Genesis 35:17

17 When her labor pains were at their worst, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, Rachel; it's another boy."

Genesis 35:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 35:17

And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour
In the midst of it, and at the worst: that the midwife said unto her, fear not;
for Rachel big with child, it was necessary to take a midwife with them in the journey; and perhaps this might be one that was always kept in the family, and had been assisting to all Jacob's wives and concubines at their labours; and this seems probable from what follows, since she not only bids her be of good courage, and not fear, comforting her under her pains, giving her hopes they would soon be over, and that she would have a safe delivery, and do well: but this she assures her of, thou shalt have this son also;
as she had one before, at whose birth she said, "the Lord shall add to me another son"; and therefore called his name Joseph, ( Genesis 30:24 ) ; this the midwife remembered, and endeavours to comfort her with the accomplishment of it.

Genesis 35:17 In-Context

15 He named the place Bethel.

16 Jacob and his family left Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, the time came for Rachel to have her baby, and she was having difficult labor.

17 When her labor pains were at their worst, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, Rachel; it's another boy."

18 But she was dying, and as she breathed her last, she named her son Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin.

19 When Rachel died, she was buried beside the road to Ephrath, now known as Bethlehem.