John Calvin Commentary Genesis 30:8

"And Rachel said, With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali." — Genesis 30:8 (ASV)

With great wrestlings Others translate it, “I am joined with the joinings of God;” as if she exulted in having recovered what she had lost, or certainly, in having obtained an equal degree of honor with her sister. Others render it, “I am doubled with the duplications of God.”

But both derive the noun and the verb from the root פתל (patal), which signifies a twisted thread. The former of these senses means this: that since Rachel has attained a condition equal to that of her sister, there is no reason why her sister should claim any superiority over her.

But the latter sense expresses more confident boasting, since she proclaims herself a conqueror and doubly superior. But a simpler meaning is (in my opinion) adduced by others: namely, that she “wrestled with divine or excellent wrestlings.” For the Hebrews indicate all excellence by adding the name of God; because the more excellent anything is, the more the glory of God shines in it.

But perverse is that boasting with which she glories over her sister, when she ought instead to have humbly implored forgiveness. In Rachel the pride of the human mind is depicted; because those whom God has endowed with his benefits, for the most part, are so elated that they rage scornfully against their neighbors.

Besides, she foolishly prefers herself to her sister in fruitfulness, in which she is still manifestly inferior. But those who are puffed up with pride also have the habit of maliciously belittling those gifts which the Lord has bestowed on others, in comparison with their own smaller gifts.

Perhaps, also, she expected a numerous progeny, as if God were under obligation to her. She did not, as pious persons are accustomed to do, conceive hope from benefits received; but, by a confident presumption of the flesh, made herself sure of everything she wished.

Until now, then, she gave no sign of pious modesty. Why is this, if not because her temporary barrenness had not yet thoroughly subdued her? Therefore, we ought to be all the more careful, lest if God relaxes our punishments, we, being inflated by his kindness, should perish.