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In the last article we'd learned how the child-bearing competition between Leah and Rachel had intensified. This competition between Leah and Rachel had finally went beyond the two sisters. For we now find, that Leah and Rachel's maidservants were now involved.

The two sisters would eventually turn to and hand their maidservants over to Jacob - in the hopes that one of them could gain an added advantage when it came to bearing Jacob children.

Because of this, we now find that Jacob has eight sons between three of his four wives.

Keep in mind that Rachel hasn't yet, had any kids of her own, being that at this time in her life, she was found to be barren

Because of her barren condition, Rachel would eventually become jealous and threaten by Leah. For it was at this time, that Leah had already, personally, given birth to Jacob's first four sons.

This is what caused Rachel to panic and take matters into her own hands, by providing her husband with her maidservant Bilhah. Rachel had given herself over to the idea, of being satisfied with building a family through her maidservant. And judging by her actions, it would seem that Rachel felt like this was the only way, she would be able to compete with her sister Leah when it came to giving Jacob kids.

Now it would seem that Rachel's plan had produced some success, being that her maidservant Bilhah would give birth to Jacob's next two sons: Dan and Naphtali, and because of this, we now find Leah abandoning all good reason and common sense, by falling deeper into the trap of competing with Rachel.

So we now find that Leah has panic, being that she hadn't given Jacob another child, in over a year. And to make matters worse, she now finds, that Rachel is trying to build a family through Bilhah her maid servant. Because of this Leah would begin to feel the pressure, and perhaps threaten as well, when it came to possibly losing her child-bearing advantage over her sister.

This is why we now find Leah countering Rachel's move, by offering her own maidservant Zilpah to her husband. And needless-to say, Jacob would accept Leah's offer by making Zilpah his new wife. And as we would soon learn, Zilpah would end up bearing Jacob his next two sons. This would now give Jacob eight sons in total, between three of his four wives.

So we now move forward, and we find that one day during a wheat harvest, Leah's oldest son Reuben was out and about. It would be at this time, that he found some mandrake plants. Now keep in mind that it's not actually clear on what type of "mandrake plants" they were. And it's for this reason, we can only assume that these plants were some type of rare fruit, or flowers, or perhaps a combination of the two.

Now I don't want this page to be completely about "mandrake plants" - so I won't go into great depth when it comes to these very interesting species of plants. But keep in mind that they're many different "mandrake plant species" throughout the world. So I will list only two, just for the sake of curiosity.

Now it's very possible that this was the type of "mandrake plant" that Leah's son had found while he was out and about.Know that this mandrake plant is very narcotic and has a long fleshly forked root that could, perhaps, resemble a human body at times.

This plant is used mainly for medicinal and mystical purposes, and although they are considered poisonous - they're believed to be very efficient when it comes to the human body in the medicinal sense.

Now this plant is still used in today's modern times, when it comes to revivalism religions like: Odinism (Norse Mythology). Understand that the people who practice this religion are known to worship "Odin" -- The god of wisdom and death.

Also know that this particular "mandrake plant" is also used in neo-pagan religions like: Wicca. Know that people who take part in this religion, take up the practice of learning spells, herbalism and divination - which is also known as "The Old Religion."

And although "Wiccans" try to separate themselves, by trying to make the claim that they are different when it comes to the practice of Witchcraft (Witches & Warlocks), they still incorporate a specific form of witchcraft in some way or fashion.

F.Y.I. - (This plant has also been featured in popular movies like "The Harry Potter Series" and "Pan's Labyrinth".)

Now it's highly unlikely, that this was the type of "mandrake plant" that was found by Leah's son. But I just wanted to list it, in order to show the stark contrast between the different types of "mandrake plant species" that's known.

Be that as it may, know that this is a Perennial herb that grows to about one to two feet in height and bears a fruit that are small and yellow in color.

This particular mandrake plant grows over here in the west (North America) and was used by the Indians for medicinal purposes as well.

They would use this herb to help with conditions like worms in the intestines and the removal of warts and moles.

Now although the plant is considered poisonous, the fruit it bears is considered to have no medicinal benefits and has a syrupy taste.

Now as I stated before, it's not clear which mandrake plant was used and remember - I just listed two for the sake of curiosity. However, what we do know, is that the "mandrake plant" were widely used when it came to helping women with their fertility issues, back during the time of Leah and Rachel.

And after Reuben had brought his mother the mandrakes, it would be at this time that Rachel had seen them. Now with her being barren, Rachel asked her sister if she could have some of her "mandrakes": "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes."

After hearing Rachel's plea, Leah scoffed: "Wasn't it enough that you took away my husband? Will you now take away my son's mandrakes too?" After hearing this, Rachel responded by saying: "Very well, he [Jacob] can sleep with you tonight in return for your son's mandrakes."

Needless-to-say, Leah would accept this arrangement with her sister. And later on that day has Jacob arrived home, Leah went out to meet him: "You must sleep with me tonight, I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Jacob slept with his wife Leah that night, and because of this, she would get pregnant. Now this would make Jacob's his fifth son with Leah - and a total of nine sons overall. Leah would name this child "Issachar" for his name meant (a hire or my reward):

"And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacoba fifth son. Leah said, 'God has given me my wages, becauseI have given my maid to my husband.' So she called his nameIssachar." -- Genesis 30:17,18

And as one look deeply upon that statement, we'll find that there was some truth in Leah's statement, being that she did hire her husband (in her own way) for that night, and so therefore felt like she was rewarded by God for doing so.

But God wouldn't be through with Leah yet, for we find that sometime later - Leah would conceive again, and it would be at this time that she'd bored Jacob his sixth son -- which gave him ten sons in total by the way. And Leah would name this child "Zebulun" for his name meant (dwelling or honor): "God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor because I have borne him six sons." Leah would say pridefully.

And God still wasn't done, for He would also bless Leah with the honor of bearing Jacob a daughter - that they named "Dinah." Now it's important to remember her name, for she will be involved in a somewhat tragic account a little later on. But personally I find it very interesting that it was Leah who ended up given birth to two more children for Jacob, and Rachel hasn't given birth to one that she can call her own. Know that it was a huge mistake for Rachel to turn to the "mandrake plant" for help, instead of trusting on God.

Now that Leah holds a significant child-bearing advantage, how will Rachel respond? "Team Leah" now holds an eight to two advantage over "Team Rachel" when it comes to sons. "Team Leah" also holds a one to nothing advantage, when it comes to daughters as well. Will God continue to keep Rachel barren, or will He finally answer her prayers?

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

42) Esau - Heart of Vengeance

43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream

45) Rachel the Shepherdess

46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping

47) Leah Gains Favor with God

48) Bilhah the Child Bearer

49) Zilpah the Child Bearer

50) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->

51) The Birth of Joseph

52) Spotted & Speckled

53) Jacob the Master Shepherd

54) Jacob the Prosperous

55) Jacob Departs from Laban