And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.
And Leah said, 'God has given me my reward because I gave my servant to my husband.' So she named the child Issachar.
Leah believes God has rewarded her for giving her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife, so she names her newborn son Issachar (meaning 'reward' or 'wages').
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of Genesis, Jacob was married to two sisters, Leah and Rachel, due to their father Laban's deception, leading to rivalry between the women over bearing children. Leah, who felt unloved compared to Rachel, gave her maidservant Zilpah to Jacob as a concubine in hopes of gaining favor and status through more offspring. This reflects the ancient patriarchal culture where women often sought security and position within the family by producing sons, as seen in Leah's naming of her son Issachar, meaning "God has rewarded me," to acknowledge divine involvement.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.