Genesis 30:20

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לֵאָ֗ה
And Leah
leah, a wife of jacob
#3
זְבָדַ֨נִי
hath endued
to confer
#4
אֱלֹהִ֥ים׀
God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#5
אֹתִי֮
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
זֵ֣בֶד
dowry
a gift
#7
טוֹב֒
me with a good
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
#8
הַפַּ֙עַם֙
now
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
#9
יִזְבְּלֵ֣נִי
dwell
to reside
#10
אִישִׁ֔י
will my husband
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#11
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#12
יָלַ֥דְתִּי
with me because I have born
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#13
ל֖וֹ
H0
#14
שִׁשָּׁ֣ה
him six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#15
בָנִ֑ים
sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#16
וַתִּקְרָ֥א
and she called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#17
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
שְׁמ֖וֹ
his name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#19
זְבֻלֽוּן׃
Zebulun
zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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