Genesis 30:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, instead of reiterating these points, let us explore the significance of the mandrakes found by Reuben and their equal distribution among the people, as Leah offered some to Rachel, and what the births themselves signify, with the names holding deeper meaning.

Mandrakes grow in fields and resemble apples. Their capability to induce sleep and create a state akin to intoxication for those who consume them is well known; physicians often use the natural properties of mandrakes to help those suffering from insomnia. This points us to the mystery of Christ, who, in a divine sense, submitted to death for our sake (cf. Phil. 2:7) only to rise again. He was God by His nature but became flesh. Where death is understood as sleep, we must also contemplate resurrection. This encapsulates the essence of Christ's mystery. The Apostle Paul admonishes those swayed by false beliefs, stating, “And last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time; for He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:8, 4). Later, he questions, “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:12). After Christ demonstrated that death is merely a sleep (as He is, by nature, life), He opened a path for humanity to bravely confront death. Thus, Paul refers to those who have died as “asleep” (1 Cor. 11:30; 1 Cor. 15:20, 18), indicating that they will be revived through Christ. He also asserted, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:14). Hence, the mandrakes symbolize a vision. The firstborn Reuben discovers them and presents them to his mother, who then shares some with her sister. In this way, the Israelites, as the first recipients, understood the firstborn and grasped the mystery of Christ, bringing their joyful insight to their mother, which is Jerusalem. Before the Gentiles were called, the Divine Disciples were quietly guiding those in Judea. While not all accepted, the word about Christ was accessible to everyone. “Only a remnant” will be saved, as stated in the Scriptures (Rom. 9:27; Is. 10:22). It is evident that the Jews received faith prior to the Gentiles.