Zavada, Jack. Our circumstances cannot determine the level of our joy, consistency of our prayers, and abundance of our thanks. Through no fault of her own, she was not one of the "beautiful people" and it caused her a lifetime of heartache. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.. You will find abundance in your relationship with the Lord. (NIV), Genesis 49:29-31Then he gave them these instructions: I am about to be gathered to my people. You pray for something over and over again. We see Pinterest-worthy homes, beautiful women smiling for their selfies, happy couples posting photos on Facebook. Whatever Leah lacked in her marriage, the world received a gift of Savior through Gods abundant blessing. 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. The battle between the two sisters comes to a head when Reuben finds mandrakes. In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and foundmandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. We must rejoice even when things seem difficult or impossible because we have an incredible Savior who is faithful no matter what happens. Judah means acknowledgment (hodaah, as in modeh ani). And Leah said,Good fortune has come! so she called his nameGad.Leahs servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Being unmarried and unable to bear children held the stigma that you were being punished by God. 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. They are contrasted with Rachel, who is described as looking beautiful. The question is this: When push comes to shove, do I go with Christian peer pressure or with Gods Word as I see it? 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. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. God sees your heart and knows your wounds. One day a stranger visits their home. Jacob continues to show favoritism toward Rachel, but after Leahs third child is born, Leah seems to have a change of heart. The commentary of Rashi cites a Rabbinic interpretation of how Leah's eyes became weak. Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 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. Jacob fell in love with Rachel, but Laban's trickery led to both of his daughters being married to Jacob. One of those sons was Judah who was listed in Matthew 1 in the genealogy of King. The Bible says in Genesis 29:30 that " Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Can God really use even me? She was married to the biblical patriarch Jacob, but he favored her sister instead. How could anyone be so heartless? I try to walk down the middle of this road. To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. As Leah named her sons, we glimpse her spiritual journey toward contentment in how the Lord provided for her. 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 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. The sisters strike a deal. This fits just fine with the traditional KJV rendering of tender, which could be positive or negative. They would rather change the offensive precious words of God than insult Leah! Leah continues to offer her heart to Jacob for many years. After being unloved and unwanted, Leah was blessed by God with six sons. 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. - Webster's Bible Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. Leah bore more children, a highly honored achievement in ancient Israel. 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! However, Leah's eyes were weak from crying, for she feared that she would have to be married to the wicked Esau. When he meets the beautiful shepherdess, Jacob weeps with joy. [18], Leah died some time before Jacob (according to Genesis 49:31). Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons We Can Learn from Leah in the Bible, 6. 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. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. We are enough because he lets us off the hook of striving and comparing. The Lord chooses and elevates those whose hearts are pure before him. While Jacob may have settled for Leah, Leah herself doesnt settle. Leah and her sister Rachel, whose names mean "cow" and "ewe," give Jacob many sons; and their father gives him actual live-stock. Then she stopped bearing." (Gen. 28:32-35). On the flip side, because Leah was blessed to bear children for Jacob, Rachel became jealous. Leah Is Kindhearted In Genesis, Rachel is described by her outward appearance as beautiful. 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. 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. She conceived a son,. Why did Jesus say to throw the net on the right side? To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. But the sisters continually compete for Jacobs affection, primarily by trying to bear him more children. One, being her "outlook" on life and things. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, Jacob, and I said, Here I am!And he said, Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, forI have seen all that Laban is doing to you.I am the God of Bethel,where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Leah's first mention in the Bible comes in the story of Jacob. Her marriage began with scandal, but her role in her family gave her honor and respect in the community. But God did not permit him to harm me.If he said,The spotted shall be your wages, then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, The striped shall be your wages, then all the flock bore striped. Genesis 29:23But when evening came, he (Laban) took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. Her security eventually turns from her husband to her heavenly Father. She learns to set aside her idols of marriage, children, and family and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances. Probably she suffered, as so many do in that hot sandy region, from some form of ophthalmia. 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. Jacob traveled to Paddan-Aram to find a wife from among his relatives. For theLordsees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,but theLordlooks on the heart.. (NIV), Genesis 29:31When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. If Zilpah and Bilhah were indeed half-sisters of Leah, this would make Leah's adoptive sons, Gad and Asher, and Rachel's adoptive sons, Dan and Naphtali, her nephews. Can you relate to that? Leah was born in the town of Paddan-Aram, the oldest daughter of Laban, sister of Rachel, and niece of Rebekah. The 66 books of the Bible list is a very handy printable when you read the Bible. 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 ). But Jacobs willingness to labor seven years for her demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest. Leah felt unloved. It may have been, then, a delicate way of referring to something else about Leahs physical appearance entirely. Whatever she lacked in her marriage the world received a gift of a Savior through the abundant blessing of God. His father, Isaac, had married a first cousin, once removed; Jacob will marry his matrilineal first cousins and his paternal second cousins, once removed. Leahs role as wife is one that tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. Leah writes on her blog at leahlivelyblog.com and just released her second Bible study, 30 Days in Acts A Journey: Igniting the Flame of the Early Church. She is also someone many people can identify with. 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. But with something as simple as Leahs doe-eyes, heres what I would do: Id land. Enter your email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q&A articles are posted. 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? See Genesis chapters 29-30. 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. Leah, the wife of Jacob, experienced this; but God heard her prayers and saw her plight. Her second son she named Simeon (the Lord has heard that I am hated). The Lord saw Leahs rejection and knew what having sons would mean to her and her quest for being loved by her husband. 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. Her father doesn't want her either. Its then that God demonstrates howHefaithfully cherishes andHefaithfully pursues. The only thing weak eyes can mean, in context, is that Leah was less physically attractive than Rachel. Two Men Encounter the Bible from Very Different Circumstances. 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. 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. Naming her sons tells the spiritual journey of contentment in the Lords provision. We meet great leaders and evil kings. The next morning, in the light of day and the absence of a veil, the truth is revealed. (Physical appearance is irrelevant in Gods eyes. God, of course, saw this and allowed Leah to have four sons. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.. Indeed, it violates the first rule they teach you at Bible-teaching school: Dont comment on the physical appearance of particular women. English Bible readers have wondered if this is another way of saying her eyes were deformed (cross-eyed, lazy-eyed, or the like). It turns out his name is Jacob and he is looking for a worthy 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. Rachel (Heb., the ewe) was, on the contrary, "beautiful and well favoured" (Heb., beautiful in form and beautiful in look). In the Bible, we first meet Leah in the Bible as a character in the Book of Genesis who has experienced great heartbreak. 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. Also see: Both sisters eventually bore Jacob many sons, and Jacobs twelve sons would become the twelve tribes of Israel. 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. Verse Genesis 29:17. Used by permission. 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. That is between her and God, but we know that her jealously took her down a terrible downward spiral. She is also mentioned in Ruth 4:11. Leah's story in the Bible is told in Genesis chapters 29-31, 33-35, 46, and 49. Clarke's Commentary. Sons and daughters could make her worthy. The oldest daughter of Laban, she was plain looking and may have had poor eyesight, but she was dutiful and virtuous. Weak eyes and all. On a homiletical level, the classic Chassidic texts explain the sisters' rivalry as more than marital jealousy. Relevant Lessons From Leah's Life (NIV), Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. God Pursues Us, even if No One Else Does, Woman of Noble Character Affiliate Program, way for a persons wealth and success in life can be found within their spiritual relationship with God, Leah Unveiled: Your Best Life Later, Discovering Identity Stronger than the Struggle, Rachel & Leah Bible Study Book: What Two Sisters Teach Us about Combating Comparison. 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.. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, Now this time my husband will beattached to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore his name was called Levi. NASB And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance. Perhaps her relentless jealousy killed Rachel. I can do no other. 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! Pursuing God keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. 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. So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Labanfor another seven years. When he meets the stunning shepherdess, Jacob is overcome with joy. Laban is willing to give Rachel's hand to Jacob as long as he works seven years for her. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We must rejoice, pray, and give thanks for who God is not based on our current circumstances. 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. 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. Women in the Bible: Leah the unlovely. 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. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Leah is identified as having "tender eyes." Other translations describe her as weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. 34 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she bore unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. Jacob arrives in Haran and meets the younger sister, Rachel, at a well. Bridge-Logos Publishers. I was surprised to find that several excellent commentators reading the phrase positively, as a reference to the beauty of Leah. Until further notice, this website will not be receiving further updates. Leah was buried with fellow women who were not perfect, but worthy of honor because they birthed sons who fulfilled Gods promise to Abraham. Scripture tells us Rachel was "lovely in form, and beautiful." CSB Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Today and in biblical times, contentment is not a prevalent quality. Later Laban claims that it is uncustomary to give the younger daughter away in marriage before the older one (Genesis 29:1630). We dont know. Leah coarsely announces to Jacob that she has hired him with the mandrakes, and Jacob spends the night with her. Jacob did not see, hear, or attach himself to Leah, but the Lord filled the void Jacob created in Leahs life. 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. 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. Many still tend to notice or focus physical characteristics over heart qualities. flowers, and even as she sang, she said: New King James Version Leah's eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. While some may seem to have everything together on the outside, our focus must be on the condition of our hearts. When theLordsaw that Leah washated,he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. When Rachel saw thatshe bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. 19 Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. Leah's eyes, in their views, were either weak in power or color (Kidner) or in sparkle or fire (Wenham). 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. Leah is living at home with her father Laban and younger sister Rachel. The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" or similar words, depending on the English translation. (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. Leah will give Rachel the mandrakes in return for a night with Jacob. Her marriage began with scandal, but her position in her family gave her honor and respect in the community. Jealousy Take Our Eyes off Gods Blessings, 7. They do indeed take the phrase more literally. The Best Bible Translations: All You Need to Know & How to Choose, 7 of the Best Exegetical Bible Commentaries, How to Study the Bible: 9 Tips to Get More Out of Your Study. Whatever the case was, Leah was unattractive, so Jacob preferred to marry her (beautiful) sister Rachel. NIV Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 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. 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). Neither does he reject us because we don't meet the world's standards for being attractive. 3 And his soul cleaved unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved . Her children led half of the tribes of Israel. Jacob had eyes only for Rachel and he did not care about Leah. both young and fair; along a plain she gathered ), SUPPLEMENTAL: MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS AND DIFFICULT GENESIS 29:17. As Jacob's wife, Leah bore him six sons:Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. 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 was older, had weak or delicate eyes, and apparently was not attractive. In Hebrews 11:17-18 CSB, it says Your (Abrahams) offspring will be called through Isaac.. Whoever asks my name, know that I'm Leah, Although Leah was in a loveless marriage, her son Reuben was evidence to her that the Lord sees, Simeon means the Lord hears, and Levi that the Lord might create a bond between her and Jacob. It was through their complicated love story that God would establish the twelve . Jacob is ultimately allowed to marry Rachel, which he does immediately after the festivities related to his wedding to Leah end, in exchange for another seven years' labor. The Hebrew word in Genesis, rakkoth, could also mean tenderhearted or kindhearted. Pursuing the Lord keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations). 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. But I, of course, also turned to that glorious army, the commentators. Out by the well, he encounters Laban's younger daughter Rachel tending her father's sheep, and decides to marry her. 17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. 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. She was talking about the complex issue of headcoverings in 1 Corinthians 11: I appreciate scholarship, but it is rarely conclusive. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. The blessing is received, yet you want more. (1998). This is evident as she named her fourth son, Judah, meaning praise. (2021, December 6). Her marriage was not ideal, but God used it for His glory as she held an honored first position. 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. Were made to yearn for belonging and completion. 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. Reuben went and foundmandrakes in the middle of this verse actually provides us with clues! A sixth son special looking outside, our focus must be on the right side mean... Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons we can from! 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Another seven years for her light of day and the absence of a veil, the of... Us off the hook of striving and comparing was less physically attractive than Rachel,. Wife from among his relatives story in the Bible is the older daughter of,!