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. Leahs eyes, in their views, were either weak in power or color (Kidner) or in sparkle or fire (Wenham). You will find abundance in your relationship with the Lord. So, he puts on a wedding feast (29:22), making it look as though he is fulfilling his end of the bargain. 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. Laban has instead placed Leah in Jacobs arms instead of the sought-after Rachel. He continued to pursue her heart, even if no one else did. In Hebrews 11:17-18 CSB, it says Your (Abrahams) offspring will be called through Isaac.. 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. Can you imagine how adored and treasured that made Rachel feel? After seven years, the wedding finally arrives, and the veiled bride eventually becomes Jacobs wife. We meet great leaders and evil kings. 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. The 66 books of the Bible list is a very handy printable when you read the Bible. As I age, I have the grey hair coming in, the smile lines, and even some bags under my eyes. Connect with Leah on Facebook and Instagram (@leahlivelyblog). 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. Through her sons Levi and Judah, she is thus the matriarch of both the priestly (Levite) and royal (Judahite) tribes in Israel. Today and in biblical times, contentment is not a prevalent quality. NASB And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance. **ATTENTION: Dear readers, as of late 2022, special-edition Q&A article #1000 is still in development. Laban is willing to give Rachel's hand to Jacob as long as he works seven years for her. And they rule out some bad ideas that occur to me (or to others). In Genesis 29, we meet Leah. It can be clear that Jacobs favoring of Rachel was taken by Leah as a clear sign of rejection. The story of Leah's family is recorded in Genesis 2535. Zavada, Jack. In Samuel 16:7 CSB, when the prophet Samuel anoints David over his older and stronger brothers as God instructs him not to look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. 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. What does Anathema Maranatha mean in 1 Corinthians 16:22? 1 She conceived a son,. Previous Post: The story of Leah in the Bible . Mark Ward (PhD, Bob Jones University) is Senior Editor for Digital Content at Word by Word, the official Logos blog. As an Amazon Associate, as well as an affiliate of other programs, this means if you purchase something using these links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you! (NIV), Genesis 49:29-31Then he gave them these instructions: I am about to be gathered to my people. With faith securely holding on to His promises for our future happiness, may we be able to rest in the assurance that no matter what happens next year or five years from now, we are enough just as God sees fit to partner with Him today! Create an account or log in to get started. 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. Leah had not conceived for a while, and the plant, whose roots resemble the human body, was thought to be an aid to fertility. [19] She is thought to be buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron alongside Jacob. This book was named from the author who was an eye witness to Jesus's life and ministry. You pray for something over and over again. Before we dive into some lessons we can learn from Leah in the Bible, lets review her story. (2021, December 6). Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. While Jacob may have settled for Leah, Leah herself doesnt settle. So lonely was she that even the Lord took notice of it and blessed her with many children as consolation. 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. [17], Each woman also continually questioned whether she was doing enough in her personal efforts toward increased spirituality, and would use the other's example to spur herself on. Despite Rachel's infertility, Jacob still favored Rachel over her. 18 Then Leah said, "God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.". You can discuss this post and others in the Faithlife Today group. Forhe has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. We dont know. We must rejoice, pray, and give thanks for who God is not based on our current circumstances. 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. When Jacob arrives in Haran, he meets the younger sister, Rachel at a well. Zavada, Jack. This page/post may contain affiliate links. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. 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. Was Leah visually impaired? 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. After seven years, the wedding arrives, and the veiled bride finally becomes Jacobs wife. Focus your attention solely on Him as He gives you all that matters mostcontentment! 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. Perhaps having poor eyesight was itself considered unattractive in Jacob's day? In 1 Samuel, when the prophet Samuel anoints David over his older and stronger brothers as God instructs him not to not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. God had a special place in his heart for Leah. 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. Until further notice, this website will not be receiving further updates. In biblical times, women had little control over their lives. He had seen Rachel and had been impressed that she was the one. Disagree as little as possible with the translations in your peoples laps.). Berean Standard Bible Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Leah was a loving and faithful wife. 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. Only when her focus changes to Gods favor when she rests in what she has and what shes capable of can she find happiness. (NIV), Genesis 29:31When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah, whose name signifies languor, weariness, had dull bleared eyes. Then Leah said, God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons. So she called his nameZebulun.Afterward, she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah. 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. 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.. This fits just fine with the traditional KJV rendering of tender, which could be positive or negative. 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. The battle between the two sisters comes to a head when Reuben finds mandrakes. Fearful of his brother's wrath, Jacob flees his homeland for Haran, where he meets his maternal family, including Laban and his daughters. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise theLord. Therefore she called his nameJudah. It is based on the word root Hodaah, connoting Give Thanks, Praise.. Therethey buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leahthe field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last, andwas gathered to his people. 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). One day, Leah's firstborn son Reuben returned from the field with mandrakes for his mother. Due to the extreme emotional distress suffered by both Leah (and Rachel) during the marriage, Yahweh later strictly clarified his opposition to uncovering the nakedness of a woman and her sister while both were still living (Genesis 30:1, Leviticus 18:18). Many of the stories about Leah in the Bible center around her turbulent relationship with her sister, Rachel, as they are both Jacobs wives. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. Her second son she named Simeon (the Lord has heard that I am hated). Its then that God demonstrates howHefaithfully cherishes andHefaithfully pursues. Even though her husband Jacob favored Rachel, Leah remained committed, enduring this unfairness through faith in God. 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). God does not love us because we are beautiful or handsome, brilliant or successful. In a selfish world, contentment is not a quality that is popular in the Bible or on social media today. It is through Leah's story that the Torah teaches us: open your eyes to the pain of those quietly suffering. While Leah and Rachel competed for Jacobs attention, Leah is honored in her death as the first wife of Jacob. Whatever she lacked in her marriage the world received a gift of a Savior through the abundant blessing of God. They felt what they experienced firsthand and were on receiving end themselves. She may not have been Jacobs choice, but she was chosen by God to play a role in the birth of Savior of the world. When he meets the stunning shepherdess, Jacob is overcome with joy. 1 Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, went out to see the young women of the land. Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. [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 God hearkens to Leah's tears and prayers and allows her to marry Jacob even before Rachel does. and I apply my lovely hands to fashion CSB Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 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. God designed women to be pursued. It is interesting to realize that the ugly wife actually contributed more to the formation of the nation Israel than the beautiful one! The blessing we see in Leahs life is that her dependence on Jacobs love and attention slowly turns toward God. 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. Her story illustrates that God often chooses to fulfill his plans and purposes by using those who are overlooked by others. Indeed, it violates the first rule they teach you at Bible-teaching school: Dont comment on the physical appearance of particular women. But all of this is just part of his "seven year" plan. 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. Wouldnt you? Leah's "soft" eyes are eventually mirrored in the eyes of the earthly Jesus. When he met Rachel, he fell in love with her at first sight. Leah's life as Jacob's wife was distressful. When Rachel saw thatshe bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. See Genesis chapters 29-30. Sadly, can you imagine how that made Leah feel? When theLordsaw that Leah washated,he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob. The Bible does not give us many details about Leah. And Leah said,Good fortune has come! so she called his nameGad.Leahs servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. The name "Leah" () means 'weary'. In the light of day and the absence of a veil, the following day, the truth is revealed. Even the Lord has heard that I am about to be gathered my... 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