Bible Strands
Genesis 30:13
Leah said, “How happy I am! For the women call me happy.” So she named him Asher.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Leah speaks after her servant Zilpah bears Jacob a second son, naming the child in direct response to the women’s declaration of her happiness.
The words — The Hebrew אִשְּרוּנִי ('i.sheru.ni) means "they will call me happy," and בְּאָשְׁרִי (be.'a.shre.i) translates literally as "in my happiness."
The thread — The naming and blessing motif continues in Genesis 35:26 and Genesis 49:20 regarding Asher, while the pattern of generations calling a woman blessed reappears in Luke 1:48.
Why it lands — The text records Leah’s attribution of social validation to her son’s birth, requiring the reader to note how ancient naming practices functioned as public declarations of status rather than private sentiment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.
Cross-references
- Luke 1:48 For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
- Genesis 35:26 And the sons of Leah’s maidservant Zilpah were Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan-aram.
- Genesis 49:20 Asher’s food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.
- Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
- Song of Solomon 6:9 but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the favorite of the mother who bore her. The maidens see her and call her blessed; the queens and concubines sing her praises.
- Genesis 46:17 The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
- Deuteronomy 33:24 And concerning Asher he said: “May Asher be the most blessed of sons; may he be the most favored among his brothers and dip his foot in oil.