KJV ORIGINAL
And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
They left Bethel and traveled on. When they were just a short distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor and had a very difficult childbirth.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse describes Rachel beginning to give birth to her second son during Jacob's family journey, but the delivery was extremely difficult and dangerous.
📚 Historical Context
Jacob and his family were traveling through the Promised Land after God had renewed His covenant with Jacob at Bethel. Ephrath was the ancient name for Bethlehem, located about six miles south of Jerusalem. In ancient times, childbirth was already dangerous, and difficult labor often meant life-threatening complications for both mother and child.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.
Share or Save