Bible Strands
Genesis 30:18
Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband.” So she named him Issachar.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Leah speaks to identify the cause of her fifth son's birth immediately after God enables her conception (Genesis 30:17). She assigns a name to the newborn upon his arrival.
The words — The Hebrew term שְׂכָרִי (sekhari) translates literally as "my reward," while the verb נָתַן (natan) means "he has given." Leah uses these terms to declare that God provided compensation for her action.
The thread — This naming event precedes Leah's sixth birth (Genesis 30:19) and later appears in the genealogical lists of her sons (Genesis 35:23). The child's identity is also referenced in the patriarchal blessing (Genesis 49:14).
Why it lands — The text records Leah attributing her fertility directly to divine action rather than human strategy. A reader must note the explicit cause-and-effect structure before considering theological implications about compensation or covenant.
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, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.
Cross-references
- Genesis 35:23 The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
- Genesis 46:13 The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron.
- Genesis 49:14 Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds.
- Deuteronomy 33:18 Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents.
- 1 Chronicles 12:32 From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.