3-9. Bilhah . . . Zilpah--Following the example of Sarah with regard to Hagar, an example which is not seldom imitated still, she adopted the children of her maid. Leah took the same course. A bitter and intense rivalry existed between them, all the more from their close relationship as sisters; and although they occupied separate apartments, with their families, as is the uniform custom where a plurality of wives obtains, and the husband and father spends a day with each in regular succession, that did not allay their mutual jealousies. The evil lies in the system, which being a violation of God's original ordinance, cannot yield happiness.
JFB.
Outline
1 Rachel gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob
5 She bears Dan and Naphtali
9 Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher
17 Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.
22 Rachel bears Joseph
23 Jacob desires to depart
27 Laban keeps him there on a new covenant
37 God blesses Jacob whereby he became rich.
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