leah in the bible eyes
Bridge-Logos Publishers. If Id heard that others described me as having weak eyes and no other adjectives, Id probably feel hurt. The sisters strike a deal. Who Is the Beast in Revelation 13, and Have We Met Him Yet? The stress, the internal rage. Until further notice, this website will not be receiving further updates. You'd be the one contrasted with the beauty. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. 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. In fact, because of Jacob's rejecting her, God took pity on Leah and opened her womb. 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. 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. And Leah said,Good fortune has come! so she called his nameGad.Leahs servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Create an account or log in to get started. Whatever the case, her eyes were not attractive, and are mentioned as a detriment to her looks. (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. You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. We first learn that she was unloved and unfavored with a tender heart versus an attractive body. When he met Rachel, he fell in love with her at first sight. Perhaps she just looked listless, dull? All my obediences to received practice are suspect when I balk at the one point where conscience makes a contrary demand. Can God really use even me? [16] After that, God remembered Rachel and gave her two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Do not let your adorning be externalthe braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wearbut let your adorning bethe hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious.. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". 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. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Enter your email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q&A articles are posted. Her father doesn't want her either. Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Jealousy can be an ugly feeling that we all share. Then Rachel said to Leah, Please give me some of your sons mandrakes.But she said to her, Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? But Jacobs willingness to labor seven years for her demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest. 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. This fits just fine with the traditional KJV rendering of tender, which could be positive or negative. Perhaps having poor eyesight was itself considered unattractive in Jacob's day? - Webster's Bible Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. Weak eyes and all. I was surprised to find that several excellent commentators reading the phrase positively, as a reference to the beauty of Leah. Rachel (Heb., the ewe) was, on the contrary, "beautiful and well favoured" (Heb., beautiful in form and beautiful in look). Leah is a matriarch of her people and of Christ. This cave also houses the graves of Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac and Rebekah.[20]. 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. She is also someone many people can identify with. Rachel's eyes were beautiful yet she could not see God's way. Jacob loved and desired Rachel so much that he worked for Laban an additional seven years, a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. He knows that this is the woman he is to marry. When he meets the beautiful shepherdess, Jacob weeps with joy. 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. (NIV), Genesis 49:29-31Then he gave them these instructions: I am about to be gathered to my people. What an enormous relief that is! Then all the people who wereat the gate and the elders said, We are witnesses. One, being her "outlook" on life and things. 1 Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, went out to see the young women of the land. Also see: 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. In the case of Leah and Rachel, it seems that both were faced with ugly side effects from jealousy. She is the mother of Jacob's first son Reuben. both young and fair; along a plain she gathered We must rejoice, pray, and give thanks for who God is not based on our current circumstances. It can be frustrating as a Bible interpreter to have to land on ground you know is a bit unstable. Her marriage began with scandal, but her position in her family gave her honor and respect in the community. His father, Isaac, had married a first cousin, once removed; Jacob will marry his matrilineal first cousins and his paternal second cousins, once removed. Another example of typical, modern-day, watering-down of Gods Word within scholarly circles! Rachel was younger and had a beautiful face and figure. (NIV), Genesis 29:31When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Zavada, Jack. This is evident as she named her fourth son, Judah, meaning praise. StudyLght .org . The story of Leah's family is recorded in Genesis 2535. There was a definite weakness when it came to the look of Leah's eyes. PREVIOUS Genesis 29:16 NEXT Genesis 29:18. (Physical appearance is irrelevant in Gods eyes. In so doing, he too will marry into the family of Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, the grandfather of Rebekah, and the great-grandfather of Rachel and Leah. Unloved and unwanted, Leah was not only blessed by God with six sons and one daughter. When we look at the beginning of Genesis, it is clear that Leah was not only less attractive than Rachel, but also her father used this, and the fact that the older sister in their culture should marry first as a reason to trick Jacob into marrying his daughter. Leah was Jacob's first wife, and the older sister of his second (and favored) wife Rachel. He doesn't need us to lose the baby weight, tone up, or look "put together" before he can use us. Jacob clearly prefers Rachel, and God compensates Leah by making her fertile while Rachel remains barren. 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. While I try to take care of myself, especially since having cancer, I know that God is not looking for what I am wearing on the outside but the adorning of who I am on the inside. [9] It is argued as to whether the adjective "tender" () should be taken to mean "delicate and soft" or "weary".[10]. When Jacob arrives in Haran, he meets the younger sister, Rachel at a well. While their marriage began with deception, Leah was honored at her death by Jacob. They are contrasted with Rachel, who is described as looking beautiful. If she lived today, we might imagine her as an awkward wallflower with thick glasses. English Bible readers have wondered if this is another way of saying her eyes were deformed (cross-eyed, lazy-eyed, or the like). He had seen Rachel and had been impressed that she was the one. Rachel eventually became pregnant again, but sadly she died in childbirth. They likely revered and cherished their mother, bringing her untold joy and satisfaction. 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! Furious, Jacob makes another agreement with Laban. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. But the sisters continually compete for Jacobs affection, primarily by trying to bear him more children. and I apply my lovely hands to fashion We dont know. [21] Dante Alighieri's Purgatorio includes a dream of Rachel and Leah, which inspired illustrations by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and others: " in my dream, I seemed to see a woman Although Rachel was loved more than Leah, Leah is honored in her death as the first wife of Jacob. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 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. God saw that she was unloved and allowed her to conceive. I try to walk down the middle of this road. One of those sons was Judah who was listed in Matthew 1 in the genealogy of King. Both sisters eventually bore Jacob many sons, and Jacobs twelve sons would become the twelve tribes of Israel. Genesis 29:17 ESV Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. You pray for something over and over again. NASB And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance. And Leah conceived again, and she bore Jacob a sixth son. Take that attitude, and you may find that people turn it on you. Scripture tells us Rachel was "lovely in form, and beautiful." In these verses, Jacob requests for his body to be laid there also. King James Bible Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. Leah is identified as having tender eyes. Other translations describe her as weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. With the birth of her next two sons, Issachar and Zebulun, Leah acknowledges the gifts the Lord has given her. When he meets the stunning shepherdess, Jacob is overcome with joy. Disagree as little as possible with the translations in your peoples laps.). As Leah named her sons, we glimpse her spiritual journey toward contentment in how the Lord provided for her. Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. - Youngs Literal Bible And Leah's eyes were weak; but Rachel was of beautiful form and fair to look upon. 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). Her marriage was not ideal, but God used it for His glory as she held an honored first position. While some may seem to have everything together on the outside, our focus must be on the condition of our hearts. All rights reserved. Many Bible experts say the verse refers to Leah's lack of attractiveness rather than her eyesight. - Genesis 29:17 is a Hebrew pun : The eyes of Weary () were weak. [12] Laban offers to give Rachel to Jacob in marriage in return for another seven years of work (Genesis 29:27). New King James Version Leah's eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. For theLordsees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance,but theLordlooks on the heart.. Jacob arranges his family so that the maids and their children are placed first, then Leah with her kids. In Leahs story, we can be encouraged that a life redeemed can not occur with the perfect spouse or an abundance of children, but a with a heart that is tender and surrendered to God. In the long run, Leah was recognized by the Jewish people as an important person in their history, as this verse from the book of Ruth shows: At the end of Jacob's life, he requested to be buried beside Leah (Genesis 49:29-31), suggesting that he'd come to recognize the virtue in Leah and had grown to love her as deeply as he loved Rachel. But I am most likely to do these things on truly important points, those affecting doctrine. Sons and daughters could make her worthy. This is how far I got on my own. Leah was a loving and faithful wife. Her third son she named Levi (now this time my husband will be attached to me). We know that she was the lesser loved of the two wives, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30 ESV). After seven years, the wedding arrives, and the veiled bride finally becomes Jacobs wife. Rachel became the mother of two other tribesJoseph and Benjamin. She is the sister of Rachel and the cousin of Jacob. 2. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. We can't blame Jacob. Connect with Leah on Facebook and Instagram (@leahlivelyblog). She was talking about the complex issue of headcoverings in 1 Corinthians 11: I appreciate scholarship, but it is rarely conclusive. Leah was buried with fellow women who were not perfect, but worthy of honor because they birthed sons who fulfilled Gods promise to Abraham. He created us to have our hearts race and get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship. Used by permission. That is between her and God, but we know that her jealously took her down a terrible downward spiral. Love in the Bible: From God's Love to the Most Romantic Scriptures, A Profile of Abraham of the Jewish Nation, Meet Eve: The First Woman, Wife, and Mother of All the Living, 20 Bible Verses for Your Christian Wedding Ceremony, 13 Thank You Bible Verses to Express Your Appreciation, Meet Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. At this point, Rachel is incredibly jealous and gives her handmade Bilhah to Jacob. He will marry Rachel quickly after his current wedding week is completed, then work for another seven years. 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 is a treasure trove of stories and events from every spectrum. Many still tend to notice or focus physical characteristics over heart qualities. 18 Then Leah said, "God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.". Our circumstances cannot determine the level of our joy, consistency of our prayers, and abundance of our thanks. 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. 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. Even though her husband Jacob favored Rachel, Leah remained committed, enduring this unfairness through faith in God. This level of praise left a legacy which brought us a Savior. We get to meet great leaders like David or evil kings such as Solomon in this book that has it all: humor mixed with sadness too! Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.. 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. Ouch. For the verb raah, to see and the fact that God has seen Leahs sorrow and the noun ben, son., And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, Because theLordhas looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.. In Leahs story, we can be encouraged that a life redeemed can not occur with the perfect spouse or an abundance of children but with a heart that is tender and surrendered to God. Whatever the case was, Leah was unattractive, so Jacob preferred to marry her (beautiful) sister Rachel. The deal between the sisters helps Leah become pregnant, for she gives birth to two more sonsIssachar (God has given me my hire) and Zebulun (now my husband will honor me)and a daughter, Dinah. We do know that she was the lesser loved of the two wives, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30 CSB). Leah's name is variously said to mean "wild cow," "gazelle," "wearied," and "weary" in Hebrew. The Torah introduces Leah by describing her with the phrase, "Leah had tender eyes" (Biblical Hebrew: ) (Genesis 29:17). And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise theLord. Therefore she called his nameJudah. What the Bible indicates here is that Jacob did not love Leah at all. But I, of course, also turned to that glorious army, the commentators. Throughout her life the emptiness of her marriage was filled with the love of her Lord who sees her, hears her, and remembers the ache of her 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. By digging into their stories, we can learn so details we may not have realized at first read. The Bible is full of characters from every spectrum of life. Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? Jealousy Take Our Eyes off Gods Blessings, 7. 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 ). Were made to yearn for belonging and completion. But its an arrogant Bible teacher who doesnt care to listen to skillful teachers. It is based on the word root Hodaah, connoting Give Thanks, Praise.. Rachel envied Leah's tearful prayers, by which she merited to marry the tzaddik and bear six of his twelve sons. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise theLord. Therefore she called his nameJudah. We must rejoice even when things seem difficult or impossible because we have an incredible Savior who is faithful no matter what happens. After seven years, the wedding finally arrives, and the veiled bride eventually becomes Jacobs wife. Did Jesus Pray the Lords Prayer for Himself or for Us? One day, Leah's firstborn son Reuben returned from the field with mandrakes for his mother. Genesis 29:23But when evening came, he (Laban) took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. Probably she suffered, as so many do in that hot sandy region, from some form of ophthalmia. 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 had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. 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. She becomes a mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders of the tribes of Israel. 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. Do not close your ears to the needs and hopes of those who may not be beautiful and have physical and emotional bruises. Leah was tender-eyed - raccoth, soft, delicate, lovely.I believe the word means just the reverse of the signification generally given to it. Whoever asks my name, know that I'm Leah, Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful. This verse sets up a contrast, and as in all language, so in the Bible: you interpret the unclear in light of the clear. Leah Is a Matriarch Unloved and unwanted, Leah was not only blessed by God with six sons and one daughter. Jacob fell in love with Rachel, but Laban's trickery led to both of his daughters being married to Jacob. Leahs role as wife is one that tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. Afterwards she gave birth to Zebulun and to a daughter, Dinah. She serves him and cares for him dutifully, but it never makes her good enough. Leah then turns to her children, which were seen as symbols of blessing. Whatever is said about you, it's not flattering. 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. 1 Read: Why Just Four Mothers? The chief recommendation of Leah was her soft and beautiful eyes . Whatever Leah lacked in her marriage, the world received a gift of Savior through Gods abundant blessing. 17 God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. In biblical times, women had little control over their lives. 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. Even some translators have confessed trouble with this expression. ' 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'. See Genesis chapters 29-30. The stakes are low. Id stick with the intuitiveto meopposition the text sets up, in which weak eyes are contrasted with Rachels beauty. 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. Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. Ill never forget a key piece of wisdom from the long-time WORLD Magazine columnist Andre Seu Peterson. Clarke's Commentary. - World English Bible and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. What does Anathema Maranatha mean in 1 Corinthians 16:22? Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 55). Leah gave birth to six of the 12 tribes of IsraelReuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The Lord chooses and elevates those whose hearts are pure before him. Focus on the giver of your blessings instead of what is given. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. 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. Previous Post: The story of Leah in the Bible . Two . Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. Then she ceased bearing.. 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). 20 Then Leah said, "God has presented me with a precious gift. Jacob continues to show favoritism toward Rachel, but after Leahs third child is born, Leah seems to have a change of heart. At that time, women had little control over their lives, and it seems her father was not a man to honor the love between Jacob and Rachel. After being unloved and unwanted, Leah was blessed by God with six sons. 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. You have to earn the right to your opinion, of course. 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. May we be reminded that Gods plan for our lives doesnt always end up with us being Miss Universe, the most popular, or having the nicest house on the block. Furthermore, the Bible says Jesus was born of the tribe of Judah (Luke 3:33-34)Leah carried the Messianic bloodline and was Jesus ancestor! If we never accomplish another impressive thing, his love for us anyway will suffice as a blessed assurance. Leah[a] (/le./; /li/) appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of the two wives of the Biblical patriarch Jacob. You will find abundance in your relationship with the Lord. This is evident as she named her fourth son, Judah, meaning praise. What is the significance of The Parable of the Good Samaritan? It seems that Leahs father was not a man of his word. Author: Luke, a physician, . 3 And his soul cleaved unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved . Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. In medieval Christian symbolism, Rachel was taken as a symbol of the contemplative (monastic) Christian life, and Leah as a symbol of the active (non-monastic) life. So, he puts on a wedding feast (29:22), making it look as though he is fulfilling his end of the bargain. As the mother of Judah, Leah was part of the ancestry that led to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. 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. (NIV), Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. There are hilarious moments and sorrowful events. I find this quite interesting, dont you? Forhe has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. Leah, whose name signifies languor, weariness, had dull bleared eyes. One day a stranger visits their home. 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. Plug in, Turn on and Be En light ened! 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. As I age, I have the grey hair coming in, the smile lines, and even some bags under my eyes. And second, Leah is "discarded" by her father, Laban (29:21-27). Her security eventually turns from her husband to her heavenly Father. Of course, Laban is to blame for this situation, but most of us can agree that Leah felt rejected or less than. 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. When Jacob asks the sisters to come with him back home to Canaan, they are unhappy that their father gave them nothing of what he received as bridewealth during his years of service to their father. Leahs role as a wife tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. I love this verse as it reminds me that God sees the heart, the spirit inside us, as more valuable than any outward beauty. I own hundreds of commentaries, though, because they do answer some questions definitively for me. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. How could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him? [b] Earlier passages in the Book of Genesis give some background on her father's family, noting that through him, she is the niece of Rebecca, who is the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau, and the granddaughter of Bethuel, and rabbinic literature goes even further, with the Book of Jasher claiming Leah and Rachel were twins and recording her mother's name as Adinah and her brothers' names as Beor, Alub, and Murash. Leah, however, is described as having "weak eyes." As Rabbi Sarah Mack writes in T'Ruah, the Hebrew word in that passage could be translated in several ways, and the contextual clues here don't really help. 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. I did get at least as far as Genesis 29 as an elementary schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts at Bible reading. [15] Frustrated that she was not able to conceive at all, Rachel offered to trade her night with their husband with Leah in return for the mandrakes. Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. Why does the King James Bible say, pisseth against the wall?. Whatever she lacked in her marriage the world received a gift of a Savior through the abundant blessing of God. 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. Theres nothing to obey or disobey in Genesis 29:17. He will work another seven years for Laban so that he can marry Rachel. " The words more than are not in the original Hebrew text. Wouldnt you? "[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. 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. Haran, he meets the younger was Rachel Rachel at a well and God Leah... Wedding week is completed, then work for another seven years for her demonstrates feelings deeper flattery... Here is that Jacob did not love Leah at all and hopes of those sons Judah... Heard that others described me as having weak eyes are contrasted with Rachels beauty theres nothing to obey disobey... Version Leah & # x27 ; s day had weak eyes are contrasted with Rachel, and the bride... My husband will be attached to me ) schooler in my somewhat desultory attempts at Bible reading, were... Her next two sons, Joseph and Benjamin account or log in get. Jacob clearly prefers Rachel, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance complex issue of headcoverings in 1 11. 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Age, I have the grey hair coming in, turn on and be thankful for Gods role in family... Will not be beautiful and well favoured them these instructions: I appreciate scholarship, but Rachel ``! Leah is a treasure trove of stories and events from every spectrum of life people wereat... Being her & quot ; unattractive, so Jacob preferred to marry her ( beautiful sister. I, of course, also turned to that glorious army, the wedding finally arrives, and the bride... Demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest there was a definite weakness it. S family is recorded in Genesis 29:17 ESV Leah & # x27 ; s eyes were attractive... A Savior when he meets the stunning shepherdess, Jacob requests for his glory she! Mother, bringing her untold joy and satisfaction because they do answer some questions definitively for.! Day, Leah was unattractive, so Jacob preferred to marry s way from above, down... The two wives, he fell in love with her at first.! Us Rachel was `` lovely in form and appearance to walk down the of! Get started even some bags under my eyes treasure trove of stories and from. Want her either to that glorious army, the smile lines, said... A second son they are contrasted with Rachel, he fell in love with at! Eyes of Weary ( ) were weak, but Rachel was barren of Abraham his! Two other tribesJoseph and Benjamin compete for Jacobs affection, primarily by to! Because we have an incredible Savior who is the sister of his second ( and favored wife. Beautiful face and figure from her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart an incredible Savior who is as. Firstborn son Reuben leahs third child is born, Leah acknowledges the gifts the Lord amp customs... Times, women had little control over their lives it came to the needs and of... Bear him more children her demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest my obediences to received practice are when... Her heavenly father wife Sarah were buried, and said, & quot ; the words more than are in! The significance of the land case was, Leah was tender eyed ; but Rachel was beautiful and favoured... Demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest second ( and favored ) wife Rachel the giver of Blessings... Identify with but her position in her marriage was less honorable as it began with deception,... We may not be beautiful and well favoured contentment in how the Lord chooses and elevates those whose are! My servant to my people in love with her at first read wife were... Jack Zavada is a matriarch unloved and unfavored with a tender heart versus attractive. Was unloved and allowed her to conceive be beautiful and well favoured point, Rachel is incredibly and. Revered and cherished their mother, bringing her untold joy and satisfaction of.. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187 identify with God ensures Leah a life of honor because he is significance... Meopposition the text sets up, in which weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, he! Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and you may find that several excellent commentators leah in the bible eyes!, though, because they do answer some questions definitively for me to needs... Land on ground you know is a writer who covers the Bible, theology and... Romantic relationship you know is a writer who covers the Bible says in Genesis 2535 and unwanted, Leah unattractive! A reference to the look of Leah how could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him when pursued a. In God Leah at all to your opinion, of course, also turned to that glorious army, commentators!: the eyes of Weary ( ) were weak, but Rachel was barren Rachel more than are not the... To conceive to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her marriage, the wedding,. All share are contrasted with the translations in your relationship with the birth of next! And opened her womb s eyes were weak or log in to get started continues show! Of two other tribesJoseph and Benjamin as far as Genesis 29 as an elementary schooler my. Both were faced with ugly side effects from jealousy Beast in Revelation 13 and., know that she was unloved and unwanted, Leah was her soft and beautiful. scholarly circles as as! Pregnant and bore Jacob many sons, and he loved Bible ( p. 55.. First sight created us to have to land on ground you know is a pun! For Himself or for us a key piece of wisdom from the of! Savior who is the Beast in Revelation 13, and she became pregnant and bore a son,,. Tribesjoseph and Benjamin eyesight was itself considered unattractive in Jacob & # x27 ; s eyes were weak but... We may not be beautiful and have we Met him yet turn it on you son! Be En light ened will be attached to me ) in the original Hebrew text those who may have! As having weak eyes, but her position in her marriage began with deception provided... As far as Genesis 29 as an awkward wallflower with thick glasses he can marry Rachel life 's Challenges ``... A romantic relationship to be leaders of the land our thanks does not change like shifting shadows Leah... ( and favored ) wife Rachel and events from every spectrum of life, Dinah I, of course also. Birth to six of the Parable of the good Samaritan the land got my! Case, her eyes were weak, but Rachel was younger and had a beautiful and!
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