Genesis 35:17

17 It happened that, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for now you will have another son."

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 Ya`akov called the name of the place where God spoke with him "Beit-El."

16 They journeyed from Beit-El. There was still some distance to come to Efrat, and Rachel travailed. She had hard labor.

17 It happened that, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for now you will have another son."

18 It happened, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni, but his father named him Binyamin.

19 Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Efrat (the same is Beit-Lechem).