 13; Mal 4:4) and the NT (Matt 8:4; Mark 12:26; Luke 16:29; 24:27, 44; John 5:46; 7:22; Acts 15:1; Rom 10:19; 1 Cor. 9:9; 2 Cor 3:15) ascribe this composition to Moses, who is the fitting author in light of his educational background (cf. Acts 7:22). No compelling reasons have been forthcoming to challenge Mosaic authorship. Genesis was written after the Exodus (ca. 1445 B.C.), but before Moses’ death (ca. 1405 B.C.). For a brief biographical sketch of Moses read Ex 1-6.

Background and Setting

The initial setting for Genesis is eternity past. God then, by willful act and divine Word, spoke all creation into existence, furnished it, and finally breathed life into a lump of dirt which He fashioned in His image to become Adam. God made mankind the crowning point of His creation, i.e., His companions who would enjoy fellowship with Him and bring glory to His name. The historical background for the early events in Genesis is clearly Mesopotamian. While it is difficult to pinpoint precisely the historical moment for which this book was written, Israel first heard Genesis sometime prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land (ca. 1405 B.C.). Genesis has 3 distinct, sequential geographical settings: 1) Mesopotamia (chaps. 1-11); 2) the Promised Land (chaps. 12-36); and 3) Egypt (chaps. 37-50). The time frames of these 3 segments are: 1) Creation to ca. 2090 B.C.; 2) 2090-1897 B.C.; and 3) 1897-1804 B.C. Genesis covers more time than the remaining books of the Bible combined.

Historical and Theological Themes

In this book of beginnings, God revealed Himself and a worldview to Israel which contrasted, at times sharply, with the worldview of Israel’s neighbors. The author made no attempt to defend the existence of God or to present a systematic discussion of His person and works. Rather, Israel’s God distinguished Himself clearly from the alleged gods of her neighbors. Theological foundations are revealed which include God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, man, sin, redemption, covenant, promise, Satan and angels, kingdom, revelation, Israel, judgment, and blessing.

Genesis 1-11 (primeval history) reveals the origins of the universe, i.e., the beginnings of time and space and many of the firsts in human experience, such as marriage, family, the Fall, sin, redemption, judgment, and nations. Genesis 12-50 (patriarchal history) explained to Israel how they came into existence as a family whose ancestry could be traced to Eber (hence the “Hebrews”; Gen 10:24, 25) and even more remotely to Shem, the son of Noah (hence the “Semites”; Gen 10:21). God’s people came to understand not only their ancestry and family history, but also the origins of their institutions, customs, languages, and different cultures, especially basic human experiences such as sin and death.

Because they were preparing to enter Canaan and dispossess the Canaanite inhabitants of their homes and properties, God revealed their enemies’ background. In addition, they needed to understand the actual basis of the war they were about to declare in light of the immorality of killing, consistent with the other 4 books that Moses was writing (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). Ultimately, the Jewish nation would understand a selected portion of preceding world history and the inaugural background of Israel as a basis by which they would live in their new beginnings under Joshua’s leadership in the land which had previously been promised to their original patriarchal forefather, Abraham.

Genesis 12:1-3 established a primary focus on God’s promises to Abraham. This narrowed their view from the entire world of peoples in Gen 1-11 to one small nation, Israel, through whom God would progressively accomplish His redemptive plan. This underscored Israel’s mission to be “a light to the Gentiles” (Is 42:6). God promised land, descendants (seed), and blessing. This 3-fold promise became, in turn, the basis of the covenant with Abraham (Gen 15:1-20). The rest of Scripture bears out the fulfillment of these promises.

On a larger scale, Gen 1-11 set forth a singular message about the character and works of God. In the sequence of accounts which make up these chapters of Scripture, a pattern emerges which reveals God’s abundant grace as He responded to the willful disobedience of mankind. Without exception, in each account God increased the manifestation of His grace. But also without exception, man responded in greater sinful rebellion. In biblical words, the more sin abounded the more did God’s grace abound (cf. Rom 5:20).

One final theme of both theological and historical significance sets Genesis apart from other books of Scripture, in that the first book of Scripture corresponds closely with the final book. In the book of Revelation, the paradise which was lost in Genesis will be regained. The apostle John clearly presented the events recorded in his book as future resolutions to the problems which began as a result of the curse in Gen 3. His focus is upon the effects of the Fall in the undoing of creation and the manner in which God rids His creation of the curse effect. In John’s own words, “And there shall be no more curse” (Rev 22:3). Not surprisingly, in the final chapter of God’s Word, believers will find themselves back in the Garden of Eden, the eternal paradise of God, eating from the tree of life (Rev 22:1-14). At that time, they will partake, wearing robes washed in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 22:14).

Interpretive Challenges

Grasping the individual messages of Genesis which make up the larger plan and purpose of the book presents no small challenge since both the individual accounts and the book’s overall message offer important lessons to faith and works. Genesis presents creation by divine fiat, ex nihilo, i.e., “out of nothing.” Three traumatic events of epic proportions, namely the Fall, the universal Flood, and the Dispersion of nations are presented as historical backdrop in order to understand world history. From Abraham on, the pattern is to focus on God’s redemption and blessing. The customs of Genesis often differ considerably from those of our modern day. They must be explained against their ancient Near Eastern background. Each custom must be treated according to the immediate context of the passage before any attempt is made to explain it based on customs recorded in extrabiblical sources or even elsewhere in Scripture.

1. LXX Septuagint—an ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek.

Outline of Genesis
by John MacArthur

Genesis by content is comprised of two basic sections: 1) Primitive history (Gen 1-11) and 2) Patriarchal history (Gen 12-50). Primitive history records 4 major events: 1) Creation (Gen 1, 2); 2) the Fall (Gen 3-5); 3) the Flood (Gen 6-9); and 4) the Dispersion (Gen 10, 11). Patriarchal history spotlights 4 great men: 1) Abraham (Gen 12:1-25:8); 2) Isaac (Gen 21:1-35:29); 3) Jacob (Gen 25:21-50:14); and 4) Joseph (Gen 30:22-50:26).

The literary structure of Genesis is built on the frequently recurring phrase “the history/genealogy of” and is the basis for the following outline:

I. The Creation of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1:1-2:3)

II. The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth (Gen 2:4-4:26)

A. Adam and Eve in Eden (Gen 2:4-25)
B. The Fall and Its Outcomes (Gen 3)
C. Murder of a Brother (Gen 4:1-24)
D. Hope in the Descendants of Seth (Gen 4:25, 26)

III. The Generations of Adam (Gen 5:1-6:8)

A. Genealogy—Seth to Noah (Gen 5)
B. Rampant Sin Prior to the Flood (Gen 6:1-8)

IV. The Generations of Noah (Gen 6:9-9:29)

A. Preparation for the Flood (Gen 6:9-7:9)
B. The Flood and Deliverance (Gen 7:10-8:19)
C. God’s Noahic Covenant (Gen 8:20-9:17)
D. The History of Noah’s Descendants (Gen 9:18-29)

V. The Generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 10:1-11:9)

A. The Nations (Gen 10)
B. Dispersion of the Nations (Gen 11:1-9)

VI. The Generations of Shem: Genealogy of Shem to Terah (Gen 11:10-26)

VII. The Generations of Terah (Gen 11:27-25:11)

A. Genealogy (Gen 11:27-32)
B. The Abrahamic Covenant: His Land and People (Gen 12:1-22:19)
1. Journey to the Promised Land (Gen 12:1-9)
2. Redemption from Egypt (Gen 12:10-20)
3. Division of the land (Gen 13)
4. Victory over the kings (Gen 14)
5. The covenant ratified (Gen 15)
6. Rejection of Hagar and Ishmael (Gen 16)
7. The covenant confirmed (Gen 17)
8. Birth of Isaac foretold (Gen 18:1-15)
9. Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:16-19:38)
10. Philistine encounter (Gen 20)
11. Isaac’s birth (Gen 21)
12. Abraham’s act of faith with Isaac (Gen 22:1-19)
C. Abraham’s Promised Seed (Gen 22:20-25:11)
1. Rebekah’s background (Gen 22:20-24)
2. Death of Sarah (Gen 23)
3. Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah (Gen 24)
4. Isaac the only heir (Gen 25:1-6)
5. Death of Abraham (Gen 25:7-11)

VIII. The Generations of Ishmael (Gen 25:12-18)

IX. The Generations of Isaac (Gen 25:19-35:29)

A. Competition Between Esau and Jacob (Gen 25:19-34)
B. Covenant Blessings to Isaac (Gen 26)
C. Jacob’s Deception for the Blessing (Gen 27:1-40)
D. Blessing on Jacob in a Foreign Land (Gen 27:41-32:32)
1. Jacob sent to Laban (Gen 27:41-28:9)
2. Angel at Bethel (Gen 28:10-22)
3. Disagreements with Laban (Gen 29:1-30)
4. Promised seed (Gen 29:31-30:24)
5. Departure from Aram (Gen 30:25-31:55)
6. Angels at Mahanaim and Penuel (Gen 32)
E. Esau’s Reunion and Reconciliation with Jacob (Gen 33:1-17)
F. Events and Deaths from Shechem to Mamre (Gen 33:18-35:29)

X. The Generations of Esau (Gen 36:1-37:1)

XI. The Generations of Jacob (Gen 37:2-50:26)

A. Joseph’s Dreams (Gen 37:2-11)
B. Family Tragedy (Gen 37:12-38:30)
C. Vice Regency over Egypt (chaps. 39-41)
D. Reunion with Family (chaps. 42-45)
E. Transition to Exodus (chaps. 46-50)
1. Journey to Egypt (Gen 46:1-27)
2. Occupation in Goshen (Gen 46:28-47:31)
3. Blessings on the twelve tribes (Gen 48:1-49:28)
4. Death and burial of Jacob in Canaan (Gen 49:29-50:14)
5. Death of Joseph in Egypt (Gen 50:15-26)

Introduction to Genesis
by John MacArthur

Title

Author and Date

Background and Setting

Historical and Theological Themes

Interpretive Challenges

Outline of Genesis
by John MacArthur

I. The Creation of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1:1-2:3)

II. The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth (Gen 2:4-4:26)

III. The Generations of Adam (Gen 5:1-6:8)

IV. The Generations of Noah (Gen 6:9-9:29)

V. The Generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 10:1-11:9)

VI. The Generations of Shem: Genealogy of Shem to Terah (Gen 11:10-26)

VII. The Generations of Terah (Gen 11:27-25:11)

VIII. The Generations of Ishmael (Gen 25:12-18)

IX. The Generations of Isaac (Gen 25:19-35:29)

X. The Generations of Esau (Gen 36:1-37:1)

XI. The Generations of Jacob (Gen 37:2-50:26)

The 1440 Agenda

Remembering Marcy

Study Bible

Introduction to Genesisby John MacArthur

Title

Author and Date

Background and Setting

Historical and Theological Themes

Interpretive Challenges

Outline of Genesisby John MacArthur

I. The Creation of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1:1-2:3)

II. The Generations of the Heavens and the Earth (Gen 2:4-4:26)

III. The Generations of Adam (Gen 5:1-6:8)

IV. The Generations of Noah (Gen 6:9-9:29)

V. The Generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen 10:1-11:9)

VI. The Generations of Shem: Genealogy of Shem to Terah (Gen 11:10-26)

VII. The Generations of Terah (Gen 11:27-25:11)

VIII. The Generations of Ishmael (Gen 25:12-18)

IX. The Generations of Isaac (Gen 25:19-35:29)

X. The Generations of Esau (Gen 36:1-37:1)

XI. The Generations of Jacob (Gen 37:2-50:26)

Books of the Bible

Chapters in Genesis

The 1440 Agenda

Introduction to Genesis
by John MacArthur

Outline of Genesis
by John MacArthur