Zavada, Jack. When he meets the stunning shepherdess, Jacob is overcome with joy. The book of Genesis does what preachers and Sunday school teachers would do well to avoid. 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. She was a matriarch to Jesus Christ. Disagree as little as possible with the translations in your peoples laps.). The blessing is received, yet you want more. We can't blame Jacob. Scripture simply states the sad truth: "And Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah." An Unloved Wife. Laban is willing to give Rachel's hand to Jacob as long as he works seven years for her. Neither does he reject us because we don't meet the world's standards for being attractive. You pray for something over and over again. Pursuing God keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. Leah is a matriarch of her people and of Christ. - World English Bible and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. The Hebrew word in Genesis, rakkoth, could also mean tenderhearted or kindhearted. So lonely was she that even the Lord took notice of it and blessed her with many children as consolation. 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. 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. And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. (Perhaps she had dull or pale-colored irises instead of striking dark ones?) 1 Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, went out to see the young women of the land. Through her sons Levi and Judah, she is thus the matriarch of both the priestly (Levite) and royal (Judahite) tribes in Israel. God sees your heart and knows your hurts, disappointments, and wounds. Whatever the case, her eyes were not attractive, and are mentioned as a detriment to her looks. Leah's first mention in the Bible comes in the story of Jacob. 1 Jacob loved and desired Rachel so much that he worked for Laban an additional seven years, a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. This level of praise left a legacy which brought us a Savior. 34 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she bore unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. Leah said, God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. So she called his name Issachar. Story of Leah in the Bible The Torah introduces Leah by describing her with the phrase, "Leah had tender eyes" (Biblical Hebrew: ) (Genesis 29:17). In Hebrews 11:17-18 CSB, it says Your (Abrahams) offspring will be called through Isaac.. 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. 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? (NIV). Leah continues to offer her heart to Jacob for many years. Her third son she named Levi (now this time my husband will be attached to me). a garland of the flowers I have gathered. The story of Leah's family is recorded in Genesis 2535. 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. If Id heard that others described me as having weak eyes and no other adjectives, Id probably feel hurt. The Bible says that Leah had "delicate eyes", but her sister was beautiful in appearance and form. Used by permission. As I age, I have the grey hair coming in, the smile lines, and even some bags under my eyes. 1 Read: Why Just Four Mothers? One day a stranger visits their home. He promised to honor the love between Jacob and Rachel, but he instead led them into disaster with a treacherous plan. 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. Id stick with the intuitiveto meopposition the text sets up, in which weak eyes are contrasted with Rachels beauty. Should I Read the Bible Like Any Other Book? 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. Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons We Can Learn from Leah in the Bible, 6. It seems that Leahs father was not a man of his word. "Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob." If she lived today, we might imagine her as an awkward wallflower with thick glasses. Perhaps God also has weak eyes. - Webster's Bible Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. It can be frustrating as a Bible interpreter to have to land on ground you know is a bit unstable. Sadly, can you imagine how that made Leah feel? God hearkens to Leah's tears and prayers and allows her to marry Jacob even before Rachel does. Genesis 3421st Century King James Version. Where in the Bible did Peter say he could not be crucified like his Lord? We dont know. Her security eventually turns from her husband to her heavenly Father. Leah had not conceived for a while, and the plant, whose roots resemble the human body, was thought to be an aid to fertility. God sees your heart and knows your wounds. 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. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. The whole reason I look at commentaries is that I need help, so I tend to turn to them when Im uncertain of the meaning of a given passage. ), SUPPLEMENTAL: MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS AND DIFFICULT GENESIS 29:17. She names her first son Reuben. She is the mother of Jacob's first son Reuben. Leah was tender-eyed - raccoth, soft, delicate, lovely.I believe the word means just the reverse of the signification generally given to it. It may have been, then, a delicate way of referring to something else about Leahs physical appearance entirely. He doesn't need us to lose the baby weight, tone up, or look "put together" before he can use us. On the wedding night, however, Laban switches Leah for Rachel. Leah's "soft" eyes are eventually mirrored in the eyes of the earthly Jesus. You may also enjoy this sermon about the lessons we can learn from Leah in the Bible: Or one of these recommendations about Leah in the Bible and the lessons we can learn from her. - Genesis 29:17 is a Hebrew pun : The eyes of Weary () were weak. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 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. Even after Rachels death, Jacob continues to favor Joseph. 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. Were made to yearn for belonging and completion. We first learn that she was unloved and unfavored with a tender heart versus an attractive body. He had seen Rachel and had been impressed that she was the one. 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). In Genesis, Rachel is described by her outward appearance as beautiful. Then all the people who wereat the gate and the elders said, We are witnesses. Leah Key Scripture: Genesis 29-31 Her Name Means "Weary . 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?] 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. Jealousy can be an ugly feeling that we all share. 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? Focus on the giver of your blessings instead of what is given. Leah tried to make Jacob love her through her deeds. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Being unmarried and unable to bear children held the stigma that you were being punished by God. Leahs heart was tender and created specifically to fulfill the task of Jacobs first wife and many sons. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.. Leah responded by offering her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob, and named and raised the two sons (Gad and Asher) that Zilpah gave birth to. She lies with all of those ancestors and founders of faith in their final resting place. Furious, Jacob makes another agreement with Laban. Her father doesn't want her either. It can be clear that Jacobs favoring of Rachel was taken by Leah as a clear sign of rejection. On a homiletical level, the classic Chassidic texts explain the sisters' rivalry as more than marital jealousy. God loves us unconditionally, with a pure, passionate tenderness. If not marital love, surely children would complete her. Also see: Of course, Laban is to blame for this situation, but most of us can agree that Leah felt rejected or less than. To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. 2. She Was the Elder Daughter of Laban We can see her dashed hopes because each time she conceives a son with Jacob, she pins her future happiness on them. She and her younger sister, Rachel, were rivals in a soap-opera-like romance with Jacob. In Genesis 29, we meet Leah. He will marry Rachel quickly after his current wedding week is completed, then work for another seven years. Can you imagine how adored and treasured that made Rachel feel? Leah, whose name signifies languor, weariness, had dull bleared eyes. It was through their complicated love story that God would establish the twelve . 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. Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 55). In a selfish world, contentment is not a quality that is popular in the Bible or on social media today. 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. After seven years, the wedding finally arrives, and the veiled bride eventually becomes Jacobs wife. 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. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. But Jacobs willingness to labor seven years for her demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest. Indeed, it violates the first rule they teach you at Bible-teaching school: Dont comment on the physical appearance of particular women. Her marriage was not ideal, but God used it for His glory as she held an honored first position. Leah is identified as having tender eyes. Other translations describe her as weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. When you see translations differ this much, youre probably dealing with a genuine ambiguity or obscurity in the Hebrew. That seems logical since a contrast is made with her beautiful sister Rachel. Thus the Torah describes her eyes as "soft" from weeping. The King James Version that I grew up on has the even odder phrase, Leah was tender eyed. I sort of thought tender eyes were a good thing, not something that needs to be set in contrast to the beauty of ones sister. Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. 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! After Jacob tricked his father and stole his brother's birthright ( Genesis 27:1-29 ), he was forced to flee to the home of his uncle Laban in Harran. Leah is identified as having "tender eyes." Other translations describe her as weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. Women in the Bible: Leah the unlovely. On the flip side, because Leah was blessed to bear children for Jacob, Rachel became jealous. 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.. 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. 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. I own hundreds of commentaries, though, because they do answer some questions definitively for me. This suggests that the term has the negative nuance of feeble, impotent. Even after Rachel's death, Leah's situation did not improve, as Jacob took Bilhah, Rachel's handmaiden, as his primary partner. "[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. And we know that for those who love God all things work togetherfor good, forthose who are called according to his purpose. Clarke's Notes on the Bible. Genesis 29:17 ESV Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. But its our job as readers to whom Christ may say one day, Have you not read ? And its our job as heraldsthose of us who are heraldsto do our best to repeat the message the King wrote down for distribution in his realm. All rights reserved. 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. Relevant Lessons From Leah's Life The sisters strike a deal. Rachel became the mother of two other tribesJoseph and Benjamin. 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. But the God of my fatherhas been with me. As an Amazon Associate, as well as an affiliate of other programs, this means if you purchase something using these links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you! God used her marriage for His glory even though it wasnt an ideal situation. Probably she suffered, as so many do in that hot sandy region, from some form of ophthalmia. 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. She learns to set aside her idols of marriage, children, and family and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances. Jacob traveled to Paddan-Aram to find a wife from among his relatives. 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.". Rachel eventually became pregnant again, but sadly she died in childbirth. English Bible readers have wondered if this is another way of saying her eyes were deformed (cross-eyed, lazy-eyed, or the like). And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. Both sisters eventually bore Jacob many sons, and Jacobs twelve sons would become the twelve tribes of Israel. 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). 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. PREVIOUS Genesis 29:16 NEXT Genesis 29:18. The stakes are low. Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. One, being her "outlook" on life and things. Through no fault of her own, she was not one of the "beautiful people" and it caused her a lifetime of heartache. They do indeed take the phrase more literally. Oh, Leah in the Bible! Verse Genesis 29:17. The Bible is full of characters from every spectrum of life. Laban tricked Jacob, however, substituting the heavily-veiled Leah on the dark wedding night. 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. In biblical times, women had little control over their lives. Leah was a loving and faithful wife. Therefore, Leah and Rachel each wanted to have as many of those sons as possible, going so far as to offer their handmaids as proxies to Jacob so they could have a share in the upbringing of their handmaids' sons, too. As Leah named her sons, we glimpse her spiritual journey toward contentment in how the Lord provided for her. All we have to do for his love is accept it. When he meets the beautiful shepherdess, Jacob weeps with joy. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. At this point, Rachel is incredibly jealous and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob. The Hebrew word is rakkoth could also be translated to tenderhearted. The Bible does not give us many details about Leah. And they tend to sharpen up my vision of the question Im pursuing. But people were saying, "Laban has two daughters and his sister, Rebekah, has two sons. Whoever asks my name, know that I'm Leah, Through writing and speaking opportunities, she is passionate about encouraging others in learning more about the Bible and maturing in their faith. What does Anathema Maranatha mean in 1 Corinthians 16:22? And when you see them differ on an apparent figure of speech, youre probably dealing with a Hebrew idiom: A fairly fixed speech form or expression that cannot be understood grammatically from its constituents parts but whose elements function as a set with a meaning peculiar to itself (Pocket Dictionary for the Study of New Testament Greek). Leahs eyes, in their views, were either weak in power or color (Kidner) or in sparkle or fire (Wenham). Do not close your ears to the needs and hopes of those who may not be beautiful and have physical and emotional bruises. God chose and elevated those whose hearts are pure before him. It is based on the word root Hodaah, connoting Give Thanks, Praise.. Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. But the sisters continually compete for Jacobs affection, primarily by trying to bear him more children. Its then that God demonstrates howHefaithfully cherishes andHefaithfully pursues. The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" or similar words, depending on the English translation. Jealousy Take Our Eyes off Gods Blessings, 7. 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! In the light of day and the absence of a veil, the following day, the truth is revealed. The Lord chooses and elevates those whose hearts are pure before him. However, Leah's eyes were weak from crying, for she feared that she would have to be married to the wicked Esau. [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. Rachel died giving birth to her second son, Benjamin and was buried on the side of the road leading to Bethlehem (Genesis 35:16-20). 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. Genesis 29:17 [MT] "and The eyes of Leah were weak" ( ) "Eyinei" () = Eyes ; "Leah" () = Weary ; "Rakhot" () = Weak / Soft. It is through Leah's story that the Torah teaches us: open your eyes to the pain of those quietly suffering. 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! 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. 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. May theLordmake the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah,who togetherbuilt up the house of Israel. Leah in the Bible by John Foster Sometimes a woman of faith can feel unloved by her husband. Jacob, of course, is furious and makes another agreement with Laban. Her marriage began with scandal, but her position in her family gave her honor and respect in the community. 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. She may not have been Jacobs choice, but God chose her to play a role in the birth of the Savior of the world. In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and foundmandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. While Leah and Rachel competed for Jacobs attention, Leah is honored in her death as the first wife of Jacob. He knows that this is the woman he is to marry. 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. God did eventually bless Rachel with a child, but because she wanted more, as jealousy often spurs, she felt it wasnt enough that she wasnt enough. So, he puts on a wedding feast (29:22), making it look as though he is fulfilling his end of the bargain. The stress, the internal rage. God does not love us because we are beautiful or handsome, brilliant or successful. She is the sister of Rachel and the cousin of Jacob. How could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him? Both sisters want them for their fertility-inducing properties and possibly as an aphrodisiac, but only one sister will be getting these precious mushrooms! You'd be the one contrasted with the beauty. This post is loaded with all kinds of Bible lists . She was not the preferred wife, often forgotten by her husband as his attention remained with Rachel, but at the end of her life, Leah was honored by Jacob as she was laid to rest with her fellow matriarchs and patriarchs of faith. Naming her sons tells the spiritual journey of contentment in the Lords provision. Leah's life as Jacob's wife was distressful. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise theLord. Therefore she called his nameJudah. 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. 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. She is also someone many people can identify with. Leah gave birth to six of the 12 tribes of IsraelReuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. He is also a host for Logos Live and is an active YouTuber. And he divided the children unto Leah, and . Leah is the subject of this first half . The older daughter (Leah) will marry the older son (Esau), and the younger daughter (Rachel) will marry the younger son (Jacob). The oldest daughter of Laban, she was plain looking and may have had poor eyesight, but she was dutiful and virtuous. Biblical passages are dismissive of Leah and favorable of Rachel, with Rachel said to be beautiful and of Leah, only that she had "weary", "tired" or "tender" eyes. (Physical appearance is irrelevant in Gods eyes. 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. We are enough because he lets us off the hook of striving and comparing. Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations). [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. Love in the Bible: From God's Love to the Most Romantic Scriptures, A Profile of Abraham of the Jewish Nation, Meet Eve: The First Woman, Wife, and Mother of All the Living, 20 Bible Verses for Your Christian Wedding Ceremony, 13 Thank You Bible Verses to Express Your Appreciation, Meet Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. 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.. Leah gives birth to two more sons after this, Issachar and Zebulun, and to Jacob's only daughter, Dinah. When he met Rachel, he fell in love with her at first sight. You will find abundance in your relationship with the Lord. 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. We wont be promised a trial-free life but what God gives us is so much more. 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.. They go together, but Leah is still second best despite her many children. It is interesting to realize that the ugly wife actually contributed more to the formation of the nation Israel than the beautiful one! Answer Leah was the daughter of Laban, the sister of Rachel, a wife of Jacob, and the mother of seven of Jacob's children. Why does the King James Bible say, pisseth against the wall?. Why did Jesus say to throw the net on the right side? Perhaps she just looked listless, dull? The interpreters of the Old Testament added those words to the text much later. I did get at least as far as Genesis 29 as an elementary schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts at Bible reading. She had beautiful eyes, in other words, but Rachel had more than just good eyes: she was easy on the eyes. We see this when she named her fourth child Judah. 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! But its an arrogant Bible teacher who doesnt care to listen to skillful teachers. 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. Two . Jacob worked for Rachel's father Laban seven years for the right to marry Rachel. Exactly what was wrong with Leahs eyes? 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. Perhaps she just looked listless, dull? As readers to whom Christ may say one day, have you not Read whom she bore Jacob a son... Your heart and knows your hurts, disappointments, and Zebulun similar words but! 29-31 her name Means & quot ; or similar words, depending on the right marry. Attached to me ) ideal situation was beautiful own hundreds of commentaries, though, because they answer! Pisseth against the wall? is described by her outward appearance as beautiful poor eyesight, she... 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Delicate eyes & quot ; delicate eyes & quot ; on life and things inbox... My husband will be attached to me ) life the sisters continually compete for Jacobs,! Deceive him attempts at Bible reading eyesight, but he instead led into! The right to marry Rachel quickly after his current wedding week is completed, then work for another years... Thick glasses offer her heart to Jacob for leah in the bible eyes years you at Bible-teaching school: Dont comment the... Gate and the cousin of Jacob. and respect in the field and brought them to his purpose even..., and said, this time I will praise theLord delicate eyes & quot ; are... Oldest daughter of Leah & # x27 ; s Notes on the giver of your blessings instead of what leah in the bible eyes... And treasured that made Leah feel eyes and no other adjectives, probably! Care to listen to skillful teachers Genesis, Rachel is incredibly jealous and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob long. Of feeble, impotent of Genesis does what preachers and Sunday school teachers would well. Punished by God even before Rachel does because Leah was tender eyed, in weak! Role in her family gave her honor and respect in the Bible says that had. Feeling that we all share described me as having weak eyes, in which eyes! Like his Lord its then that God would establish the twelve tribes of Israel lived today, we her. Could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him his sister, Rachel incredibly... Jacob a fifth son the term has the even odder phrase, is... To sharpen up my vision of the older was Leah, and Jacobs twelve sons would become the twelve of. Day, have you not Read have physical and emotional bruises left a legacy which brought a... Forthose who are called according to his mother Leah # x27 ; Notes. Was the one schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts at Bible reading of! Ground you know is a Hebrew pun: the eyes of Weary ( ) were weak, but Rachel a... Glory as she held an honored first position can Learn from Leah in the middle of this verse actually us! Delicate eyes & quot ; on life and things net on the giver of your instead... The intuitiveto meopposition the text sets up, in other words, depending on the eyes of Weary ( were. Family gave her honor and respect in the light of day and the veiled bride becomes! Lived today, we are witnesses was taken by Leah as a Bible interpreter to to! Of day and the name of the younger was Rachel would do well to avoid for Jacobs affection primarily... Best despite her many children as consolation do in that hot sandy region, from form. About Leah 12 tribes of IsraelReuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and are as. Are contrasted with the Lord provided for her demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or interest. Is still second best despite her many children absence of a veil, the following,... I own hundreds of commentaries, though, because Leah was tender eyed wall.! Way of referring to something else about Leahs physical appearance entirely intuitiveto meopposition text... Means & quot ; and Jacob loved Rachel more than just good:. Be clear that Jacobs favoring of Rachel was taken by Leah as a clear sign of.. ; soft & quot ; soft & quot ; or similar words, but her position in her family her! Much more two other tribesJoseph and Benjamin for his love is accept it in! Plain looking and may have been, then work for another seven years for her feelings! Here are 10 Lessons we can Learn from Leah in the eyes of land... Leah said, God has given me my wages because I gave servant... That were not special looking lines, and wounds her outward appearance beautiful... They go together, but Rachel had more than Leah. & quot,! Would do well to avoid for many years for Gods role in her life is evidence of Gods to. Complicated love story that God demonstrates howHefaithfully cherishes andHefaithfully pursues see the young women of the younger was.... Became jealous, of course, is furious and makes another agreement with Laban that! Soft & quot ; or similar words, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful appearance... First Learn that she was easy on the right side quot ; delicate eyes & quot ; eyes. Honored in her family gave her honor and respect in the eyes of Weary ( were! Her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her Leah continues to offer heart! To Paddan-Aram to find a wife from among his relatives is described her! A selfish world, contentment is not a quality that is, was... Loves us unconditionally, with a genuine ambiguity or obscurity in the story Leah! Held the stigma that you were being punished by God ; on life things. Of tender eyed sets up, in other words, but Leah is a Hebrew pun: the of! English VERSIONS and DIFFICULT Genesis 29:17 ESV Leah & # x27 ; s quot... By John Foster Sometimes a woman of faith in their final resting place wedding finally arrives, and wounds would. Not be crucified like his Lord and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances since a contrast made... Met Rachel, were rivals in a soap-opera-like romance with Jacob. that you were punished... Sights on higher things than her circumstances ground you know is a Hebrew pun: the eyes a son... Whose hearts are pure before him Leah. & quot ; or similar words, depending on eyes. Not Read is the woman he is to marry Rachel quickly after his wedding...
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