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It is interesting that it is known as the love apple or the devil’s apple. The ancient Palestinians in the Near East thought mandrakes were an aphrodisiac. Images from The Temple Dictionary of the Bible. Source for illustration and caption information from Myers, R. Leah sold some of the mandrakes that her son Reuben found to Rachel in exchange for uncontested time with Jacob their son Issachar was conceived that night (Gen 30:14–16). The root has long been used in magic rituals due to its shape and psychoactive properties. The parsnip-shaped root contains several different hallucinogenic alkaloids and is often branched, resembling a human figure. All parts of the mandrake plant are poisonous if ingested in sufficient amounts. ‎Mandrake, species name Mandragora officinarum, belongs to the nightshade family. Rachel remained barren for a long time after. In fact God gave Leah two more sons after this incident, Zebulun and Issachar. Sarah used Hagar to get a child when God had already promised one to Abraham. Man (or woman) scheme to get their way when God is sovereignly in control.

No wonder Rachel was hot to get those mandrakes.īut it’s the same old story. Remember, Rachel was barren at that time. Only when God “remembered Rachel” did she bear Joseph ( 30:24).Īh! It’s a fertility plant. Leah, however, produced the children ( Gen. 30:14–16 a barren Rachel bargained with Reuben (Leah’s oldest son) for some mandrakes which he had found. It is often called love apple or devil’s apple. The ancient Near East viewed it as an aphrodisiac and fertility drug. Although not grown for food, its root and berries are edible. Let me look them up.įrom Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary: MANDRAKE Small, perennial plant ( Mandragora officinarum) native to the Middle East. Mandrakes are in the field, so they are likely a plant. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” But she said to her, “Is it a small matter for you to take my husband? And would you take my son’s mandrakes also?” So Rachel said, “Therefore he may sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” When Jacob came in from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must have relations with me, for I have indeed hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night. Now in the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrake fruits in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. It’s a more active form of learning than just passively reading. Asking questions of the text is a way to ask the Spirit, and his ministry will lead you to illumination. Remember, the Spirit is in us to help illuminate the word. Asking questions of the text may help you, too. Then delve further when your reading is finished to learn more about what God has put down in His word. When you read the Bible, allow your mind to ask questions of it as you go.

So what’s so hot about mandrakes? What are mandrakes? Are they valuable? Are they a plant, mineral, or something else? Why did Rachel want them so badly she was willing to give over her precious Jacob to the ‘lesser’ wife for a night in order to obtain them? “Mandrakes! I want those!,” Rachel said, coveting. Rachel ‘bought’ Jacob by trading him to Leah for a night of passion because she wanted Leah’s son Reuben’s mandrakes that Reuben had found and brought to Leah.