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Genesis 30 · a question people ask

Why did Rachel and Leah give their servants to Jacob?

In the text

Rachel says why: "that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her" (30:3). Her Hebrew repeats what Sarai said when she gave Hagar to Abram: the same verb, ibbaneh, with "by her", mimmennah, which the WEB translates the same way both times: "It may be that I will obtain children by her" (16:2). Leah gives Zilpah "when Leah saw that she had finished bearing" (30:9). The sayings at each birth show the rivalry: "I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed" (30:8).

The verses

“She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.””
Genesis 30:3 · World English Bible
“Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my servant. It may be that I will obtain children by her.” Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.”
Genesis 16:2 · World English Bible
“Rachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali. When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.”
Genesis 30:8-9 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Genesis 30

Genesis 30: Sons, rivals and flocks

Rachel and Leah competed through their servants, their sayings and even a trade of mandrakes, and Jacob's family grew to eleven sons and a daughter. Rachel's son came when "God remembered Rachel", and she named him Joseph. Laban admitted the LORD had blessed him because of Jacob, and though Laban removed every speckled animal, Jacob's flocks grew; he later says God gave them to him.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions