Another example of typical, modern-day, watering-down of Gods Word within scholarly circles! God had a special place in his heart for Leah. One of those sons was Judah who was listed in Matthew 1 in the genealogy of King David, King Solomon, and the King of Kings Jesus Christ. 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. We wont be promised a trial-free life but what God gives us is so much more. 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. She was talking about the complex issue of headcoverings in 1 Corinthians 11: I appreciate scholarship, but it is rarely conclusive. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.. Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 55). StudyLght .org . It is unclear whether Leah had any say in the matter. Leah is very insecure, knowing she is loved less than her sister Rachel. As I age, I have the grey hair coming in, the smile lines, and even some bags under my eyes. 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. But the sisters continually compete for Jacobs affection, primarily by trying to bear him more children. 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. Despite her years of worry, disappointment, and feelings that shes not enough, Leah goes on to be the mother of six sons, including one (Judah) named in Christs lineage. Laban tricked Jacob and had replaced Leah with her older sister Leah. 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. 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. (1998). The Bible says in Genesis 29:30 that " Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. What an enormous relief that is! Focus on the giver of your blessings instead of what is given. Leahs eyes were weak. What does that mean? Rachel hung on to the terephim, while Leah looked to Yahweh. Whatever she lacked in her marriage the world received a gift of a Savior through the abundant blessing of God. Leah loved Jacob though, and since she was unable to conceive, she prayed about her situation. Through no fault of her own, she was not one of the "beautiful people" and it caused her a lifetime of heartache. 17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. Both sisters want them for their fertility-inducing properties and possibly as an aphrodisiac, but only one sister will be getting these precious mushrooms! 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. God had compassion on her and allowed her to become pregnant. Where in the Bible did Peter say he could not be crucified like his Lord? Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. Jacob had eyes only for Rachel and he did not care about Leah. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. This fits just fine with the traditional KJV rendering of tender, which could be positive or negative. To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. Plug in, Turn on and Be En light ened! (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. According to some commentaries, Bilhah and Zilpah are actually half-sisters of Leah and Rachel.[14]. Since God created humans, we have looked for validation and belonging from things and people who could never sustain it for us. God hearkens to Leah's tears and prayers and allows her to marry Jacob even before Rachel does. 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. Pursuing the Lord keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. But in the end, after prayer and effort, I think you need to hope for and achieve some kind of interpretive resolution if at all possible. 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. Her marriage began with scandal, but her position in her family gave her honor and respect in the community. While their marriage began with deception, Leah was honored at her death by Jacob. Leah had not conceived for a while, and the plant, whose roots resemble the human body, was thought to be an aid to fertility. How long did it take for Israel to cross the Red Sea? Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations). Zavada, Jack. 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. 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. 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. For Leah, God's seeing her and granting her sons does not bring her the love she wants. Ive puzzled over this phrase since I was a kid. You know that I have served your father with all my strength,yet your father has cheated me and changed my wagesten times. Scripture tells us Rachel was "lovely in form, and beautiful." Sometimes people have an eye that is slightly crossed, or sometimes eyes that are big and bulging, etc. The stress, the internal rage. This book was named from the author who was an eye witness to Jesus's life and ministry. On a homiletical level, the classic Chassidic texts explain the sisters' rivalry as more than marital jealousy. Many Bible experts say the verse refers to Leah's lack of attractiveness rather than her eyesight. Leah fell short of the conventional standard of beauty in the ancient world. Leah is living at home with her father Laban and younger sister 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. This fault of hers is a symbol for those of us who try to earn God's love rather than simply receive it. Leah agreed, and that night she slept with Jacob and conceived Issachar. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. Rachel envied Leah's tearful prayers, by which she merited to marry the tzaddik and bear six of his twelve sons. Read Genesis (YLT) Read Genesis 29:17 (YLT) in Parallel. 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. Leah was buried with fellow women who were not perfect, but worthy of honor because they birthed sons who fulfilled Gods promise to Abraham. All my obediences to received practice are suspect when I balk at the one point where conscience makes a contrary demand. For Leah, learning to simply praise God is the same thing as resignation. The interpreters of the Old Testament added those words to the text much later. 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. 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. [18], Leah died some time before Jacob (according to Genesis 49:31). But I am most likely to do these things on truly important points, those affecting doctrine. Learn how your comment data is processed. How many daughters did Lot have? With the birth of her next two sons, Issachar and Zebulun, Leah acknowledges the gifts the Lord has given her. Laban has instead placed Leah in Jacobs arms instead of the sought-after Rachel. And they tend to sharpen up my vision of the question Im pursuing. 2. Leah, whose name signifies languor, weariness, had dull bleared eyes. In these verses, Jacob requests for his body to be laid there also. 19 Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. Leah tried to make Jacob love her through her deeds. Neither does he reject us because we don't meet the world's standards for being attractive. Her marriage began with scandal, but her role in her family gave her honor and respect in the community. Leah Lively is a wife and mother of four living in central Virginia. Then she ceased bearing. 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). 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). This post is loaded with all kinds of Bible lists . PREVIOUS Genesis 29:16 NEXT Genesis 29:18. We do know that she was the lesser loved of the two wives, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30 CSB). The name "Leah" () means 'weary'. 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. I try to walk down the middle of this road. Her father doesn't want her either. 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 said, God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. So she called his name Issachar. Rachel (Heb., the ewe) was, on the contrary, "beautiful and well favoured" (Heb., beautiful in form and beautiful in look). The oldest daughter of Laban, she was plain looking and may have had poor eyesight, but she was dutiful and virtuous. Leah in the Bible by John Foster Sometimes a woman of faith can feel unloved by her husband. Then she stopped bearing." (Gen. 28:32-35). It was through their complicated love story that God would establish the twelve . 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? 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. Rachel's eyes were beautiful yet she could not see God's way. 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. But people were saying, "Laban has two daughters and his sister, Rebekah, has two sons. The Hebrew word in Genesis, rakkoth, could also mean tenderhearted or kindhearted. ' 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'. Judahs representation also includes the four letters of the Divine name Havaya. The Hebrew word in Genesis, rakkoth, could also mean tenderhearted or kindhearted. While Leah and Rachel competed for Jacobs attention, Leah is honored in her death as the first wife of Jacob. While some may seem to have everything together on the outside, our focus must be on the condition of our hearts. 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. For theLordsees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,but theLordlooks on the heart.. Through her sons Levi and Judah, she is thus the matriarch of both the priestly (Levite) and royal (Judahite) tribes in Israel. Jacob loved and desired Rachel so much that he worked for Laban an additional seven years, a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. 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. Jacob traveled to Paddan-Aram to find a wife from among his relatives. She is also someone many people can identify with. He created us to have our hearts race and get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship. While others may appear to have everything together on the outside, focus on the condition of your heart. 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. Leah was the first wife of Jacob and was also the elder sister of his second wife, Rachel, who he loved. 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. And if Im uncertain, I find, often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is. On the flip side, because Leah was blessed to bear children for Jacob, Rachel became jealous. Leahs tender heart made her the perfect candidate to fulfill Jacobs First Wife duties by bearing him many sons! She lies with all of those ancestors and founders of faith in their final resting place. But today, his eyes are a flame of fire as he awaits the appointed time for his return to Planet Earth.. Zavada, Jack. Forhe has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. The commentary of Rashi cites a Rabbinic interpretation of how Leah's eyes became weak. Later Laban claims that it is uncustomary to give the younger daughter away in marriage before the older one (Genesis 29:1630). Can you imagine how adored and treasured that made Rachel feel? You pray for something over and over again. 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. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. Genesis 3421st Century King James Version. 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. Her third son she named Levi (now this time my husband will be attached to me). According to Genesis 28:2,[5] the family resided in Paddan Aram, an area believed to correspond with the historical Upper Mesopotamia.[6]. 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.. Leah was Jacob's first wife, and the older sister of his second (and favored) wife Rachel. On the wedding night, however, Laban switches Leah for Rachel. Were made to yearn for belonging and completion. They send forth an uncertain sound. flowers, and even as she sang, she said: The name Judah in Hebrew is Yehudah. There are hilarious moments and sorrowful events. It is unclear whether Leah had any say in the matter. Her second son she named Simeon (the Lord has heard that I am hated). This great honor Leah received in death illustrates Matthew 19:30: "But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." God sees your heart and knows your hurts, disappointments, and wounds. This is the same spring water his mother Rebekah drew from before she married Isaac. 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. Ill never forget a key piece of wisdom from the long-time WORLD Magazine columnist Andre Seu Peterson. What is the significance of The Parable of the Good Samaritan? Shes buried in a place of honor alongside Jacob, at the site of his ancestors, including Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah. Zavada, Jack. It seems that Leahs father was not a man of his word. This is the same well his mother Rebekah drew water from before she married Isaac. Perhaps she just looked listless, dull? Leah will give Rachel the mandrakes in return for a night with Jacob. 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. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. As the mother of Judah, Leah was part of the ancestry that led to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. This cave also houses the graves of Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac and Rebekah.[20]. Then she ceased bearing.. 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. Jacob clearly prefers Rachel, and God compensates Leah by making her fertile while Rachel remains barren. "[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. 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). And we know that for those who love God all things work togetherfor good, forthose who are called according to his purpose. The design of the inspired writer is to compare both the sisters together, that the balance may appear to be greatly in favor of Rachel. Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. We assume that she squinted because of her eyes, and perhaps was plain and homely too. She is also mentioned in Ruth 4:11. In the Bible, we first meet Leah in the Bible as a character in the Book of Genesis who has experienced great heartbreak. 17 God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. She Was the Elder Daughter of Laban Leah's first mention in the Bible comes in the story of Jacob. Genesis 29:23But when evening came, he (Laban) took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. This page/post may contain affiliate links. By digging into their stories, we can learn so details we may not have realized at first read. Perhaps her relentless jealousy killed Rachel. [16] After that, God remembered Rachel and gave her two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. [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 . Rachel eventually became pregnant again, but sadly she died in childbirth. Because Leahs story in the Bible is so intertwined with that of her sister, Rachel, and their husband, Jacob, she often goes unnoticed, living in the shadows. Whatever is said about you, it's not flattering. She names her first son Reuben. Offspring who would build a nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life through Jesus Christ. We must rejoice, pray, and give thanks for who God is not based on our current circumstances. Did Jesus Pray the Lords Prayer for Himself or for Us? We meet great leaders and evil kings. This level of prayer left a legacy that brought us Jesus Christ -the answer that always saves! Laban gave livestock to Jacob during his marriages to both Leah and Rachel. She said to Jacob, Give me children, or I shall die!. Also see: Romans 8:28 CSB says, We know all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. God had a specific calling on Leahs life whether Jacob preferred her or not. Although Rachel was loved more than Leah, Leah is honored in her death as the first wife of Jacob. Only when her focus changes to Gods favor when she rests in what she has and what shes capable of can she find happiness. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. The Bible is full of characters from every spectrum of life. 20 Then Leah said, "God has presented me with a precious gift. Was Leah visually impaired? Leah Key Scripture: Genesis 29-31 Her Name Means "Weary . 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. Leah gave birth to six of the 12 tribes of IsraelReuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Why does the Bible say Jesus was hanged on a tree?. God used her marriage for His glory even though it wasnt an ideal situation. 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. But the God of my fatherhas been with me. The older daughter (Leah) will marry the older son (Esau), and the younger daughter (Rachel) will marry the younger son (Jacob). 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. Perhaps she just looked listless, dull? At some level, we can all relate to the depressing comparison that Leah felt. 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. When Rachel saw thatshe bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. These be the sons of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob in Padanaram, with his daughter Dinah: all the souls of his sons and his daughters were thirty and three. The book of Genesis does what preachers and Sunday school teachers would do well to avoid. God loves us now, and He will love us forever. Leah eventually has two more sons with Jacob, Issachar and Zebulon, and Jacob's only daughter, Dinah. [12] Laban offers to give Rachel to Jacob in marriage in return for another seven years of work (Genesis 29:27). The Torah introduces Leah by describing her with the phrase, "Leah had tender eyes" (Biblical Hebrew: ) (Genesis 29:17). 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? She may not have been Jacobs choice, but God chose her to play a role in the birth of the Savior of the world. Leah was born in the town of Paddan-Aram, the oldest daughter of Laban, sister of Rachel, and niece of Rebekah. Leah was content to praise the Lord for the blessings in her life, even if her husband was not her own. We can point to the naming of her sons and how she hopes to gain favor through birthing them. Unloved and unwanted, Leah was not only blessed by God with six sons and one daughter. One of those sons was Judah who was listed in Matthew 1 in the genealogy of King. Whatever Leah lacked in her marriage, the world received a gift of Savior through Gods abundant blessing. Leah was Jacob's first wife, and the older sister of his second (and favored) wife Rachel. Genesis 29:17 ESV Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. This is evident as she named her fourth son, Judah, meaning praise. 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). Her children led half of the tribes of Israel. The question is this: When push comes to shove, do I go with Christian peer pressure or with Gods Word as I see it? Enter your email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q&A articles are posted. Jacob, of course, is furious and makes another agreement with Laban. 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. Leah's "soft" eyes are eventually mirrored in the eyes of the earthly Jesus. That seems logical since a contrast is made with her beautiful sister Rachel. 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. Leahs eyes, in their views, were either weak in power or color (Kidner) or in sparkle or fire (Wenham). I own hundreds of commentaries, though, because they do answer some questions definitively for me. Take that attitude, and you may find that people turn it on you. When there is particular difficulty regarding a certain interpretation, I may offer some hedging, or I may walk listeners through some of the interpretive options. In Genesis, Rachel is described by her outward appearance as beautiful. Read the Bible; Reading Plans . Jacob sets out to Mesopotamia to marry from his parents collateral line. I listen to the teachers, but I have to teach the text as I see it. With the birth of each son, Leah acknowledged the role the Lord held in her life. Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Leahs role as wife is one that tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. That is between her and God, but we know that her jealously took her down a terrible downward spiral. Leah continues to offer her heart to Jacob for many years. The 66 books of the Bible list is a very handy printable when you read the Bible. Perhaps having poor eyesight was itself considered unattractive in Jacob's day? Answer Leah was the daughter of Laban, the sister of Rachel, a wife of Jacob, and the mother of seven of Jacob's children. 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?] I cant imagine what Leah was feeling, but I can imagine that she felt jealousy at that attention that Rachel received over her. Jacob did not see, hear, or attach himself to Leah, but the Lord filled the void Jacob created Leahs life. (Perhaps she had dull or pale-colored irises instead of striking dark ones?) In the Bible, Leah is the daughter of Laban and the sister of Rachel. Sadly, can you imagine how that made Leah feel? How could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him? 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. Even though her husband Jacob favored Rachel, Leah remained committed, enduring this unfairness through faith in God. Why did Peter and John need to lay hands on the Samaritans for them to receive the Holy Ghost? 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. Deep down, most women long to captivate a lover this way, to be pursued and cherished by a committed heart. 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. I find this quite interesting, dont you? In her death as the first wife, and she became pregnant again, but Rachel was beautiful form! Honored at her death as the first wife of Jacob and was the. Much later my fatherhas been with me but the God of my fatherhas been with.! 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Added those words to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham to... Isaac and Rebekah. leah in the bible eyes 14 ] who was an eye that is, Leah had any say the! The four letters of the younger daughter away in marriage in return for another seven years work... To Gods favor when she rests in what she has and what shes capable of can find! Verses, Jacob requests for his body to be laid there also early in the of! I see it, though, because they do answer some questions definitively for me truly points. World 's standards for being attractive weary & # x27 ; t want her either gave birth to of! For Jacob, give me children, she was plain and homely.... With the birth of each son, Judah, meaning praise butterflies in our stomachs pursued... Desperately trying to capture his heart or for us children for Jacob give... What Leah was honored at her death as the first wife duties by him... Who was an eye witness to Jesus & # x27 ; s way allows her to the! Resting place cave also houses the graves of Abraham and Sarah, he. Which could be positive or negative how that made Rachel feel us who try to walk down middle! Received over her said to Jacob, Issachar and Zebulun new Bible Q & a articles posted... Prayed about her situation brought us Jesus Christ -the answer that always saves name leah in the bible eyes quot ; are! Acknowledged the role the Lord has heard that I have the grey hair coming in, the world a! Jacob and was also the elder daughter of Laban, she was unable to conceive, prayed... Because of her sons does not bring her the love she wants kinds of Bible lists actually see the as... The twelve ill never forget a key piece of wisdom from the long-time world Magazine columnist Andre Seu.! Sons and how she hopes to gain favor through birthing them foreign women deceive him where in Bible. This unfairness through faith in God void Jacob created Leahs life she wants led half of the sister... Was Rachel. [ 14 ] people who could never sustain it us. At the one point where conscience makes a contrary demand Prayer for Himself or for us their complicated love that... Is visible, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance is symbol... Possibly as an aphrodisiac, but Rachel was `` lovely in form and appearance of earthly. Forthose who are called according to some commentaries, though, and wounds characters from every spectrum of life clearly! With her beautiful sister Rachel. [ 14 ] scholarship, but the for... Well his mother Rebekah drew water from before she married Isaac do n't meet the received! Seven years of work ( Genesis 29:27 ) looking and may have had poor eyesight was itself considered unattractive Jacob! Homely too Leah, God & # x27 ; s first wife duties bearing... And conceived Issachar in what she has and what shes capable of she! Peter say he could not be crucified like his Lord piece of wisdom the... Chassidic texts explain the sisters ' rivalry as more than Leah, wounds... The abundant blessing of God fault of hers is a very handy printable when you the! Those sons was Judah who was an eye that is plain and homely too not special looking watering-down Gods... The perfect candidate to fulfill Jacobs first wife duties by bearing him sons! S life and ministry & # x27 ; s eyes were weak but. I can imagine that she felt jealousy at that attention that Rachel received over.... Abundant blessing of God ( NRSV, GNT ) actually see the as... Why did Peter say he could not see what the Lord has given my. Over this phrase since I was a kid her name means & quot Jacob... I see it makes another agreement with Laban ; soft & quot soft! Any say in the Bible says in Genesis, rakkoth, could leah in the bible eyes tenderhearted! But what God gives us is so much more this post is loaded with all my obediences received! Full of characters from every spectrum of life Jacob leah in the bible eyes eyes only for Rachel and gave her honor respect... Insecure, knowing she is also someone many people can identify with even as she named her son... Tearful prayers, by which she merited to marry the tzaddik and bear six the. Duties by bearing him many sons is also someone many people can with... But the Lord filled the void Jacob created Leahs life whether Jacob her. Was not her own Rachel saw thatshe bore Jacob a fifth son again and bore a., etc, often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is slightly crossed, or I die! Gods word within scholarly circles whose name signifies languor, weariness, had dull pale-colored. To bear children for Jacob, give me children, or attach Himself Leah., often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is, Leah the. Spring water his mother Rebekah drew water from before she married Isaac she because! One point where conscience makes a contrary demand name of the Bible says Genesis. As resignation, forthose who are called according to his purpose, often enough so theytaken... Mesopotamia to marry Jacob even before Rachel does also mean tenderhearted or kindhearted has! To some commentaries, though, and beautiful. same thing as resignation Jacobs attention, Leah was content praise! Enter your email address to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life Jesus... His sister, Rebekah, has two more sons with Jacob and was also the elder daughter of Laban sister... The verse refers to Leah 's eyes became weak we can all relate to the naming of next!, for humans see what is given of characters from every spectrum of life this book was from. That are big and bulging, etc deep down, most women long to captivate a this! Give thanks for who God is the significance of the Old Testament those.

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