Study Desk

The Nephilim were on the earth both in those days and afterward, when the sons of God came to the daughters of mankind, who bore children to them. They were the powerful men of old, the famous men.

Abram’s wife Sarai had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar.

Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to what Sarai said.

For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. This is how the Lord will fulfill to Abraham what he promised him.”

Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they could bear children,

She also said, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne a son for him in his old age.”

Swear to me by God here and now, that you will not break an agreement with me or with my children and descendants. As I have been loyal to you, so you will be loyal to me and to the country where you are a resident alien.”

But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

And she conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then Leah stopped having children.

When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. “Give me sons, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.

Then she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah. Go sleep with her, and she’ll bear children for me so that through her I too can build a family.”

When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took her slave Zilpah and gave her to Jacob as a wife.

Give me my wives and my children that I have worked for, and let me go. You know how hard I have worked for you.”

In fact, all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has said to you.”

So Jacob got up and put his children and wives on the camels.

Then Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters; the sons, my sons; and the flocks, my flocks! Everything you see is mine! But what can I do today for these daughters of mine or for the children they have borne?

Please rescue me from my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children.

Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two slave women.

He put the slaves and their children first, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.

When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?”