Definition: And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son’s mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 30:16 together. It's a really important story about Jacob and his life! Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jacob is struggling: Jacob was having a really hard time. He was feeling lost, disappointed, and overwhelmed with loneliness. Leah offers him a deal: Leah, Jacob’s wife, sees an opportunity. She offers him a deal: "You must come into my house; I've hired you to take care of my son's mandrakes." Mandrakes are a type of vegetable – they were quite large and valuable! The Encounter: Jacob agrees to go with her. Now, let’s unpack the details: “And Jacob came out of the field in the evening…” : This sets the scene - Jacob is leaving his home and venturing into the wilderness. “…and Leah went out to meet him…” : Leah, being a supportive wife, leads him to her house. "...and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son’s mandrakes.” : This is where it gets interesting! She says, "You must come into my house; I've hired you with my son’s mandrakes." She's basically saying she has a big job and needs him to help. “And he lay with her that night.” : This is the pivotal part. Jacob… well, he had sex with Leah. It was a significant event in the story of his life. What’s the Big Takeaway? This verse describes a moment of intense hardship and a crucial turning point in Jacob's life. It highlights: Conflict: He was facing challenges – loneliness, disappointment, and feeling lost. Opportunity: Leah offered him a way to alleviate his problems. Divine Intervention (sort of): It’s a story about God’s plan at work in Jacob's life. He needed this situation to happen for a reason. Important Note: This is just one part of a much larger story about the beginning of Jacob’s journey and his relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Genesis 30? Discuss the significance of this passage in more detail? Answer any specific questions you have about the story?