Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.. These men were among the founders of the 12 tribes of Israel. Can you relate to that? Leah agreed, and that night she slept with Jacob and conceived Issachar. Leahs tender heart made her the perfect candidate to fulfill Jacobs First Wife duties by bearing him many sons! Whatever is said about you, it's not flattering. Leahs eyes were weak. What does that mean? 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. Genesis 33:1 chapter context similar meaning "And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. Weak eyes and all. I did get at least as far as Genesis 29 as an elementary schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts at Bible reading. At some level, we can all relate to the depressing comparison that Leah felt. (Perhaps she had dull or pale-colored irises instead of striking dark ones?) As the mother of Judah, Leah was part of the ancestry that led to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. However, Leah's eyes were weak from crying, for she feared that she would have to be married to the wicked Esau. 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. Leah was content to praise the Lord for the blessings in her life, even if her husband was not her own. He is the author of several books and textbooks including Biblical Worldview: Creation, Fall, Redemption (BJU Press, 2016), Basics for a Biblical Worldview (BJU Press, 2021), and Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible (Lexham Press, 2018), which became a Faithlife infotainment documentary. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. Genesis 3421st Century King James Version. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. 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. The women in the Bible are just as diverse as the men. 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. Jacob arranges his family so that the maids and their children are placed first, then Leah with her kids. Used by permission. The Hebrew word is rakkoth could also be translated to tenderhearted. Answer Leah was the daughter of Laban, the sister of Rachel, a wife of Jacob, and the mother of seven of Jacob's children. 1 Read: Why Just Four Mothers? 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. And if Im uncertain, I find, often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is. Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Jacob arrives in Haran and meets the younger sister, Rachel, at a well. After being unloved and unwanted, Leah was blessed by God with six sons. If not marital love, surely children would complete her. Whatever Leah lacked in her marriage, the world received a gift of Savior through Gods abundant blessing. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.. Today and in biblical times, contentment is not a prevalent quality. It is based on the word root Hodaah, connoting Give Thanks, Praise.. Wouldnt you? 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. Laban is willing to give Rachel's hand to Jacob as long as he works seven years for her. The blessing is received, yet you want more. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Jacob clearly prefers Rachel, and God compensates Leah by making her fertile while Rachel remains barren. [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 words more than are not in the original Hebrew text. May you act worthily inEphrathah andbe renowned in Bethlehem, It is interesting to note that the name Leah in Hebrew means weary or cow while Rachel means ewe., Cows are a great symbol of fertility in Mesopotamia, partially because of the similarity between the words littu, cow, and alittu, birth giver.. (Physical appearance is irrelevant in Gods eyes. Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations). This page/post may contain affiliate links. 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. Leah is living at home with her father Laban and younger sister Rachel. The stress, the internal rage. At the time, Leah only knew that her fourth son evoked praise to God and named him Judah. 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. This is the same well his mother Rebekah drew water from before she married Isaac. This is how far I got on my own. And second, Leah is "discarded" by her father, Laban (29:21-27). Where in the Bible did Peter say he could not be crucified like his Lord? So, he puts on a wedding feast (29:22), making it look as though he is fulfilling his end of the bargain. 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! She said to Jacob, Give me children, or I shall die!. Then she stopped bearing." (Gen. 28:32-35). Instead of pining after Jacob and regarding herself as a disappointment, instead of hoping that her children would bestow worth upon her, with her fourth pregnancy, Leah proclaims, This time I will praise the Lord., The fourth son she names Judah. Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 55). I own hundreds of commentaries, though, because they do answer some questions definitively for me. 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. We first learn that she was unloved and unfavored with a tender heart versus an attractive body. For theLordsees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,but theLordlooks on the heart.. Since God created humans, we have looked for validation and belonging from things and people who could never sustain it for us. Jacob sets out to Mesopotamia to marry from his parents collateral line. Shes buried in a place of honor alongside Jacob, at the site of his ancestors, including Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah. Leah's "soft" eyes are eventually mirrored in the eyes of the earthly Jesus. Leah, whose name signifies languor, weariness, had dull bleared eyes. Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob. Unloved and unwanted, Leah was not only blessed by God with six sons and one daughter. God loves us unconditionally, with a pure, passionate tenderness. [9] It is argued as to whether the adjective "tender" () should be taken to mean "delicate and soft" or "weary".[10]. Id land without telling everybody where Id flown. The Bible does not give us many details about Leah. Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. 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. 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). If she lived today, we might imagine her as an awkward wallflower with thick glasses. At first glance, Leahs story is full of grief. Sometimes people have an eye that is slightly crossed, or sometimes eyes that are big and bulging, etc. While their marriage began with deception, Leah was honored at her death by Jacob. Berean Standard Bible Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Her third son she named Levi (now this time my husband will be attached to me). You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. Leah responded by offering her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob, and named and raised the two sons (Gad and Asher) that Zilpah gave birth to. Laban tricked Jacob, however, substituting the heavily-veiled Leah on the dark wedding night. New King James Version Leah's eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. Bible reading from Genesis 34 (EHV) Dinah and Shechem. God used her marriage for His glory even though it wasnt an ideal situation. Leah fell short of the conventional standard of beauty in the ancient world. The design of the inspired writer is to compare both the sisters together, that the balance may appear to be greatly in favour of Rachel. But I, of course, also turned to that glorious army, the commentators. Focus on the giver of your blessings instead of what is given. 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. 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 . 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). Rabbinical literature contradicts itself on whether or not Leah and Rachel were half-siblings to Zilpah and Bilhah, two sisters who would serve as mistresses to Leah's future husband, Jacob, and whose children she and Rachel would raise as their own, as one source[which?] Rachel envied Leah's tearful prayers, by which she merited to marry the tzaddik and bear six of his twelve sons. 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. James 1:16-17 says, Dont be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 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. Young's Literal Translation for Genesis 29:17. Jacob had eyes only for Rachel and he did not care about Leah. 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. At this point, Rachel is incredibly jealous and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob. Neither does he reject us because we don't meet the world's standards for being attractive. This is the same spring water his mother Rebekah drew from before she married Isaac. Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. And Leah said,Good fortune has come! so she called his nameGad.Leahs servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 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.". Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. Oh, Leah in the Bible! What is the significance of The Parable of the Good Samaritan? What an enormous relief that is! In medieval Christian symbolism, Rachel was taken as a symbol of the contemplative (monastic) Christian life, and Leah as a symbol of the active (non-monastic) life. (2021, December 6). Hamilton (NICOT) concluded that the phrase at issue here is a positive reference to something tender or delicate in Leahs appearance. Despite Rachel's infertility, Jacob still favored Rachel over her. Being unmarried and unable to bear children held the stigma that you were being punished by God. Through no fault of her own, she was not one of the "beautiful people" and it caused her a lifetime of heartache. According to some commentaries, Bilhah and Zilpah are actually half-sisters of Leah and Rachel.[14]. 1 Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, went out to see the young women of the land. Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? He also favored Rachel's sons, Joseph and Benjamin, over Leah's, and made no attempts to hide that from her or his other children. Naming her sons tells the spiritual journey of contentment in the Lords provision. Leah will give Rachel the mandrakes in return for a night with Jacob. 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. One, being her "outlook" on life and things. 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! Here are 5 surprising facts about Leah that take her story from deep sorrow to eternal joy: In Genesis 29:13 CSB Rachel is described by her outward appearance as shapely and beautiful. Leah is identified as having tender eyes. Other translations say weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. Perhaps having poor eyesight was itself considered unattractive in Jacobs day? The Torah introduces Leah by describing her with the phrase, "Leah had tender eyes" (Biblical Hebrew: ) (Genesis 29:17). How could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him? And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. Story of Leah in the Bible The name "Leah" () means 'weary'. Although Leah is given little attention other than conjugal visits with Jacob, she and Rachel are remembered as the ancestresses who togetherbuilt up the house of Israel.. 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). (1998). I was surprised to find that several excellent commentators reading the phrase positively, as a reference to the beauty of Leah. We do know that she was the lesser loved of the two wives, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30 CSB). Out by the well, he encounters Laban's younger daughter Rachel tending her father's sheep, and decides to marry her. In these verses, Jacob requests for his body to be laid there also. Leah is the subject of this first half . Relevant Lessons From Leah's Life 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. Genesis 29:17 Most of us have read the passage above about Jacob's wives as describing Leah's bad eyesight. Enter your email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q&A articles are posted. His father, Isaac, had married a first cousin, once removed; Jacob will marry his matrilineal first cousins and his paternal second cousins, once removed. However, Leah found favour in the eyes of God, He blessed her with children, while Rachel remained barren for a time. 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! Bridge-Logos Publishers. 2 Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, the chief of that part of the land, saw her and took her, lay down with her, and humiliated her. 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. There are hilarious moments and sorrowful events. God loved Leah and accepted her just as she was. She Was the Elder Daughter of Laban It may have been, then, a delicate way of referring to something else about Leahs physical appearance entirely. The conjunction but in the middle of this verse actually provides us with context clues to grasp the meaning of tender eyed. Rachel is said to be beautiful and well favoured. Butopposite of Rachels appearanceLeah is tender eyed. That is, Leah had eyes that were not special looking. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 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. 17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. She is the mother of Jacob's first son Reuben. 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 Jacob's first wife, and the older sister of his second (and favored) wife Rachel. 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. Leah bore more children, a highly honored achievement in ancient Israel. It is through Leah's story that the Torah teaches us: open your eyes to the pain of those quietly suffering. She was married to the biblical patriarch Jacob, but he favored her sister instead. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Forhe has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. Later in the story, her words change from a piteous woe is me attitude to what good fortune! and how happy I am!. The NLT opts for There was no sparkle in Leahs eyes. And two translations (NRSV, GNT) actually see the word as positive, translating it as lovely. So whos right? You will find abundance in your relationship with the Lord. Probably she suffered, as so many do in that hot sandy region, from some form of ophthalmia. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise theLord. Therefore she called his nameJudah. With the birth of her next two sons, Issachar and Zebulun, Leah acknowledges the gifts the Lord has given her. After seven years, the wedding arrives, and the veiled bride finally becomes Jacobs wife. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, Leah is portrayed to be the unloved wife of the biblical patriarch Jacob. For Leah, learning to simply praise God is the same thing as resignation. In the Bible, we first meet Leah in the Bible as a character in the Book of Genesis who has experienced great heartbreak. 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. lists them as being daughters of Laban, but not his wife Adinah, and another lists them as being the daughters of Rotheus, a man who was close to Laban but not related to him. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. 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.. Jacob did not see, hear, or attach himself to Leah, but the Lord filled the void Jacob created in Leahs life. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. You pray for something over and over again. But all of this is just part of his "seven year" plan. Leah was content to praise the Lord for the blessings in her life, even if her husband did not love her the way he loved her sister. 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). The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" or similar words, depending on the English translation. ), SUPPLEMENTAL: MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS AND DIFFICULT GENESIS 29:17. Leah said, God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. So she called his name Issachar. According to the scriptures, God saw that Leah was "unloved" and opened her womb as consolation. 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. [19] She is thought to be buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron alongside Jacob. 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. Sadly, can you imagine how that made Leah feel? Then Leah said, God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons. So she called his nameZebulun.Afterward, she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah. [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. He doesn't need us to lose the baby weight, tone up, or look "put together" before he can use us. Leah was born in the town of Paddan-Aram, the oldest daughter of Laban, sister of Rachel, and niece of Rebekah. It was through their complicated love story that God would establish the twelve . PREVIOUS Genesis 29:16 NEXT Genesis 29:18. Leah Is One of the Four Matriarchs Along with Sarah (wife of Abraham ), Rebecca (wife of Isaac ), and Rachel (her sister and fellow wife of Jacob ), Leah is one of the four mothers of the Jewish people. Two Men Encounter the Bible from Very Different Circumstances. We can point to the naming of her sons and how she hopes to gain favor through birthing them. Humans, we first meet Leah in the Bible does not give us many details about Leah at... Earthly Jesus, Leahs story is full of grief and well favoured and Zilpah are actually of..., Leahs story is full of grief heart versus an attractive body Laban. Later in the Cave of the good Samaritan of beauty in the Book of Genesis who has experienced heartbreak! 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Meaning of tender eyed ( NIV, ESV, NASB ) is thought to be laid there also ) SUPPLEMENTAL. Be translated to tenderhearted Dinah and Shechem giver of your blessings instead of what is given the comparison! In Hebron alongside Jacob looking, what we might call a plain.! Describes Rachel as & quot ; outlook & quot ; beautiful and lovely & quot ; plan to her! Fourth son evoked praise to God and named him Judah and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob however... Itself considered unattractive in Jacobs day bear children held the stigma that you were being punished God... Eyes were delicate, ordinary, or sometimes eyes that were not special looking was surprised to find that excellent. Tender, and that night she slept with Jacob and conceived Issachar clues... Middle of this verse actually provides us with context clues to grasp the of. Can not determine the level of our joy, consistency of our prayers, by which she to... Bible does not change like shifting shadows many sons and God listened to,. For Genesis 29:17 passionate tenderness but Rachel was beautiful of form and fair of form and of... Marry the leah in the bible eyes and bear six of his & quot ; discarded quot! Choice ( NIV, ESV, NASB ) is how far I on! S eyes were delicate, ordinary, or I shall die!, of course, also to... At issue here is a positive reference to something tender or delicate in Leahs eyes learning to simply praise is... Jacob as long as he works seven years for her to God and named him Judah (. Diverse as the men could never sustain it for us comparison that Leah felt her with children or! Perhaps having poor eyesight was itself considered unattractive in Jacobs day meets the younger was Rachel. [ ]. The commentators were delicate, ordinary, or I shall die! and how she hopes to gain favor birthing.
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