Genesis 35:17 — English Explanation
1. “And it came to pass”
The verse begins with the familiar biblical expression “And it came to pass.” It introduces an event that happened within the continuing story of Jacob and his family.
Genesis 35 describes an important period in Jacob’s journey. God had instructed Jacob to go to Bethel, where Jacob built an altar. After these events, the family continued its journey. During that journey, Rachel went into labor.
The phrase reminds the reader that this event was part of a larger story. Rachel’s childbirth did not happen in isolation; it occurred during a significant period in Jacob’s life.
2. “When she was in hard labour”
The expression “hard labour” describes the seriousness and difficulty of Rachel’s childbirth.
Rachel had already experienced the pain and emotional burden of being unable to have children for many years. Earlier in Genesis, she had longed deeply for children. Eventually, she gave birth to Joseph.
Now she was pregnant again, but this childbirth was extremely difficult.
The verse therefore presents a very human scene. Rachel was experiencing physical suffering and uncertainty. The Bible does not hide the reality of difficult circumstances. Instead, it records them honestly.
This part of the verse can remind readers that moments of great importance can sometimes occur alongside intense difficulty. A person may be facing fear, pain, uncertainty, or exhaustion while something significant is taking place.
3. “That the midwife said unto her”
The midwife plays an important role in this short verse. She was present during Rachel’s difficult labor and spoke words of encouragement to her.
The midwife recognized the seriousness of the situation and responded by reassuring Rachel.
Her words demonstrate the importance of encouragement during times of fear. Sometimes a few words spoken at the right moment can provide strength to someone who is experiencing great distress.
The verse does not record a long speech. Instead, the message is short and direct.
4. “Fear not”
These two words are the central words of encouragement in the verse:
“Fear not.”
Rachel was experiencing a frightening and painful situation. The midwife therefore told her not to give herself completely to fear.
The Bible frequently uses the language of “fear not” when people are confronted by circumstances they cannot control. In this particular verse, the words are spoken in the immediate context of childbirth.
This does not mean that Rachel’s physical pain was imaginary or that the situation was easy. Rather, the statement provides reassurance in the middle of a frightening moment.
The message is important because fear can become overwhelming when a person focuses only on the danger immediately in front of them. Encouragement can help someone remain hopeful even when circumstances are difficult.
5. “Thou shalt have this son also”
The midwife then gives Rachel hopeful news:
“Thou shalt have this son also.”
The child being born was Benjamin, Rachel’s second son.
Rachel had previously given birth to Joseph. Therefore, the words “this son also” indicate that another son was being born to her.
This moment is particularly significant because Benjamin would later become an important figure in the history of Israel. He would also become the ancestor associated with the tribe of Benjamin.
Thus, Genesis 35:17 records a moment that is both personal and historically significant.
The Context of Genesis 35:17
To understand Genesis 35:17 more fully, it is helpful to read the surrounding verses.
Genesis 35:16 describes Jacob and his family leaving Bethel and traveling toward Ephrath. During the journey, Rachel went into labor.
Genesis 35:17 then records the midwife’s encouragement.
The following verse records Rachel’s death and the naming of the child:
“And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.” — Genesis 35:18 (KJV)
This makes Genesis 35:17 especially poignant. Rachel was in severe labor, and although the midwife encouraged her regarding the birth of her son, Rachel’s life was nearing its end.
She named the child Benoni, while Jacob called him Benjamin.
Rachel’s death was a painful event for Jacob and the family, but the child survived and became part of the continuing story of God’s people.
What Does Genesis 35:17 Teach?
Hope during difficult circumstances
One of the clearest themes in Genesis 35:17 is hope in a difficult situation.
Rachel was not experiencing an easy moment. She was in hard labor, and the circumstances were serious. Nevertheless, she received words of reassurance.
The verse teaches an important spiritual principle: difficult circumstances do not necessarily mean that hope has disappeared.
The importance of encouragement
The midwife’s words are simple, but they are meaningful:
“Fear not.”
This demonstrates how valuable encouragement can be. People facing difficult circumstances may need someone to speak calmly and compassionately to them.
The verse can therefore encourage readers to become a source of hope for others.
God’s purposes continue through generations
Benjamin’s birth became part of the larger biblical story. The child born during Rachel’s final moments would become the ancestor of the tribe of Benjamin.
This demonstrates how an individual event can have consequences far beyond the immediate circumstances.
The birth of Benjamin was not simply a family event. It became part of the history of Israel.
Pain and hope can exist together
Genesis 35:17 should not be interpreted as saying that faithful people will never experience pain.
Rachel experienced profound physical suffering, and shortly afterward she died.
Instead, the passage shows that pain and hope can exist in the same story. A difficult moment can contain both sorrow and something precious.
That is one reason this verse continues to speak to readers who are going through challenging seasons.
Genesis 35:17 — Detailed Urdu Explanation
مکمل آیت — پیدائش 35:17
“اور جب اسے بچہ جننے میں سخت درد ہوا تو دایہ نے اس سے کہا، خوف نہ کر کیونکہ اب یہ بھی تیرا بیٹا ہے۔”
اوپر اردو مفہوم وضاحتی انداز میں پیش کیا گیا ہے، جبکہ اصل مطلوبہ آیت کا KJV متن یہ ہے:
“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.” — Genesis 35:17 (KJV)
آیت کا پس منظر
پیدائش 35 باب میں یعقوب اور اس کے خاندان کے سفر کا ذکر ملتا ہے۔ اسی سفر کے دوران راخل کو بچے کی پیدائش کا وقت آیا۔ پیدائش کے وقت اسے شدید تکلیف اور مشکل کا سامنا تھا۔
راخل یعقوب کی بیوی تھی اور اس کے ہاں پہلے یوسف پیدا ہو چکے تھے۔ اب وہ دوبارہ حاملہ تھی، لیکن اس مرتبہ ولادت انتہائی مشکل ثابت ہوئی۔
اسی مشکل وقت میں دایہ نے راخل کو تسلی دیتے ہوئے کہا:
“Fear not” — “خوف نہ کر۔”
اس کے بعد دایہ نے امید دلائی:
“Thou shalt have this son also” — “یہ بھی تیرا بیٹا ہوگا۔”
“خوف نہ کر” کا مطلب
اس آیت میں “Fear not” بہت اہم الفاظ ہیں۔
راخل ایک مشکل اور خوفناک صورتحال سے گزر رہی تھی۔ دایہ نے اسے خوف کے حوالے ہونے کے بجائے تسلی اور امید کی بات سنائی۔
یہ ہمیں یاد دلاتا ہے کہ مشکل حالات میں انسان کو حوصلہ دینے والے الفاظ کی ضرورت ہوتی ہے۔ کبھی کبھی مختصر سی تسلی بھی ایک پریشان انسان کے لیے بہت معنی رکھتی ہے۔
راخل کے لیے یہ لمحہ کیوں اہم تھا؟
راخل نے اپنی زندگی میں اولاد کے حوالے سے بہت سی مشکلات دیکھی تھیں۔ یوسف کی پیدائش کے بعد اب ایک اور بیٹا پیدا ہونے والا تھا۔
لیکن یہ خوشی کا لمحہ ایک بڑے غم کے ساتھ بھی جڑا ہوا تھا۔ اگلی آیت بتاتی ہے کہ راخل کی موت ہوگئی۔
اس طرح پیدائش 35:17 میں ایک طرف بچے کی پیدائش کی امید ہے اور دوسری طرف آنے والے غم کا پس منظر موجود ہے۔
یہ انسانی زندگی کی ایک حقیقت کو ظاہر کرتا ہے: بعض اوقات خوشی اور غم ایک ہی وقت میں ایک دوسرے کے بہت قریب ہوتے ہیں۔
بنیامین کی پیدائش
اس بچے کا نام بعد میں بنیامین رکھا گیا۔ پیدائش 35:18 کے مطابق راخل نے اس کا نام بن اونی رکھا، لیکن یعقوب نے اس کا نام بنیامین رکھا۔
بنیامین بعد میں اسرائیل کی تاریخ میں اہم حیثیت رکھتا ہے۔ اس کے نام سے بنیامین کا قبیلہ معروف ہوا۔
اس لیے پیدائش 35:17 صرف ایک بچے کی پیدائش کا ذکر نہیں بلکہ بائبل کی بڑی تاریخی داستان کا ایک اہم حصہ ہے۔
آج کے قاری کے لیے روحانی سبق
پیدائش 35:17 ہمیں یہ سبق دیتی ہے کہ مشکل حالات میں خوف کے بجائے امید اور حوصلے کی بات سننا اہم ہے۔
انسان ہمیشہ حالات کو اپنے اختیار میں نہیں رکھتا۔ بیماری، غم، مشکلات، انتظار اور غیر یقینی حالات زندگی کا حصہ ہوسکتے ہیں۔ لیکن مشکل حالات کے درمیان بھی حوصلہ، ایمان اور امید کو برقرار رکھنے کی ضرورت ہوتی ہے۔
یہ آیت دوسروں کے لیے حوصلہ بننے کی دعوت بھی دیتی ہے۔ جس طرح دایہ نے راخل کو تسلی دی، اسی طرح ہم بھی پریشان لوگوں کے لیے نرم اور امید بھری بات کہہ سکتے ہیں۔