Mandrakes

By Genelle Austin-Lett

Categories: Women in the Bible

Question

Rachel is willing to let Leah sleep with Jacob if she'll give her the mandrakes Reuben brings in from the field. The mandrakes must have been awfully important to Rachel. Why the fuss about the mandrakes?

Answer

Gen. 30:14 The mandrake had the reputation of being an aphrodisiac as well as a stimulant to improve fertility. Rachel is childless, so the mere thought of consuming something that would make her fertile is important to her.

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