Genesis 35:17

17 When her labor pains were at their worst, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid - you have 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 Jacob dedicated the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel (God's-House).

16 They left Bethel. They were still quite a ways from Ephrath when Rachel went into labor - hard, hard labor.

17 When her labor pains were at their worst, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid - you have another boy."

18 With her last breath, for she was now dying, she named him Ben-oni (Son-of-My-Pain), but his father named him Ben-jamin (Son-of-Good-Fortune).

19 Rachel died and was buried on the road to Ephrath, that is, Bethlehem.