Keraia
Genesis 29

Genesis 29:31

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah · Genesis 29:31–35
Read Genesis 29

Translations

Modern
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.
Traditional
And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
Literal
And YHWH saw that Leah was hated, and He opened her womb, and Rachel was barren.
Latin
Videns autem Dominus quod despiceret Liam, aperuit vulvam ejus, sorore sterili permanente.

Original

Hebrew
English
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

Notes

Genesis 29:31–35

  • Leah’s first four sons were born in rapid succession, but Rachel could not conceive. She was unable to have children, like Sarah and Rebekah (compare 16:1; 25:21; see also 1 Samuel 1:1–28; Luke 1:5–25).

  • Each name is a memorable wordplay on Leah’s experience and hopes.

Genesis 29:31–30:24

  • The rivalry between these sisters explains much of the later conflict among their sons, and then among the tribes. This is similar to how Jacob and Laban's rivalry predicted future conflicts between Israel and the Arameans of Damascus (2 Samuel 8:5–6; 10:8–19; 1 Kings 20:1–34; 2 Kings 5:1–8:29; 13:1–25; Isaiah 7:1–9).

  • God fights for the cause of the poor and oppressed. He honored Leah, the despised first wife, by making her the first mother. Judah's royal tribe and Levi's priestly line came from her. This was despite Jacob's favoritism for Rachel and her children.

    Despite the tension and jealousy resulting from Laban’s deceit and Jacob’s favoritism, God still grew Jacob’s family and brought about the births of the tribal ancestors.

Genesis 29:1–31:55

  • These chapters describe how God fulfilled his promise by greatly blessing Jacob with a family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction.

  • The story of Jacob and Laban is similar to Israel's later stay in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the 12 tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of 12 large tribes and escaping with great riches.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Jacob Leah Rachel Infertility Symbolic Numbers

People

Leah: Wife of Jacob; mother of six sons and Dinah Rachel: Wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bilhah (Person) Birthright Ebla Tablets Genealogy Genesis, Book of Jacob Leah Maid, Maiden Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Barren Women Family: Infelicity In of Jacob, the Bigamic Jealousy Between Leah and Rachel Jacob: Descendants of Leah: Children of Polygamy: Domestic Unhappiness in Jacob's Family Rachel: Sterility of Wife: Hated