Learn how your comment data is processed. However, Leah's eyes were weak from crying, for she feared that she would have to be married to the wicked Esau. Then she ceased bearing. Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. Leah gave birth to six of the 12 tribes of IsraelReuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. CSB Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 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. 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. 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 question is this: When push comes to shove, do I go with Christian peer pressure or with Gods Word as I see it? Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons We Can Learn from Leah in the Bible, 6. 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. 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. 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. But the God of my fatherhas been with me. 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. As Leah named her sons, we glimpse her spiritual journey toward contentment in how the Lord provided for her. Many still tend to notice or focus physical characteristics over heart qualities. Another example of typical, modern-day, watering-down of Gods Word within scholarly circles! To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. 17 God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. (2021, December 6). Was Leah visually impaired? She Was the Elder Daughter of Laban But its an arrogant Bible teacher who doesnt care to listen to skillful teachers. The older daughter (Leah) will marry the older son (Esau), and the younger daughter (Rachel) will marry the younger son (Jacob). According to this story, Leah was destined to marry Jacob's older twin brother, Esau. Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. Her father doesn't want her either. Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. She is also someone many people can identify with. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. I was surprised to find that several excellent commentators reading the phrase positively, as a reference to the beauty of Leah. We can point to the naming of her sons and how she hopes to gain favor through birthing them. 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. Take that attitude, and you may find that people turn it on you. Whatever she lacked in her marriage the world received a gift of a Savior through the abundant blessing of God. Through no fault of her own, she was not one of the "beautiful people" and it caused her a lifetime of heartache. When he met Rachel, he fell in love with her at first sight. Her marriage began with scandal, but her role in her family gave her honor and respect in the community. 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. 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). Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. She said to Jacob, Give me children, or I shall die!. Then she stopped bearing." (Gen. 28:32-35). One of those six was Judah, who is listed in Matthew 1 as part of the genealogy for King David, and finally Jesus Christ himself! They likely revered and cherished their mother, bringing her untold joy and satisfaction. - Genesis 29:17 is a Hebrew pun : The eyes of Weary () were weak. They would rather change the offensive precious words of God than insult Leah! Oh, Leah in the Bible! But today, his eyes are a flame of fire as he awaits the appointed time for his return to Planet Earth.. 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. Until further notice, this website will not be receiving further updates. Did Jesus Pray the Lords Prayer for Himself or for Us? It can be clear that Jacobs favoring of Rachel was taken by Leah as a clear sign of rejection. and I apply my lovely hands to fashion Several, including the well-regarded CSB, stick with the KJVs tender. But others try a different tack, with weak being probably the most popular choice (NIV, ESV, NASB). Leah will give Rachel the mandrakes in return for a night with Jacob. Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations). Bridge-Logos Publishers. NIV Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. [16] After that, God remembered Rachel and gave her two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Leah becomes Jacob's wife through a deception on the part of her father, Laban. I listen to the teachers, but I have to teach the text as I see it. 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. Two Men Encounter the Bible from Very Different Circumstances. But listen for the one odd figure of speech Moses uses in this litany of feminine pulchritude (or the lack thereof): Now Laban had two daughters. 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. 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.". To add to the big name parade, Waltke agrees with Wenham. We know that she was the lesser loved of the two wives, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30 ESV). 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. 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. 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. One of those sons was Judah who was listed in Matthew 1 in the genealogy of King. This post is loaded with all kinds of Bible lists . Jacob fell in love with Rachel, but Laban's trickery led to both of his daughters being married to Jacob. ), SUPPLEMENTAL: MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS AND DIFFICULT GENESIS 29:17. Her third son she named Levi (now this time my husband will be attached to me). Leah gives birth to two more sons after this, Issachar and Zebulun, and to Jacob's only daughter, Dinah. When Jacob arrives in Haran, he meets the younger sister, Rachel at a well. God had compassion on her and allowed her to become pregnant. NASB And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance. In the time of her trials, Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. Leah bore more children, a highly honored achievement in ancient Israel. Unconditionally. This page/post may contain affiliate links. Ouch. The Lord saw Leahs rejection and knew what having sons would mean to her and her quest for being loved by her husband. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. Her marriage was not ideal, but God used it for His glory as she held an honored first position. Two . At some level, we can all relate to the depressing comparison that Leah felt. In fact, because of Jacob's rejecting her, God took pity on Leah and opened her womb. 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. In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and foundmandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. While Jacob may have settled for Leah, Leah herself doesnt settle. In biblical times, women had little control over their lives. Both sisters eventually bore Jacob many sons, and Jacobs twelve sons would become the twelve tribes of Israel. flowers, and even as she sang, she said: This is how far I got on my own. 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. And he divided the children unto Leah, and . Leah felt unloved. 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