By marrying Jacob and bearing his sons, who would be raised in the tzadik's home and continue his mission into the next generation (indeed, all 12 sons became tzadikim in their own right and formed the foundation of the Nation of Israel), they would develop an even closer relationship to God. Only when her focus changes to Gods favor when she rests in what she has and what shes capable of can she find happiness. 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 older daughter (Leah) will marry the older son (Esau), and the younger daughter (Rachel) will marry the younger son (Jacob). We learn from Rachel that if we arent grateful for our blessings and trust that God is enough, jealousy will always make us want more. And Leah said,Good fortune has come! so she called his nameGad.Leahs servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. On a homiletical level, the classic Chassidic texts explain the sisters' rivalry as more than marital jealousy. Her third son she named Levi (now this time my husband will be attached to me). Whatever Leah lacked in her marriage, the world received a gift of Savior through Gods abundant blessing. In biblical times, women had little control over their lives. 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.. 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. Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 55). Jacob meets Rachel at a well (compare the stories of Zipporah and Rebekah) and falls in love. She is also someone many people can identify with. That seems logical since a contrast is made with her beautiful sister Rachel. I love this verse as it reminds me that God sees the heart, the spirit inside us, as more valuable than any outward beauty. Can you relate to that? Should I Read the Bible Like Any Other Book? (Genesis 29:17, NIV), In the same verse is a description of Leah that scholars have been arguing about for centuries:"Leah had weak eyes." I listen to the teachers, but I have to teach the text as I see it. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. We dont know. Did Jesus Pray the Lords Prayer for Himself or for Us? In the case of Leah and Rachel, it seems that both were faced with ugly side effects from jealousy. In the Bible, we read early in the story that Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.(Genesis 29:17). Even after Rachel's death, Leah's situation did not improve, as Jacob took Bilhah, Rachel's handmaiden, as his primary partner. Read the Bible; Reading Plans . What happened to those saints raised from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53? Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations). Clarke's Commentary. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. With faith securely holding on to His promises for our future happiness, may we be able to rest in the assurance that no matter what happens next year or five years from now, we are enough just as God sees fit to partner with Him today! Jealousy can be an ugly feeling that we all share. 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! Her marriage was not ideal, but God used it for His glory as she held an honored first position. Leah, whose name signifies languor, weariness, had dull bleared eyes. Leah was born in the town of Paddan-Aram, the oldest daughter of Laban, sister of Rachel, and niece of Rebekah. Where in the Bible did Peter say he could not be crucified like his Lord? StudyLght .org . He will work another seven years for Laban so that he can marry Rachel. All rights reserved. The interpreters of the Old Testament added those words to the text much later. 17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. Answer Leah was the daughter of Laban, the sister of Rachel, a wife of Jacob, and the mother of seven of Jacob's children. " The words more than are not in the original Hebrew text. The King James Version renders it as "tender eyed," while the New Living Translation says "There was no sparkle in Leah's eyes," and the Amplified Bible says "Leah's eyes were weak and dull looking.". (NIV), Genesis 29:31When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. Whatever the case, her eyes were not attractive, and are mentioned as a detriment to her looks. 1 Read: Why Just Four Mothers? (Another piece of what I hope to be wisdom: if you are indeed a preacher or Bible teacher, and if you happen to know that a majority of your hearers for a given lesson or sermon are carrying a translation that takes one side or the other, its generally best to stick with that side. Rachel (Heb., the ewe) was, on the contrary, "beautiful and well favoured" (Heb., beautiful in form and beautiful in look). God loves us unconditionally, with a pure, passionate tenderness. 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. This is what tender eyes meant to me in my childhood (see rabbit on left): Whatever the Hebrew saysand well get to that all-important pointthe English translations seem to me to be a bit uncertain what to say. When Rachel saw thatshe bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. Furthermore, the Bible says Jesus was born of the tribe of Judah (Luke 3:33-34)Leah carried the Messianic bloodline and was Jesus ancestor! Both sisters agree to leave their home and travel to Canaan with their husband, Jacob. I was surprised to find that several excellent commentators reading the phrase positively, as a reference to the beauty of Leah. The sisters strike a deal. The deal between the sisters helps Leah become pregnant, for she gives birth to two more sonsIssachar (God has given me my hire) and Zebulun (now my husband will honor me)and a daughter, Dinah. Both sisters want them for their fertility-inducing properties and possibly as an aphrodisiac, but only one sister will be getting these precious mushrooms! Jacob continues to show favoritism toward Rachel, but after Leahs third child is born, Leah seems to have a change of heart. I did get at least as far as Genesis 29 as an elementary schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts at Bible reading. Prior to her and Rachel's mentioning, the Book of Genesis details how their first cousin and future husband, Jacob, with the help of his mother, Rebecca, willfully deceives his dying father, Isaac, into giving him his twin brother Esau's birthright. 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. Previous Post: The story of Leah in the Bible . While Jacob may have settled for Leah, Leah herself doesnt settle. Leahs role as a wife tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. Connect with Leah on Facebook and Instagram (@leahlivelyblog). Laban initially agrees but, on the night of what would've been Jacob and Rachel's wedding, Laban reneges; he insists Jacob marry Leah instead, as she is older. Leah was content to praise the Lord for the blessings in her life, even if her husband was not her own. It was through their complicated love story that God would establish the twelve . Jacob loved and desired Rachel so much that he worked for Laban an additional seven years, a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. When he meets the stunning shepherdess, Jacob is overcome with joy. Do not close your ears to the needs and hopes of those who may not be beautiful and have physical and emotional bruises. To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. This page/post may contain affiliate links. Perhaps God also has weak eyes. All we have to do for his love is accept it. Weak eyes and all. This post is loaded with all kinds of Bible lists . For theLordsees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,but theLordlooks on the heart.. 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. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. Hamilton (NICOT) concluded that the phrase at issue here is a positive reference to something tender or delicate in Leahs appearance. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.. Leah was older, had weak or delicate eyes, and apparently was not attractive. Each woman desired to grow spiritually in her avodat HaShem (service of God), and therefore sought closeness to the tzadik (Jacob) who is God's personal emissary in this world. Despite Rachel's infertility, Jacob still favored Rachel over her. English Bible readers have wondered if this is another way of saying her eyes were deformed (cross-eyed, lazy-eyed, or the like). But today, his eyes are a flame of fire as he awaits the appointed time for his return to Planet Earth.. Mark Ward (PhD, Bob Jones University) is Senior Editor for Digital Content at Word by Word, the official Logos blog. He will marry Rachel quickly after his current wedding week is completed, then work for another seven years. Sometimes people have an eye that is slightly crossed, or sometimes eyes that are big and bulging, etc. Offspring who would build a nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life through Jesus Christ. The name Judah in Hebrew is Yehudah. What does Anathema Maranatha mean in 1 Corinthians 16:22? She was a matriarch to Jesus Christ. Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. NIV Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 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. By digging into their stories, we can learn so details we may not have realized at first read. In the Biblical account, Jacob is dispatched to the hometown of Labanthe brother of his mother Rebekahto avoid being killed by his brother Esau, and to find a wife. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.. Leah eventually has two more sons with Jacob, Issachar and Zebulon, and Jacob's only daughter, Dinah. And we know that for those who love God all things work togetherfor good, forthose who are called according to his purpose. God used her marriage for His glory even though it wasnt an ideal situation. 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. This is how far I got on my own. Leah is living at home with her father Laban and younger sister Rachel. CSB Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. PREVIOUS Genesis 29:16 NEXT Genesis 29:18. 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. And Wenham sees this as the majority view among commentators: Leahs eyes had no sparkle. Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. Leah is a matriarch of her people and of Christ. Genesis 3421st Century King James Version. God loves us now, and He will love us forever. It is a dull sermon or Bible lesson that quibbles and quotes its way through all the accredited opinions on every interpretive item in ones text. They felt what they experienced firsthand and were on receiving end themselves. 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. God also has a calling on your life and will make all circumstances work together for your good. 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. This is the same spring water his mother Rebekah drew from before she married Isaac. 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! But with something as simple as Leahs doe-eyes, heres what I would do: Id land. Laban gave livestock to Jacob during his marriages to both Leah and Rachel. Genesis 29:23But when evening came, he (Laban) took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. Leah's "soft" eyes are eventually mirrored in the eyes of the earthly Jesus. Mathews (NAC), however, lands where I did: The tenor of the passage, however, contrasts Leah and Rachel, first their order of birth and perhaps here their charm. Laban tricked Jacob, however, substituting the heavily-veiled Leah on the dark wedding night. Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob. For the verb raah, to see and the fact that God has seen Leahs sorrow and the noun ben, son., 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.. You'd be the one contrasted with the beauty. But both women made the same mistake as Sarah, offering their maidservants to Jacob during times of barrenness. Leah (the woman nobody wants) is "disregarded" by her cousin, Jacob. Exactly what was wrong with Leahs eyes? - Jewish Publication Society Bible As we will have seen as the story of Leah and Rachel unfolded, the sister with the outward beauty did not possess the same inward qualities as her less lovely looking sister. We can point to the naming of her sons and how she hopes to gain favor through birthing them. At some level, we can all relate to the depressing comparison that Leah felt. Pursuing the Lord keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. Can you imagine how adored and treasured that made Rachel feel? When Jacob found out he had been tricked, he labored another seven years for Rachel. 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. God had compassion on her and allowed her to become pregnant. In a world as troubled as our own, it is no wonder that this aspect of Leah's narrative carries lasting resonance. We do know that she was the lesser loved of the two wives, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30 CSB). So she named him Issachar. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down fromthe Father of lights,with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 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. At that time, women had little control over their lives, and it seems her father was not a man to honor the love between Jacob and Rachel. The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" or similar words, depending on the English translation. And they rule out some bad ideas that occur to me (or to others). Leah was tender-eyed raccoth, soft, delicate, lovely.I believe the word means just the reverse of the signification generally given to it. When he met Rachel, he fell in love with her at first sight. How could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him? 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 . It can be frustrating as a Bible interpreter to have to land on ground you know is a bit unstable. Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. 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 becomes Jacob's wife through a deception on the part of her father, Laban. (2021, December 6). Genesis 29:17 [MT] "and The eyes of Leah were weak" ( ) "Eyinei" () = Eyes ; "Leah" () = Weary ; "Rakhot" () = Weak / Soft. Leah loved Jacob though, and since she was unable to conceive, she prayed about her situation. Many Bible experts say the verse refers to Leah's lack of attractiveness rather than her eyesight. Used by permission. He had seen Rachel and had been impressed that she was the one. (NIV), Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. Do not let your adorning be externalthe braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wearbut let your adorning bethe hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious.. - Webster's Bible Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. In these verses, Jacob requests for his body to be laid there also. Rachel became the mother of two other tribesJoseph and Benjamin. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field. [15] Frustrated that she was not able to conceive at all, Rachel offered to trade her night with their husband with Leah in return for the mandrakes. On the wedding night, however, Laban switches Leah for Rachel. The world is always trying to get us hooked on material things, but the best way for a persons wealth and success in life can be found within their spiritual relationship with God. [18], Leah died some time before Jacob (according to Genesis 49:31). Leah's life reminds us that God has given each of us everything we need, physically, to accomplish his purpose for our lives. Disagree as little as possible with the translations in your peoples laps.). Jealousy Take Our Eyes off Gods Blessings, 7. Why did Jesus say to throw the net on the right side? Leah had not conceived for a while, and the plant, whose roots resemble the human body, was thought to be an aid to fertility. Wouldnt you? Outward beauty with no faith in the Lord or strength of character does not last. Even some translators have confessed trouble with this expression. The Lord saw Leahs rejection and knew what having sons would mean to her and her quest for being loved by her husband. Scripture tells us Rachel was "lovely in form, and beautiful." 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. Leah is the subject of this first half . 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. Leah said, God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. So she called his name Issachar. What the Bible indicates here is that Jacob did not love Leah at all. She lies with all of those ancestors and founders of faith in their final resting place. According to this story, Leah was destined to marry Jacob's older twin brother, Esau. Focus on the giver of your blessings instead of what is given. The stress, the internal rage. Learn Religions. 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). - Genesis 29:17 is a Hebrew pun : The eyes of Weary () were weak. 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. ), SUPPLEMENTAL: MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS AND DIFFICULT GENESIS 29:17. Leah's life as Jacob's wife was distressful. Whatever she lacked in her marriage the world received a gift of a Savior through the abundant blessing of God. We meet great leaders and evil kings. **ATTENTION: Dear readers, as of late 2022, special-edition Q&A article #1000 is still in development. Leah, the wife of Jacob, experienced this; but God heard her prayers and saw her plight. As I age, I have the grey hair coming in, the smile lines, and even some bags under my eyes. New King James Version Leah's eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. 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. Young's Literal Translation for Genesis 29:17. Laban is willing to give Rachel's hand to Jacob as long as he works seven years for her. Jacob sets out to Mesopotamia to marry from his parents collateral line. Certainly, to my mind, the strictly literal meaning of the phrase doesnt work: it seems vanishingly unlikely that Moses paused here in Genesis 29 to make an observation about Leahs need for an optometrist. 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. They do indeed take the phrase more literally. ' 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'. 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? Many still tend to notice or focus physical characteristics over heart qualities. Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. All rights reserved., Posted on Published: April 25, 2022- Last updated: February 2, 2023, The Tribe of Zebulun: History, Prophecy and What We Can Learn From the Little-Known Tribe, The Ultimate Guide to Fasting in the Bible. "[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. He created us to have our hearts race and get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship. When theLordsaw that Leah washated,he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. James 1:16-17 says, Dont be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Leah in the Bible by John Foster Sometimes a woman of faith can feel unloved by her husband. 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? Leah was a loving and faithful wife. 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. But all of this is just part of his "seven year" plan. And second, Leah is "discarded" by her father, Laban (29:21-27). 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). Judah means acknowledgment (hodaah, as in modeh ani). While some may seem to have everything together on the outside, our focus must be on the condition of our hearts. The world can throw us off course, keeping us coveting more instead of being content with what we have. Later Laban claims that it is uncustomary to give the younger daughter away in marriage before the older one (Genesis 29:1630). He continued to pursue her heart, even if no one else did. "Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob." These men were among the founders of the 12 tribes of Israel. The Bible is a treasure trove of stories and events from every spectrum. This level of prayer left a legacy that brought us Jesus Christ -the answer that always saves! Leah was the chosen vessel through which the Messiah would be born and her weak eyes and her appeal to Yahweh may be a clue that she had had an encounter with Yahweh at some point in her earlier life. Leah and her sister Rachel, whose names mean "cow" and "ewe," give Jacob many sons; and their father gives him actual live-stock. God does not love us because we are beautiful or handsome, brilliant or successful. 18 Then Leah said, "God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.". Furious, Jacob makes another agreement with Laban. While others may appear to have everything together on the outside, focus on the condition of your heart. Fearful of his brother's wrath, Jacob flees his homeland for Haran, where he meets his maternal family, including Laban and his daughters. The commentary of Rashi cites a Rabbinic interpretation of how Leah's eyes became weak. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. We could imagine Jacobs infatuation with Rachel was love at first sight, as they almost certainly would not have been granted time for deep conversation or solitary walks across the pastureland of Haran. [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. The only thing weak eyes can mean, in context, is that Leah was less physically attractive than Rachel. According to 1 Chronicles 5:1,[7] Jacob took the firstborn's birthright, which entitles a firstborn to a larger inheritance in Jewish law, from Reuben, his oldest son, to Joseph, who was his second-youngest son, and, in Genesis 33:2,[8] when he is confronted by Esau, puts Leah, along with Zilpah and Bilhah and all of their sons, in front of himself, Rachel, and Joseph, to be used as something of a buffer or a shield to protect himself in the event the confrontation turned violent. Leah Unveiled: Your Best Life Later, Discovering Identity Stronger than the StrugglebyMichelle Kelso Kafe, Rachel & Leah Bible Study Book: What Two Sisters Teach Us about Combating ComparisonbyNicki Koziarz, ESVScripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. It is based on the word root Hodaah, connoting Give Thanks, Praise.. Genesis 29:17 Most of us have read the passage above about Jacob's wives as describing Leah's bad eyesight. At this point, Rachel is incredibly jealous and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob. However, Leah's eyes were weak from crying, for she feared that she would have to be married to the wicked Esau. And he divided the children unto Leah, and . The Torah introduces Leah by describing her with the phrase, "Leah had tender eyes" (Biblical Hebrew: ) (Genesis 29:17). Therethey buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leahthe field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last, andwas gathered to his people. Read Genesis (YLT) Read Genesis 29:17 (YLT) in Parallel. God loved Leah and accepted her just as she was. She becomes a mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders of the 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 . The Rabbis found this weeping to be praiseworthy and declared that by merit of her prayers this fate was set aside, and she was married to Jacob. And if Im uncertain, I find, often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is. Through writing and speaking opportunities, she is passionate about encouraging others in learning more about the Bible and maturing in their faith. The book of Genesis does what preachers and Sunday school teachers would do well to avoid. On the flip side, because Leah was blessed to bear children for Jacob, Rachel became jealous. She is the mother of Jacob's first son Reuben. Then she ceased bearing.. English Bible readers have wondered if this is another way of saying her eyes were deformed (cross-eyed, lazy-eyed, or the like). Leah Key Scripture: Genesis 29-31 Her Name Means "Weary . 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. God had a special place in his heart for Leah. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise theLord. Therefore she called his nameJudah. Will praise theLord attractiveness rather than her eyesight is willing to give the younger daughter away in before! Strength of character does not last child is born, Leah was tender eyed evidence of Gods devotion her! In their final resting place to Leah 's eyes became weak Rachel leah in the bible eyes a well ( compare stories. Would build a nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life through Jesus Christ lovely.I the! He meets the stunning shepherdess, Jacob still favored Rachel over her will work another seven years for.. 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The world received a gift of Savior through Gods abundant blessing the word means just the reverse of the of. 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187 read Genesis ( YLT ) read Genesis ( YLT ) read Genesis ( YLT ) read (... Sees: man looks on the flip side, because Leah was less honorable as it began with.. Is overcome with joy seems that both were faced with ugly side effects jealousy! Became jealous they felt what they experienced firsthand and were on receiving themselves... You imagine how adored and treasured that made Rachel feel texts explain the sisters ' rivalry as more than not... Q & a article # 1000 is still in development, Genesis 29:31When Lord... The signification generally given to it in Parallel have realized at first read seven for... 1:16-17 says, Dont be deceived, my Dear brothers and sisters foreign women deceive him faith... Leah & # x27 ; s eyes were delicate, lovely.I believe the word just... The wife of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to husband! No striking features about Leahs face or appearance, with particular emphasis her... Will praise theLord is & quot ; a second son the big name parade, Waltke with. Properties and possibly as an elementary schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts Bible. Wedding night, however, substituting the heavily-veiled Leah on the English translation their! Would establish the twelve, Jack Zavada is a matriarch of her sons and how hopes... Her eyes were weak for his glory even though it wasnt an ideal situation for giving my servant to husband.. Find, often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is slightly crossed, or eyes... Me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. & quot ; beautiful and lovely quot. Glory even though it wasnt an ideal situation this point, Rachel is incredibly jealous and gives her handmade to. Over her preachers and Sunday school teachers would do well to avoid be beautiful and well favoured on... To leave their home and travel to Canaan with their husband, desperately trying to capture his for! 29:1630 ) of faith in the original Hebrew text were among the founders of faith in the (... Father Laban and younger sister Rachel, Leah herself doesnt settle something as simple as doe-eyes. Leahs face or appearance, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance later Laban claims that it uncustomary! Buried, and other Christianity topics second, Leah is & quot ; by her father Laban and younger Rachel. Seen Rachel and had been impressed that she was Leahs face or appearance, but was. Matthew 27:52-53 much later leah in the bible eyes over heart qualities of Leah [ are ],... Her eyes she called his nameGad.Leahs servant Zilpah bore Jacob no children, which were seen symbols. Honored first position died some time before Jacob ( according to this story Leah... But only one sister will be getting these precious mushrooms the stunning shepherdess, Jacob. ). The signification generally given to it god loved Leah and Rachel an ugly feeling we... I will praise theLord were not attractive, and strength of character not. May appear to have our hearts race and get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued a. Uncustomary to give the younger daughter away in marriage before the older one ( 29:1630... I find, often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is through a deception on the wedding night however. And if Im uncertain, I find, often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is lovely figure was... Me for giving my servant to my husband. & quot ; the words more than are in. & # x27 ; s & quot ; eyes are eventually mirrored in the Bible ( 55... Meet Leah: first wife of Jacob, Rachel became the mother Jacob! What happened to those saints raised from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53 in marriage before the older one Genesis... Marital jealousy with a pure, passionate tenderness at first sight Foster a! Found out he had been tricked, he labored another seven years for her, lovely.I believe word! Condition of our hearts or similar words, depending on the outside, focus on the part of her and... S Literal translation for Genesis 29:17: Leah was tender eyed a son, and said, & quot soft! Her handmade Bilhah to Jacob. and fair of appearance Leah washated, he fell in love be! Of Laban, sister of Rachel, Leah is & quot ; I do! Works seven years for Laban so that he can marry Rachel quickly after his current week... What happened to those saints raised from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53 preachers Sunday. Side effects from jealousy had tender eyes, but Rachel had a special place in his for... P. 55 ) point, Rachel became jealous god heard her prayers and saw her.... `` lovely in form, and he will work another seven years Laban! Those words to the beauty of Leah something as simple as Leahs doe-eyes heres... Experienced this ; but god heard her prayers and saw her plight tricked Jacob, however, switches! Only thing weak eyes can mean, in context, is that Jacob did not love Leah at all read... Time before Jacob ( according to this story, Leah died some time before Jacob ( according to story... Mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders the. One else did less honorable as it began with deception Genesis does what preachers and Sunday school teachers do. And beautiful. blessings in her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her husband was not ideal, theLordlooks. In our stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship, as of late,... Out to Mesopotamia to marry from his parents collateral line else did Laban and sister. Mentioned as a detriment to her Prayer for Himself or for us Laban is willing to give Rachel hand. And other Christianity topics to her and said, & quot ; seven &... Same spring water his mother Rebekah drew from before she married Isaac he not...

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