Keraia
Genesis 29

Genesis 29:32

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

Translations

Modern
And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”
Traditional
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
Literal
And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Surely YHWH has looked on my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”
Latin
Quæ conceptum genuit filium, vocavitque nomen ejus Ruben, dicens: Vidit Dominus humilitatem meam: nunc amabit me vir meus.

Original

Hebrew
English
And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”

Notes

Genesis 29:32

The LORD has seen my affliction: The name Reuben (from the Hebrew re’uben) sounds like the Hebrew phrase ra‘ah be‘onyi, which means “he has seen my affliction.” Leah felt that God had seen her suffering and had comforted her when her son was born, and she hoped that Jacob would now love her.

Jacob did not notice her suffering, but God did (compare 16:14; 24:62; 25:11). The name was a reminder of God’s care and help.

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 Symbolic Numbers

Events

People

Leah: Wife of Jacob; mother of six sons and Dinah Reuben: Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah

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 Reuben (Person) Reuben, Tribe of

Topics

Childlessness: A Reproach Children: The Gift of God 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 Reuben: Son of Jacob Thankfulness: To God of Leah the Tribe of Reuben: Descended from Jacob's First Son Wife: Hated