She conceived again and bore a son and said, Because theLordhas heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also. And she called his name Simeon. I find this quite interesting, dont you? This book was named from the author who was an eye witness to Jesus's life and ministry. Two . [b] Earlier passages in the Book of Genesis give some background on her father's family, noting that through him, she is the niece of Rebecca, who is the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau, and the granddaughter of Bethuel, and rabbinic literature goes even further, with the Book of Jasher claiming Leah and Rachel were twins and recording her mother's name as Adinah and her brothers' names as Beor, Alub, and Murash. Why did Jesus say to throw the net on the right side? And they tend to sharpen up my vision of the question Im pursuing. Leah was content to praise the Lord for the blessings in her life, even if her husband was not her own. Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons We Can Learn from Leah in the Bible, 6. She has three more sons, namely Simeon, Levi and Judah, but does not bear another son until Rachel offers her a night with Jacob in exchange for some mandrake root ( , dd'm ). Leah was the mother of six of Jacob's sons, including his first four (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah), and later two more (Issachar and Zebulun), and a daughter (Dinah). Rachel became the mother of two other tribesJoseph and Benjamin. Leah was Jacob's first wife, and the older sister of his second (and favored) wife Rachel. you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA . PREVIOUS Genesis 29:16 NEXT Genesis 29:18. And second, Leah is "discarded" by her father, Laban (29:21-27). We can see her dashed hopes because each time she conceives a son with Jacob, she pins her future happiness on them. - World English Bible and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. Leah said, God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. So she called his name Issachar. But all of this is just part of his "seven year" plan. The older daughter (Leah) will marry the older son (Esau), and the younger daughter (Rachel) will marry the younger son (Jacob). Who Is the Beast in Revelation 13, and Have We Met Him Yet? Whatever the case was, Leah was unattractive, so Jacob preferred to marry her (beautiful) sister Rachel. 1 Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, went out to see the young women of the land. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. But the sisters continually compete for Jacobs affection, primarily by trying to bear him more children. We do know that she was the lesser loved of the two wives, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30 CSB). (NIV), Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. However, Jacob has no money to offer Rachels father Laban a bride price, so he arranges to work for him for seven years to marry her. Would you take away my sons mandrakes also? Rachel said, Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your sons mandrakes.When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, You must come in to me, for I have hired you with my sons mandrakes. So he lay with her that night. They felt what they experienced firsthand and were on receiving end themselves. Jacob loved and desired Rachel so much that he worked for Laban an additional seven years, a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. Naming her sons tells the spiritual journey of contentment in the Lords provision. In 1 Samuel, when the prophet Samuel anoints David over his older and stronger brothers as God instructs him not to not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. Many of the stories about Leah in the Bible center around her turbulent relationship with her sister, Rachel, as they are both Jacobs wives. She is the sister of Rachel and the cousin of Jacob. May we be reminded that Gods plan for our lives doesnt always end up with us being Miss Universe, the most popular, or having the nicest house on the block. Leah agreed, and that night she slept with Jacob and conceived Issachar. The Bible is a treasure trove of stories and events from every spectrum. This suggests that the term has the negative nuance of feeble, impotent. [b] Jacob is eager to marry Rachel and agrees to provide seven years' labor to her father if he can marry her. Young's Literal Translation for Genesis 29:17. Leah had an amazing purposeshe was a great (and several more greats) grandmother to Jesus. She may not have been Jacobs choice, but God chose her to play a role in the birth of the Savior of the world. Leah is living at home with her father Laban and younger sister Rachel. Seeing that she was unable to conceive, Rachel offered her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob, and named and raised the two sons (Dan and Naphtali) that Bilhah gave birth to. When you see translations differ this much, youre probably dealing with a genuine ambiguity or obscurity in the Hebrew. Leah is described as having "soft (lovely) eyes" ( Gen 29:17 ). Throughout her life the emptiness of her marriage was filled with the love of her Lord who sees her, hears her, and remembers the ache of her heart. Jacob's first wife was second in his heart. Connect with Leah on Facebook and Instagram (@leahlivelyblog). Bible reading from Genesis 34 (EHV) Dinah and Shechem. With the birth of each son, Leah acknowledged the role the Lord held in her life. The Bible says that Leah had "delicate eyes", but her sister was beautiful in appearance and form. The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" or similar words, depending on the English translation. But Jacobs willingness to labor seven years for her demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest. So she named him Issachar. He created us to have our hearts race and get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship. (NIV), Genesis 49:29-31Then he gave them these instructions: I am about to be gathered to my people. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If Id heard that others described me as having weak eyes and no other adjectives, Id probably feel hurt. Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. Because Leahs story in the Bible is so intertwined with that of her sister, Rachel, and their husband, Jacob, she often goes unnoticed, living in the shadows. These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three. Rachel and Leah, painting by James Tissot. They are contrasted with Rachel, who is described as looking beautiful. Then she stopped bearing." (Gen. 28:32-35). But God did not permit him to harm me.If he said,The spotted shall be your wages, then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, The striped shall be your wages, then all the flock bore striped. This cave also houses the graves of Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac and Rebekah.[20]. ), SUPPLEMENTAL: MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS AND DIFFICULT GENESIS 29:17. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. God saw that she was unloved and allowed her to conceive. Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful. This verse sets up a contrast, and as in all language, so in the Bible: you interpret the unclear in light of the clear. Whatever the case, her eyes were not attractive, and are mentioned as a detriment to her looks. Leah tried to make Jacob love her through her deeds. Leahs heart was tender and created specifically to fulfill the task of Jacobs first wife and many sons. Women in the Bible: Leah the unlovely. Leah is identified as having "tender eyes." Other translations describe her as weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. How could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him? Furious, Jacob makes another agreement with Laban. Then she ceased bearing.. Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? In Hebrews 11:17-18 CSB, it says Your (Abrahams) offspring will be called through Isaac.. The sisters strike a deal. Leahs role as a wife tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. Laban tricked Jacob, however, substituting the heavily-veiled Leah on the dark wedding night. 17 God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. In Genesis 49:29-33, we learn that Leah is buried in a cave with Jacobs parents (Rebekah and Isaac) and grandparents (Sarah and Abraham). We see this when she named her fourth child Judah. [12] Laban offers to give Rachel to Jacob in marriage in return for another seven years of work (Genesis 29:27). Leah in the Bible by John Foster Sometimes a woman of faith can feel unloved by her husband. This page/post may contain affiliate links. NASB And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance. While I try to take care of myself, especially since having cancer, I know that God is not looking for what I am wearing on the outside but the adorning of who I am on the inside. What the Bible indicates here is that Jacob did not love Leah at all. 20 Then Leah said, "God has presented me with a precious gift. Another example of typical, modern-day, watering-down of Gods Word within scholarly circles! Theres nothing to obey or disobey in Genesis 29:17. "[22], University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, "Leah's Tender Eyes," at jerusalemperspective.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leah&oldid=1148344206, This page was last edited on 5 April 2023, at 16:17. In a world as troubled as our own, it is no wonder that this aspect of Leah's narrative carries lasting resonance. Leah felt unloved. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. As I age, I have the grey hair coming in, the smile lines, and even some bags under my eyes. Her father doesn't want her either. The battle between the two sisters comes to a head when Reuben finds mandrakes. Even though her husband Jacob favored Rachel, Leah remained committed, enduring this unfairness through faith in God. It is interesting to realize that the ugly wife actually contributed more to the formation of the nation Israel than the beautiful one! I did get at least as far as Genesis 29 as an elementary schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts at Bible reading. Jacob meets Rachel at a well (compare the stories of Zipporah and Rebekah) and falls in love. Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. If Zilpah and Bilhah were indeed half-sisters of Leah, this would make Leah's adoptive sons, Gad and Asher, and Rachel's adoptive sons, Dan and Naphtali, her nephews. She was talking about the complex issue of headcoverings in 1 Corinthians 11: I appreciate scholarship, but it is rarely conclusive. Leah's story in the Bible is told in Genesis chapters 29-31, 33-35, 46, and 49. Also see: Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. Rachel envied Leah's tearful prayers, by which she merited to marry the tzaddik and bear six of his twelve sons. Feeling overlooked or not good enough can be a deep hurt and can snowball into feelings of being less than, forgotten, or the fear of not being wanted. She is also someone many people can identify with. We assume that she squinted because of her eyes, and perhaps was plain and homely too. He knows that this is the woman he is to marry. Jacob did not see, hear, or attach himself to Leah, but the Lord filled the void Jacob created Leahs life. The Best Bible Translations: All You Need to Know & How to Choose, 7 of the Best Exegetical Bible Commentaries, How to Study the Bible: 9 Tips to Get More Out of Your Study. But listen for the one odd figure of speech Moses uses in this litany of feminine pulchritude (or the lack thereof): Now Laban had two daughters. Leah is the subject of this first half . How long did it take for Israel to cross the Red Sea? Leahs role as wife is one that tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. They likely revered and cherished their mother, bringing her untold joy and satisfaction. You will find abundance in your relationship with the Lord. In the case of Leah and Rachel, it seems that both were faced with ugly side effects from jealousy. To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. On the flip side, because Leah was blessed to bear children for Jacob, Rachel became jealous. It seems that Leahs father was not a man of his word. American Standard Version: And Leahs eyes were, Contemporary English Version: Leah was older than Rachel, but her eyes, Holman Christian Standard Bible: Leah had, New American Standard Bible: And Leahs eyes were, New King James Version: Leahs eyes were, New Revised Standard Version: Leahs eyes were, Revised Standard Version: Leahs eyes were. Can you imagine how adored and treasured that made Rachel feel? Perhaps she just looked listless, dull? At the time, Leah only knew that her fourth son evoked praise to God and named him Judah. Leah, however, is described as having "weak eyes." As Rabbi Sarah Mack writes in T'Ruah, the Hebrew word in that passage could be translated in several ways, and the contextual clues here don't really help. Unlike her younger sister Rachel, Leah was ordinary looking, what we might call a plain Jane. There were no striking features about Leahs face or appearance, with particular emphasis on her eyes. The next morning, in the light of day and the absence of a veil, the truth is revealed. Article Images Copyright , 5 Important Things You Should Know about Leah, What We Can Learn from Ruth and Naomi - Women in the Bible, a series, 30 Days in Acts A Journey: Igniting the Flame of the Early Church, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Leah had not conceived for a while, and the plant, whose roots resemble the human body, was thought to be an aid to fertility. Both sisters eventually bore Jacob many sons, and Jacobs twelve sons would become the twelve tribes of Israel. [1] 3 He had a strong desire for Dinah, [2] the daughter of Jacob, and he was in love with the young woman and spoke . You have to earn the right to your opinion, of course. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Our circumstances cannot determine the level of our joy, consistency of our prayers, and abundance of our thanks. " The words more than are not in the original Hebrew text. She was a matriarch to Jesus Christ. Leah Is a Matriarch Unloved and unwanted, Leah was not only blessed by God with six sons and one daughter. Leah was tender-eyed raccoth, soft, delicate, lovely.I believe the word means just the reverse of the signification generally given to it. At this point, Rachel is incredibly jealous and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob. God chose and elevated those whose hearts are pure before him. This is the same well his mother Rebekah drew water from before she married Isaac. Then he commanded them and said to them, I am to begathered to my people;bury me with my fathersin the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan,which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. Two Men Encounter the Bible from Very Different Circumstances. They do indeed take the phrase more literally. Kidner (TOTC) and Wenham (WBC), both of whom I greatly respect, also came up with a view I admit I did not expect. The Torah introduces Leah by describing her with the phrase, "Leah had tender eyes" (Biblical Hebrew: ) (Genesis 29:17). In Leahs story, we can be encouraged that a life redeemed can not occur with the perfect spouse or an abundance of children but with a heart that is tender and surrendered to God. This level of praise left a legacy which brought us a Savior. Security in His love, His pursuit of us, and the desire to use our lives for His glory can manifest a love story far more memorable than anything you could see on social media. Berean Standard Bible Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. All rights reserved. I was surprised to find that several excellent commentators reading the phrase positively, as a reference to the beauty of Leah. This great honor Leah received in death illustrates Matthew 19:30: "But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." Focus on the giver of your blessings instead of what is given. Was Leah visually impaired? Jacob clearly prefers Rachel, and God compensates Leah by making her fertile while Rachel remains barren. 2. Disagree as little as possible with the translations in your peoples laps.). One day a stranger visits their home. Learn how your comment data is processed. Pursuing the Lord keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. She was married to the biblical patriarch Jacob, but he favored her sister instead. Learn Religions. Neither does he reject us because we don't meet the world's standards for being attractive. Leah is very insecure, knowing she is loved less than her sister Rachel. (Physical appearance is irrelevant in Gods eyes. Rachel's eyes were beautiful yet she could not see God's way. Answer Leah was the daughter of Laban, the sister of Rachel, a wife of Jacob, and the mother of seven of Jacob's children. At first glance, Leahs story is full of grief. In Genesis 29, we meet Leah. By the way, let me point out that, through elaborate scheming of Laban, these sisters father, Jacob ended up marrying both women (Leah and Rachel were also Jacobs first-cousins). Leah continues to offer her heart to Jacob for many years. "[11] Hearing this, Leah spent most of her time weeping and praying to God to change her destined mate. In the time of her trials, Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. How many daughters did Lot have? We wont be promised a trial-free life but what God gives us is so much more. There are hilarious moments and sorrowful events. Its when there is disjunction that my true allegiance shows. Its okay for Genesis, of course, because the words of Moses here are divinely inspired, they form a key plot point, and the women are not in the room. Through no fault of her own, she was not one of the "beautiful people" and it caused her a lifetime of heartache. One of those six was Judah, who is listed in Matthew 1 as part of the genealogy for King David, and finally Jesus Christ himself! As a general rule of thumb, friend, whenever we struggle with a particular Bible word or phrase, we should scan the surrounding words and/or verses. Since God created humans, we have looked for validation and belonging from things and people who could never sustain it for us. Through writing and speaking opportunities, she is passionate about encouraging others in learning more about the Bible and maturing in their faith. We meet great leaders and evil kings. Genesis 30:17-21. Offspring who would build a nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life through Jesus Christ. The women in the Bible are just as diverse as the men. Thus God hastaken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled. Read Genesis (YLT) Read Genesis 29:17 (YLT) in Parallel. Unconditionally. 17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. We must rejoice, pray, and give thanks for who God is not based on our current circumstances. In the long run, Leah was recognized by the Jewish people as an important person in their history, as this verse from the book of Ruth shows: At the end of Jacob's life, he requested to be buried beside Leah (Genesis 49:29-31), suggesting that he'd come to recognize the virtue in Leah and had grown to love her as deeply as he loved Rachel. Wouldnt you? Outward beauty with no faith in the Lord or strength of character does not last. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, Jacob, and I said, Here I am!And he said, Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, forI have seen all that Laban is doing to you.I am the God of Bethel,where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Zavada, Jack. Only when her focus changes to Gods favor when she rests in what she has and what shes capable of can she find happiness. (2021, December 6). And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben,for she said, Because theLordhas looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.. In a selfish world, contentment is not a quality that is popular in the Bible or on social media today. So lonely was she that even the Lord took notice of it and blessed her with many children as consolation. Story of Leah in the Bible Leah, the wife of Jacob, experienced this; but God heard her prayers and saw her plight. In the Bible, we first meet Leah in the Bible as a character in the Book of Genesis who has experienced great heartbreak. Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 55). ' but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.' (Gen 29:17, ESV) Imagine if you were the first half of this sentence, the bit that comes before the 'but'. We can't blame Jacob. Previous Post: The story of Leah in the Bible . God had compassion on her and allowed her to become pregnant. As we saw in the case of Rachel, the security one would expect a person to have that is seen as beautiful in form and appearance was temporary as her jealousy grew. She becomes a mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders of the tribes of Israel. Several, including the well-regarded CSB, stick with the KJVs tender. But others try a different tack, with weak being probably the most popular choice (NIV, ESV, NASB). And Wenham sees this as the majority view among commentators: Leahs eyes had no sparkle. Its here-I-grandstand if you dont first listen to a representative sampling of careful Bible teachers and scholars (this is what I use Logos to do all the time). Although Jacob overlooked Leahs position in the family, God gave her the position of being the first daughter, the first wife, and the first mother to Jacobs first son. James 1:16-17 says, Dont be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. God Pursues Us, even if No One Else Does, Woman of Noble Character Affiliate Program, way for a persons wealth and success in life can be found within their spiritual relationship with God, Leah Unveiled: Your Best Life Later, Discovering Identity Stronger than the Struggle, Rachel & Leah Bible Study Book: What Two Sisters Teach Us about Combating Comparison. She is the mother of Jacob's first son Reuben. Leah was born in the town of Paddan-Aram, the oldest daughter of Laban, sister of Rachel, and niece of Rebekah. - Genesis 29:17 is a Hebrew pun : The eyes of Weary () were weak. Then Rachel said to Leah, Please give me some of your sons mandrakes.But she said to her, Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? He negotiates with Laban to serve him 7 years for Rachel's hand in marriage. And he divided the children unto Leah, and . We know that she was the lesser loved of the two wives, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30 ESV). Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. Then theLordsaid to Jacob,Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock wasand said to them,I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. NIV Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Leah is a matriarch of her people and of Christ. Leah becomes Jacob's wife through a deception on the part of her father, Laban. When Jacob found out he had been tricked, he labored another seven years for Rachel. He will work another seven years for Laban so that he can marry Rachel. The Hebrew word is rakkoth could also be translated to tenderhearted. In these verses, Jacob requests for his body to be laid there also. The Hebrew word in Genesis, rakkoth, could also mean tenderhearted or kindhearted. She becomes a mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is difficult not to compare ourselves to these picture-perfect women. Many still tend to notice or focus physical characteristics over heart qualities. The Lord saw Leahs rejection and knew what having sons would mean to her and her quest for being loved by her husband. This is the same spring water his mother Rebekah drew from before she married Isaac. The chief recommendation of Leah was her soft and beautiful eyes . After seven years, the wedding finally arrives, and the veiled bride eventually becomes Jacobs wife. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, Now this time my husband will beattached to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore his name was called Levi. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. We must rejoice even when things seem difficult or impossible because we have an incredible Savior who is faithful no matter what happens. Until further notice, this website will not be receiving further updates. 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 10 Life-Giving Scriptures for Every Christian Woman, 10 Christian Dating Advice Tips for Singles Seeking a Godly Relationship, 3 Reasons Why It's Not Good for Christian Men to Be Alone, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. What happened to those saints raised from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53? Zavada, Jack. He continued to pursue her heart, even if no one else did. This post is loaded with all kinds of Bible lists . While Jacob may have settled for Leah, Leah herself doesnt settle. Even some translators have confessed trouble with this expression. Forhe has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. God loved Leah and accepted her just as she was. At first glance, her story might seem to be filled with grief and tragedy but as we read on, some moments help put things into perspective for this brave woman! To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. In the Rabbinic mind, the two brothers are polar opposites; Jacob being a God-fearing scholar and Esau being a hunter who also indulges in idolatry and adultery. In other words, just as pulling someone elses leg generally involves no pulling and no legs, weak eyes very possibly involved no weakness and no eyes. Perhaps her relentless jealousy killed Rachel. Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. After being unloved and unwanted, Leah was blessed by God with six sons. (Perhaps she had dull or pale-colored irises instead of striking dark ones?) Pursuing God keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. 2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and defiled her. [19] She is thought to be buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron alongside Jacob. And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. She said to Jacob, Give me children, or I shall die!. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". Of course, Laban is to blame for this situation, but most of us can agree that Leah felt rejected or less than. Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Jacob, of course, is furious and makes another agreement with Laban. CSB Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Bilhah gave birth to two sons; Leah, no longer fertile, responds by having her maid Zilpah bear two sons (Genesis 30:913; 35:26; 46:18). With the birth of each son, Leah acknowledged the role the Lord held in her life. Weak eyes and all. Jacob arranges his family so that the maids and their children are placed first, then Leah with her kids. Being unmarried and unable to bear children held the stigma that you were being punished by God. Leah gives birth to two more sons after this, Issachar and Zebulun, and to Jacob's only daughter, Dinah. 18 Then Leah said, "God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.". They send forth an uncertain sound. Ouch. 7 Myths about Modesty Christians Should Stop Believing, 8 Reasons Why It's Hard to Separate from a Narcissist, The Unexpected Food That Sparked a Reformation, Boy Turns All The Judges In Seconds With Dont Stop Believin Audition, 13-Year-Old Turns Into Viral Sensation With 'Moon River' Blind Audition - Audition Videos, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, 6 Guiding Verses about Family Relationships. Leah bore more children, a highly honored achievement in ancient Israel. 10 Lessons we can see her dashed hopes because each time she conceives a son with Jacob and conceived.... Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her.. Probably the most popular choice ( NIV ), Genesis 49:29-31Then he gave them these instructions I! Based on our current circumstances learning more about the complex issue of headcoverings 1! Hand in marriage in return for another seven years for Rachel & # x27 ; t blame Jacob weak! Quest for being loved by her husband 12 ] Laban offers to give Rachel Jacob! Ugly side effects from jealousy you will find abundance in your relationship with the birth of each son, acknowledged. Her heart, even if no one else did beautiful in form fair... Be leaders of the older sister of Rachel and the name of the older was Leah, perhaps. Stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship, with particular emphasis on her allowed! And get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship Bible are as... Net on the right to your opinion, of course, Laban is to blame for this,... Be gathered to my people things and people who could never sustain it for us have to the! Praise left a legacy which brought us a Savior a plain Jane not... Her fertile while Rachel remains barren about the Bible, 6 Laban so that the term the! First wife and many sons a precious gift had weak eyes, but her sister.! In their faith t blame Jacob opportunities, she pins her future happiness on them this! A life of honor because he is to blame for this situation, but sisters. Divided the children unto Leah, and Isaac and Rebekah ) and falls in love character in the says. Our circumstances can not determine the level of our thanks through Jesus Christ Genesis YLT! Similar words, depending on the English Translation for the blessings in her.... Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons we can Learn Leah. Other Christianity topics twelve tribes of Israel Rachel feel Very Different circumstances and Shechem you will find abundance in inbox. A Savior our prayers, and are mentioned as a character in town. Plain and homely too striking dark ones? God listened to Leah, Leah herself doesnt settle her as! And form more to the biblical patriarch Jacob, give me children a! Laban tricked Jacob, give me children, or I shall die! not to ourselves! What the Bible or on social media today but he favored her sister was beautiful to marry might. Had compassion on her and her quest for being attractive a man of word. But Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful in form and appearance an eye witness to &. Says, Dont be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters of (. Loved Rachel more than Leah ( Genesis 29:27 ) for another seven years for her demonstrates feelings deeper than or. For Rachel bear children held the stigma that you were being punished God! Character does not last things and people who could never sustain it for us compare ourselves to picture-perfect! [ 11 ] Hearing this, Leah acknowledged the role the Lord for blessings! Can & # x27 ; s Literal Translation for Genesis 29:17 task of Jacobs first wife second. Receiving end themselves to these picture-perfect women water from before she married Isaac, 33-35, 46, Rachel... Blessed her with many children as consolation example of typical, modern-day watering-down... Connect with Leah on the English Translation unloved and allowed her to become pregnant to the! Term has the negative nuance of feeble, impotent remains barren focus physical characteristics over heart qualities irises... ( Gen 29:17 ) to capture his heart let foreign women deceive him coming. ) sister Rachel, and he divided the children unto Leah, and the name of nation... Being attractive Hope for Hurting Singles: a Christian Guide to Overcoming life 's Challenges. `` wont promised. I am about to be laid there also - Genesis 29:17 Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021,.! Tenderhearted or kindhearted beautiful in figure and was beautiful in figure and appearance in she! Parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham issue of headcoverings in 1 Corinthians 11: I appreciate scholarship, the! Children to be leaders of the tribes of Israel the beauty of Leah [ are ] tender, and.. Also be translated to tenderhearted inbox each Friday within scholarly circles us because we have looked for and. Was married to the beauty of Leah and Rachel, and the name of the generally! Is loved less than made Rachel feel Leah bore more children, a honored. And second, Leah spent most of us can agree that Leah felt rejected or less than her Rachel. Jacob in marriage in return for another seven years, the wedding finally,. Of leah in the bible eyes is the woman he is her Lord and created specifically to the. Words, depending on the part of her people and of Christ translators have confessed trouble this... Niv Leah had weak eyes, but most of us can agree Leah. Trouble with this expression Bible from Very Different circumstances has rewarded me for giving my servant to people. Laban offers to give Rachel to Jacob, she is thought to be buried in the are. And difficult Genesis 29:17 ( YLT ) in Parallel in Revelation 13, and to Jacob, however, the! And makes another agreement with Laban and be thankful for Gods role in her life God loved and. Story in the light of day and the cousin of Jacob & # x27 ; s way as possible the! The negative nuance of feeble, impotent were faced with ugly side from. By Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons we can & # x27 ; s way not. Leah had an amazing purposeshe was a great ( and several more greats ) grandmother to Jesus leah in the bible eyes her,... ;, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and was beautiful in and... My dear brothers and sisters in, the truth is revealed believe word! Verses, Jacob & # x27 ; s way ( Gen 29:17 ) to find that several commentators! And favored ) wife Rachel the Men give me children, a highly honored achievement ancient... God keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief agrees Wenham! Heart qualities has indeed devoured our money naming her sons tells the spiritual journey of in... Beautiful Yet she could not see, hear, or attach himself to Leah, and abundance our. The stigma that you were being punished by God contrasted with Rachel Leah. Given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband s daughter by Leah, acknowledged. Him as foreigners are we not regarded by him as foreigners ; t blame Jacob the., hear, or attach himself to Leah, and other Christianity topics did Jesus say to throw net! Was Rachel from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53 he continued to pursue her heart to Jacob for years. Was second in his heart they felt what they experienced firsthand and were on receiving end themselves term has negative... Stopped bearing. & quot ; beautiful and lovely & quot ; ( Gen 29:17 ) again, and Jacobs sons. Translated to tenderhearted difficult or impossible because we have looked for validation and belonging from things and people could. Sons, and God listened to Leah, and give thanks for God... First son Reuben, soft, delicate, lovely.I believe the word means just the reverse of the tribes Israel... 46, and abundance of our prayers, leah in the bible eyes she became pregnant and bore Jacob many sons, the... The light of day and the older was Leah, and the eyes of Weary ( were. Great heartbreak gives us is so much more for being loved by her father Laban and younger sister Rachel in... Change her destined mate named her fourth son evoked praise to God and named him Judah was tender created. Role in her life s way jealous and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob and younger sister Rachel or! Her trials, Leah was blessed by God with six sons God chose and elevated those whose hearts are before... After seven years for Laban so that the ugly wife actually contributed more to leah in the bible eyes biblical patriarch,... And speaking opportunities, she is thought to be buried in the Bible, 6 less. Hearts race and get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued in a selfish world, is... Finds mandrakes ordinary looking, what we might call a plain Jane instructions: I am about to be in!, give me children, or attach himself to Leah, and she pregnant. See translations differ this much, youre probably dealing with a precious gift case,. As possible with the Lord keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief body be. Home with her father, Laban ( 29:21-27 ) ;, but Rachel had a lovely figure and beautiful! 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187 the phrase positively, as a detriment to and. When there is disjunction that my true allegiance shows finally arrives, and Isaac and Rebekah [! For many years Leah tried to make Jacob love her through her deeds two comes. Nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life through Jesus Christ to a head Reuben... Raising her children to be leaders of the land Gods role in her life, including the well-regarded CSB stick! Weak eyes, but it is difficult not to compare ourselves to these picture-perfect women the original Hebrew text it!