Genesis 35:17

17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.”

Genesis 35:17 in Other Translations

17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, "Do not fear, for you have another son."

17 After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!”

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

17 During her difficult labor, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for this is another son for you."

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 called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.

16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty.

17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.”

18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.

19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 38:28; Exodus 1:15
• 2. S Genesis 30:24