When there is particular difficulty regarding a certain interpretation, I may offer some hedging, or I may walk listeners through some of the interpretive options. In so doing, he too will marry into the family of Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, the grandfather of Rebekah, and the great-grandfather of Rachel and Leah. Mark Ward (PhD, Bob Jones University) is Senior Editor for Digital Content at Word by Word, the official Logos blog. Leah will give Rachel the mandrakes in return for a night with Jacob. Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? While Leah and Rachel competed for Jacobs attention, Leah is honored in her death as the first wife of Jacob. That seems logical since a contrast is made with her beautiful sister Rachel. The 66 books of the Bible list is a very handy printable when you read the Bible. PREVIOUS Genesis 29:16 NEXT Genesis 29:18. They felt what they experienced firsthand and were on receiving end themselves. Leah had not conceived for a while, and the plant, whose roots resemble the human body, was thought to be an aid to fertility. StudyLght .org . We get to meet great leaders like David or evil kings such as Solomon in this book that has it all: humor mixed with sadness too! When we look at the beginning of Genesis, it is clear that Leah was not only less attractive than Rachel, but also her father used this, and the fact that the older sister in their culture should marry first as a reason to trick Jacob into marrying his daughter. According to the scriptures, God saw that Leah was "unloved" and opened her womb as consolation. That Leah's eyes were compared to Rachel's beauty obviously meant there was no beauty in them and that Leah herself was probably plain in face and form compared to her sister. She serves him and cares for him dutifully, but it never makes her good enough. Leah then turns to her children, which were seen as symbols of blessing. The Hebrew word is rakkoth could also be translated to tenderhearted. Perhaps she just looked listless, dull? God had a special place in his heart for Leah. In Hebrews 11:17-18 CSB, it says Your (Abrahams) offspring will be called through Isaac.. She may not have been Jacobs choice, but she was chosen by God to play a role in the birth of Savior of the world. Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. Jacob continues to show favoritism toward Rachel, but after Leahs third child is born, Leah seems to have a change of heart. - Genesis 29:17 is a Hebrew pun : The eyes of Weary () were weak. God hearkens to Leah's tears and prayers and allows her to marry Jacob even before Rachel does. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. We can see her dashed hopes because each time she conceives a son with Jacob, she pins her future happiness on them. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. [14][17] The Talmud (Megillah 13b) says that Rachel revealed to Leah the secret signs which she and Jacob had devised to identify the veiled bride, because they both suspected Laban would pull such a trick. In fact, because of Jacob's rejecting her, God took pity on Leah and opened her womb. Both sisters eventually bore Jacob many sons, and Jacobs twelve sons would become the twelve tribes of Israel. She learns to set aside her idols of marriage, children, and family and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances. [18], Leah died some time before Jacob (according to Genesis 49:31). On a homiletical level, the classic Chassidic texts explain the sisters' rivalry as more than marital jealousy. Leah coarsely announces to Jacob that she has hired him with the mandrakes, and Jacob spends the night with her. In a world as troubled as our own, it is no wonder that this aspect of Leah's narrative carries lasting resonance. Leah first appears in the Book of Genesis, in Genesis 29, which describes her as the daughter of Laban and the older sister of Rachel, and is said to not compare to Rachel's physical beauty and that she has tender eyes. God sees your heart and knows your wounds. Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. However, Leah found favour in the eyes of God, He blessed her with children, while Rachel remained barren for a time. Leah's eyes, in their views, were either weak in power or color (Kidner) or in sparkle or fire (Wenham). According to Genesis 28:2,[5] the family resided in Paddan Aram, an area believed to correspond with the historical Upper Mesopotamia.[6]. Thus the Torah describes her eyes as "soft" from weeping. Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob. So, what lessons can we learn from this? Despite her years of worry, disappointment, and feelings that shes not enough, Leah goes on to be the mother of six sons, including one (Judah) named in Christs lineage. Unloved and unwanted, Leah was not only blessed by God with six sons and one daughter. Despite Rachel's infertility, Jacob still favored Rachel over her. - Youngs Literal Bible And Leah's eyes were weak; but Rachel was of beautiful form and fair to look upon. In Samuel 16:7 CSB, when the prophet Samuel anoints David over his older and stronger brothers as God instructs him not to look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Romans 8:28 CSB says, We know all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. God had a specific calling on Leahs life whether Jacob preferred her or not. She lies with all of those ancestors and founders of faith in their final resting place. "Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob." There are hilarious moments and sorrowful events. **ATTENTION: Dear readers, as of late 2022, special-edition Q&A article #1000 is still in development. The oldest daughter of Laban, she was plain looking and may have had poor eyesight, but she was dutiful and virtuous. Leah was the first wife of Jacob and was also the elder sister of his second wife, Rachel, who he loved. Do not close your ears to the needs and hopes of those who may not be beautiful and have physical and emotional bruises. Ive puzzled over this phrase since I was a kid. The women throughout these pages are just as diversified some strong ones who have changed history; others powerless victims whose lives have been forever changed. You know that I have served your father with all my strength,yet your father has cheated me and changed my wagesten times. It is based on the word root Hodaah, connoting Give Thanks, Praise.. Read the Bible; Reading Plans . The Lord saw Leahs rejection and knew what having sons would mean to her and her quest for being loved by her husband. Leah is identified as having "tender eyes." Other translations describe her as weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. -- Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. Through no fault of her own, she was not one of the "beautiful people" and it caused her a lifetime of heartache. I find this quite interesting, dont you? When he met Rachel, he fell in love with her at first sight. She names her first son Reuben. Leah's life as Jacob's wife was distressful. Laban tricked Jacob and had replaced Leah with her older sister Leah. After seven years, the wedding finally arrives, and the veiled bride eventually becomes Jacobs wife. Genesis 30:17-21. Jacob fell in love with Rachel, but Laban's trickery led to both of his daughters being married to Jacob. But I, of course, also turned to that glorious army, the commentators. 20 Then Leah said, "God has presented me with a precious gift. Leah was Jacob's first wife, and the older sister of his second (and favored) wife Rachel. Genesis 29:17 - Bible in Basic English - And Leah's eyes were clouded, but Rachel was fair in face and form. For theLordsees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,but theLordlooks on the heart., But theLordsaid to Samuel,Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. At this point, Rachel is incredibly jealous and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob. Leah is described as having "soft (lovely) eyes" ( Gen 29:17 ). In biblical times, women had little control over their lives. The Bible tells us: "Leah was tender eyed." (Gen.29:17).The NIV says: "Leah had weak eyes.".Different meanings can be derived from these words. 17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. Out by the well, he encounters Laban's younger daughter Rachel tending her father's sheep, and decides to marry her. The Bible is a treasure trove of stories and events from every spectrum. [17], Each woman also continually questioned whether she was doing enough in her personal efforts toward increased spirituality, and would use the other's example to spur herself on. 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. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, Leah is portrayed to be the unloved wife of the biblical patriarch Jacob. 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. She was a matriarch to Jesus Christ. He had seen Rachel and had been impressed that she was the one. Berean Standard Bible Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. The Bible says in Genesis 29:30 that " Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Leahs eyes, in their views, were either weak in power or color (Kidner) or in sparkle or fire (Wenham). Read Genesis (YLT) Read Genesis 29:17 (YLT) in Parallel. Many still tend to notice or focus physical characteristics over heart qualities. 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. Naming her sons tells the spiritual journey of contentment in the Lords provision. God loves us now, and He will love us forever. Used by permission. Leah was buried with fellow women who were not perfect, but worthy of honor because they birthed sons who fulfilled Gods promise to Abraham. The Bible says in Genesis 29:17: Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. What does Scripture mean that Leah was tender eyed? It is a difficult verse at first glance. Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons We Can Learn from Leah in the Bible, 6. [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. 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). Leahs tender heart made her the perfect candidate to fulfill Jacobs First Wife duties by bearing him many sons! 1 Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, went out to see the young women of the land. The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" or similar words, depending on the English translation. God saw that she was unloved and allowed her to conceive. NIV Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. (Physical appearance is irrelevant in Gods eyes. Through writing and speaking opportunities, she is passionate about encouraging others in learning more about the Bible and maturing in their faith. The women in the Bible are just as diverse as the men. 1 The battle between the two sisters comes to a head when Reuben finds mandrakes. I did get at least as far as Genesis 29 as an elementary schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts at Bible reading. Nowarise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, Is thereany portion or inheritance left to us in our fathers house? Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. One day, Leah's firstborn son Reuben returned from the field with mandrakes for his mother. She is the sister of Rachel and the cousin of Jacob. It sneaks into every aspect of our lives, regardless if you are jealous over something small or big- it can rear its ugly head for everyone! As the mother of Judah, Leah was part of the ancestry that led to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. Leahs role in the debacle is unknown. God designed women to be pursued. This is the same spring water his mother Rebekah drew from before she married Isaac. The name "Leah" () means 'weary'. After being unloved and unwanted, Leah was blessed by God with six sons. Leah fell short of the conventional standard of beauty in the ancient world. Her second son she named Simeon (the Lord has heard that I am hated). Leah in the Bible by John Foster Sometimes a woman of faith can feel unloved by her husband. To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. Leahs eyes were weak. What does that mean? Leah's life reminds us that God has given each of us everything we need, physically, to accomplish his purpose for our lives. So lonely was she that even the Lord took notice of it and blessed her with many children as consolation. Leah, the wife of Jacob, experienced this; but God heard her prayers and saw her plight. Can you imagine how adored and treasured that made Rachel feel? There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. Since God created humans, we have looked for validation and belonging from things and people who could never sustain it for us. Genesis 3421st Century King James Version. Later in the story, her words change from a piteous woe is me attitude to what good fortune! and how happy I am!. Should I Read the Bible Like Any Other Book? With the birth of each son, Leah acknowledged the role the Lord held in her life. This cave also houses the graves of Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac and Rebekah.[20]. Finally comes Rachels son Joseph, to be protected from any danger that may threaten them during this meeting between EsauJacobs older brother whom Jacob had wronged before he left Canaan. Leah is a matriarch of her people and of Christ. Leah[a] (/le./; /li/) appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of the two wives of the Biblical patriarch Jacob. Enter your email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q&A articles are posted. Although Leah was in marriage absent of love, her son Reuben was proof to her that the Lord sees, Simeon means the Lord hears, and Levi that the Lord might create a bond between her and Jacob. 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). Many of the stories about Leah in the Bible center around her turbulent relationship with her sister, Rachel, as they are both Jacobs wives. In Leahs story, we can be encouraged that a life redeemed can not occur with the perfect spouse or an abundance of children, but a with a heart that is tender and surrendered to God. She becomes a mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders of the tribes of Israel. Previous Post: The story of Leah in the Bible . Leah gives birth to two more sons after this, Issachar and Zebulun, and to Jacob's only daughter, Dinah. She becomes a mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders of the tribes of Israel. One of those sons was Judah who was listed in Matthew 1 in the genealogy of King. In the time of her trials, Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. Leah writes on her blog at leahlivelyblog.com and just released her second Bible study, 30 Days in Acts A Journey: Igniting the Flame of the Early Church. Jacob loved and desired Rachel so much that he worked for Laban an additional seven years, a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. 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. The chief recommendation of Leah was her soft and beautiful eyes . This book was named from the author who was an eye witness to Jesus's life and ministry. They do indeed take the phrase more literally. By digging into their stories, we can learn so details we may not have realized at first read. 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. Hodaah, connoting give Thanks, Praise.. read the Bible Like Any Book. 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