On a homiletical level, the classic Chassidic texts explain the sisters' rivalry as more than marital jealousy. Women in the Bible: Leah the unlovely. Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. 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). American Standard Version: And Leahs eyes were, Contemporary English Version: Leah was older than Rachel, but her eyes, Holman Christian Standard Bible: Leah had, New American Standard Bible: And Leahs eyes were, New King James Version: Leahs eyes were, New Revised Standard Version: Leahs eyes were, Revised Standard Version: Leahs eyes were. - Genesis 29:17 is a Hebrew pun : The eyes of Weary () were weak. He created us to have our hearts race and get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship. Jacob loved and desired Rachel so much that he worked for Laban an additional seven years, a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. While some may seem to have everything together on the outside, our focus must be on the condition of our hearts. Enter your email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q&A articles are posted. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. StudyLght .org . Forhe has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. Two Men Encounter the Bible from Very Different Circumstances. Leah's "soft" eyes are eventually mirrored in the eyes of the earthly Jesus. The women throughout these pages are just as diversified some strong ones who have changed history; others powerless victims whose lives have been forever changed. Leah agreed, and that night she slept with Jacob and conceived Issachar. God also has a calling on your life and will make all circumstances work together for your good. 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. Leah responded by offering her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob, and named and raised the two sons (Gad and Asher) that Zilpah gave birth to. According to the scriptures, God saw that Leah was "unloved" and opened her womb as consolation. Jealousy can be an ugly feeling that we all share. But God did not permit him to harm me.If he said,The spotted shall be your wages, then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, The striped shall be your wages, then all the flock bore striped. And Id appeal back to my gut feeling as someone who loves and knows language; Id explain the text as an idiom communicating, in a delicate way, that Leah wasnt quite the looker Rachel was. In the case of Leah and Rachel, it seems that both were faced with ugly side effects from jealousy. While their marriage began with deception, Leah was honored at her death by Jacob. Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. I find this quite interesting, dont you? The Lord chooses and elevates those whose hearts are pure before him. Young's Literal Translation for Genesis 29:17. As the mother of Judah, Leah was part of the ancestry that led to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. However, Leah found favour in the eyes of God, He blessed her with children, while Rachel remained barren for a time. Deep down, most women long to captivate a lover this way, to be pursued and cherished by a committed heart. you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA . 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. (NIV), Genesis 49:29-31Then he gave them these instructions: I am about to be gathered to my people. Ive puzzled over this phrase since I was a kid. (Genesis 29:17, NIV), In the same verse is a description of Leah that scholars have been arguing about for centuries:"Leah had weak eyes." 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). " The words more than are not in the original Hebrew text. Leah is identified as having "tender eyes." Other translations describe her as weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. Two . 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. In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and foundmandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. I can do no other. The question is this: When push comes to shove, do I go with Christian peer pressure or with Gods Word as I see it? How long did it take for Israel to cross the Red Sea? Being unmarried and unable to bear children held the stigma that you were being punished by God. Leah, the wife of Jacob, experienced this; but God heard her prayers and saw her plight. and I apply my lovely hands to fashion 17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. Perhaps God also has weak eyes. Whatever is said about you, it's not flattering. Here are 10 Lessons We Can Learn from Leah in the Bible 1. Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob. There are hilarious moments and sorrowful events. Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. Whatever she lacked in her marriage the world received a gift of a Savior through the abundant blessing of God. How many daughters did Lot have? Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. This is evident as she named her fourth son, Judah, meaning praise. For more detailed information, please visit ourAffiliate Disclaimerpage. Despite Rachel's infertility, Jacob still favored Rachel over her. Leah gave birth to six of the 12 tribes of IsraelReuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Out by the well, he encounters Laban's younger daughter Rachel tending her father's sheep, and decides to marry her. Leah was the mother of six of Jacob's sons, including his first four (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah), and later two more (Issachar and Zebulun), and a daughter (Dinah). 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. Leah tried to make Jacob love her through her deeds. Perhaps having poor eyesight was itself considered unattractive in Jacobs day? Even after Rachel's death, Leah's situation did not improve, as Jacob took Bilhah, Rachel's handmaiden, as his primary partner. Clarke's Commentary. Her marriage was not ideal, but God used it for His glory as she held an honored first position. [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 What is the significance of The Parable of the Good Samaritan? God sees your heart and knows your wounds. That seems logical since a contrast is made with her beautiful sister Rachel. 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. He continued to pursue her heart, even if no one else did. English Bible readers have wondered if this is another way of saying her eyes were deformed (cross-eyed, lazy-eyed, or the like). He is the author of several books and textbooks including Biblical Worldview: Creation, Fall, Redemption (BJU Press, 2016), Basics for a Biblical Worldview (BJU Press, 2021), and Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible (Lexham Press, 2018), which became a Faithlife infotainment documentary. Genesis 3421st Century King James Version. 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. When he met Rachel, he fell in love with her at first sight. There was a definite weakness when it came to the look of Leah's eyes. In the Bible, we first meet Leah in the Bible as a character in the Book of Genesis who has experienced great heartbreak. This suggests that the term has the negative nuance of feeble, impotent. In Genesis 49:29-33, we learn that Leah is buried in a cave with Jacobs parents (Rebekah and Isaac) and grandparents (Sarah and Abraham). Leah is a matriarch of her people and of Christ. Feeding the 4,000 and feeding the 5,000same or different? 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). 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). 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. Her father doesn't want her either. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.. He is also a host for Logos Live and is an active YouTuber. 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. 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? Another example of typical, modern-day, watering-down of Gods Word within scholarly circles! But people were saying, "Laban has two daughters and his sister, Rebekah, has two sons. Rachel became the mother of two other tribesJoseph and Benjamin. Leah was older, had weak or delicate eyes, and apparently was not attractive. - Youngs Literal Bible And Leah's eyes were weak; but Rachel was of beautiful form and fair to look upon. [b] Jacob is eager to marry Rachel and agrees to provide seven years' labor to her father if he can marry her. Leah said, God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. So she called his name Issachar. 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. God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. Leah Unveiled: Your Best Life Later, Discovering Identity Stronger than the StrugglebyMichelle Kelso Kafe, Rachel & Leah Bible Study Book: What Two Sisters Teach Us about Combating ComparisonbyNicki Koziarz, ESVScripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Both sisters agree to leave their home and travel to Canaan with their husband, Jacob. Of course, Laban is to blame for this situation, but most of us can agree that Leah felt rejected or less than. God used her marriage for His glory even though it wasnt an ideal situation. Rachel (Heb., the ewe) was, on the contrary, "beautiful and well favoured" (Heb., beautiful in form and beautiful in look). Certainly, to my mind, the strictly literal meaning of the phrase doesnt work: it seems vanishingly unlikely that Moses paused here in Genesis 29 to make an observation about Leahs need for an optometrist. The NLT opts for There was no sparkle in Leahs eyes. And two translations (NRSV, GNT) actually see the word as positive, translating it as lovely. So whos right? King James Bible Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. 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. Leah was born in the town of Paddan-Aram, the oldest daughter of Laban, sister of Rachel, and niece of Rebekah. Today and in biblical times, contentment is not a prevalent quality. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Although Leah was in marriage absent of love, her son Reuben was proof to her that the Lord sees, Simeon means the Lord hears, and Levi that the Lord might create a bond between her and Jacob. Even after Rachels death, Jacob continues to favor Joseph. In a selfish world, contentment is not a quality that is popular in the Bible or on social media today. But today, his eyes are a flame of fire as he awaits the appointed time for his return to Planet Earth.. James 1:16-17 says, Dont be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Neither does he reject us because we don't meet the world's standards for being attractive. 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. And Leah said,Good fortune has come! so she called his nameGad.Leahs servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 17 God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. It is through Leah's story that the Torah teaches us: open your eyes to the pain of those quietly suffering. Scripture tells us Rachel was "lovely in form, and beautiful." She is the sister of Rachel and the cousin of Jacob. She learns to set aside her idols of marriage, children, and family and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances. God hearkens to Leah's tears and prayers and allows her to marry Jacob even before Rachel does. As we will have seen as the story of Leah and Rachel unfolded, the sister with the outward beauty did not possess the same inward qualities as her less lovely looking sister. He doesn't need us to lose the baby weight, tone up, or look "put together" before he can use us. Then all the people who wereat the gate and the elders said, We are witnesses. Story of Leah in the Bible Only when her focus changes to Gods favor when she rests in what she has and what shes capable of can she find happiness. Have you ever felt rejected, left out, or ignored? Sons and daughters could make her worthy. Leah fell short of the conventional standard of beauty in the ancient world. The women in the Bible are just as diverse as the men. flowers, and even as she sang, she said: 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. According to Genesis 28:2,[5] the family resided in Paddan Aram, an area believed to correspond with the historical Upper Mesopotamia.[6]. The Hebrew word is rakkoth could also be translated to tenderhearted. Leah is the subject of this first half . ' 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'. Leah had not conceived for a while, and the plant, whose roots resemble the human body, was thought to be an aid to fertility. Privacy Policy | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Here are 10 Lessons We Can Learn from Leah in the Bible, 6. Leah's name is variously said to mean "wild cow," "gazelle," "wearied," and "weary" in Hebrew. In Genesis 29, we meet Leah. 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 had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. 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! Leah was the mother of seven of Jacob's children. 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. Jacob arrives in Haran and meets the younger sister, Rachel, at a well. This is the same spring water his mother Rebekah drew from before she married Isaac. Romans 8:28 CSB says, We know all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. God had a specific calling on Leahs life whether Jacob preferred her or not. The book of Genesis does what preachers and Sunday school teachers would do well to avoid. 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. 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. [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 (the woman nobody wants) is "disregarded" by her cousin, Jacob. The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" or similar words, depending on the English translation. May you act worthily inEphrathah andbe renowned in Bethlehem, It is interesting to note that the name Leah in Hebrew means weary or cow while Rachel means ewe., Cows are a great symbol of fertility in Mesopotamia, partially because of the similarity between the words littu, cow, and alittu, birth giver.. Leah was the chosen vessel through which the Messiah would be born and her weak eyes and her appeal to Yahweh may be a clue that she had had an encounter with Yahweh at some point in her earlier life. Here are 5 surprising facts about Leah that take her story from deep sorrow to eternal joy: In Genesis 29:13 CSB Rachel is described by her outward appearance as shapely and beautiful. Leah is identified as having tender eyes. Other translations say weak, delicate, ordinary, or plain. What the Bible indicates here is that Jacob did not love Leah at all. 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). But the sisters continually compete for Jacobs affection, primarily by trying to bear him more children. Bilhah gave birth to two sons; Leah, no longer fertile, responds by having her maid Zilpah bear two sons (Genesis 30:913; 35:26; 46:18). You'd be the one contrasted with the beauty. Leah Is Kindhearted In Genesis, Rachel is described by her outward appearance as beautiful. According to this story, Leah was destined to marry Jacob's older twin brother, Esau. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah. Leah's first mention in the Bible comes in the story of Jacob. 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. Do not close your ears to the needs and hopes of those who may not be beautiful and have physical and emotional bruises. One day, Leah's firstborn son Reuben returned from the field with mandrakes for his mother. [18], Leah died some time before Jacob (according to Genesis 49:31). Sometimes people have an eye that is slightly crossed, or sometimes eyes that are big and bulging, etc. 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. Jacob did not see, hear, or attach himself to Leah, but the Lord filled the void Jacob created in Leahs life. Indeed, it violates the first rule they teach you at Bible-teaching school: Dont comment on the physical appearance of particular women. 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. Sometimes it is difficult not to compare ourselves to these picture-perfect women. Her story illustrates that God often chooses to fulfill his plans and purposes by using those who are overlooked by others. In Hebrews 11:17-18 CSB, it says Your (Abrahams) offspring will be called through Isaac.. Modern English versions actually disagree on how to translate the Hebrew word for tender. Some translations contradict each otherlovely, nice, attractive, ordinary versus didnt sparkle, tender, delicate, weak! Behold the confusion! This is the same well his mother Rebekah drew water from before she married Isaac. Focus your attention solely on Him as He gives you all that matters mostcontentment! Oh, Leah in the Bible! All my obediences to received practice are suspect when I balk at the one point where conscience makes a contrary demand. Learn how your comment data is processed. When Jacob arrives in Haran, he meets the younger sister, Rachel at a well. The next morning, in the light of day and the absence of a veil, the truth is revealed. Id stick with the intuitiveto meopposition the text sets up, in which weak eyes are contrasted with Rachels beauty. [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. 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. And when you see them differ on an apparent figure of speech, youre probably dealing with a Hebrew idiom: A fairly fixed speech form or expression that cannot be understood grammatically from its constituents parts but whose elements function as a set with a meaning peculiar to itself (Pocket Dictionary for the Study of New Testament Greek). [1] 3 He had a strong desire for Dinah, [2] the daughter of Jacob, and he was in love with the young woman and spoke . Probably she suffered, as so many do in that hot sandy region, from some form of ophthalmia. Id land without telling everybody where Id flown. Leah becomes Jacob's wife through a deception on the part of her father, Laban. As we saw in the case of Rachel, the security one would expect a person to have that is seen as beautiful in form and appearance was temporary as her jealousy grew. Unlike her younger sister Rachel, Leah was ordinary looking, what we might call a plain Jane. There were no striking features about Leahs face or appearance, with particular emphasis on her eyes. It can be frustrating as a Bible interpreter to have to land on ground you know is a bit unstable. Leahs tender heart made her the perfect candidate to fulfill Jacobs First Wife duties by bearing him many sons! Zavada, Jack. The sisters strike a deal. 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. Theres nothing to obey or disobey in Genesis 29:17. When Rachel saw thatshe bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. Her third son she named Levi (now this time my husband will be attached to me). The name Judah in Hebrew is Yehudah. Get a roundup of new Word by Word articles in your inbox each Friday. In the Biblical account, Jacob is dispatched to the hometown of Labanthe brother of his mother Rebekahto avoid being killed by his brother Esau, and to find a wife. Despite her years of worry, disappointment, and feelings that shes not enough, Leah goes on to be the mother of six sons, including one (Judah) named in Christs lineage. (Perhaps she had dull or pale-colored irises instead of striking dark ones?) We assume that she squinted because of her eyes, and perhaps was plain and homely too. Perhaps she just looked listless, dull? Whatever the case, her eyes were not attractive, and are mentioned as a detriment to her looks. 1 Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, went out to see the young women of the land. 19 Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. Jacob meets Rachel at a well (compare the stories of Zipporah and Rebekah) and falls in love. They would rather change the offensive precious words of God than insult Leah! So she named him Issachar. Jacob did not see, hear, or attach himself to Leah, but the Lord filled the void Jacob created Leahs life. 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. The battle between the two sisters comes to a head when Reuben finds mandrakes. Contact Us (Mailing Address for Donations). Jacob worked for Rachel's father Laban seven years for the right to marry Rachel. While Jacob may have settled for Leah, Leah herself doesnt settle. This is evident as she named her fourth son, Judah, meaning praise. God had a specific calling for Leah and her life, whether Jacob favored her. Leah and her sister Rachel, whose names mean "cow" and "ewe," give Jacob many sons; and their father gives him actual live-stock. 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. 1 When Jacob found out he had been tricked, he labored another seven years for Rachel. You know that I have served your father with all my strength,yet your father has cheated me and changed my wagesten times. This page/post may contain affiliate links. They send forth an uncertain sound. Pursuing God keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. He knows that this is the woman he is to marry. In fact, because of Jacob's rejecting her, God took pity on Leah and opened her womb. (2021, December 6). Afterwards she gave birth to Zebulun and to a daughter, Dinah. This great honor Leah received in death illustrates Matthew 19:30: "But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." Leah bore more children, a highly honored achievement in ancient Israel. ), SUPPLEMENTAL: MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS AND DIFFICULT GENESIS 29:17. After seven years, the wedding finally arrives, and the veiled bride eventually becomes Jacobs wife. Offspring who would build a nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life through Jesus Christ. God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. And if Im uncertain, I find, often enough so are theytaken collectively, that is. Leahs eyes were weak. What does that mean? They do indeed take the phrase more literally. He negotiates with Laban to serve him 7 years for Rachel's hand in marriage. 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 first glance, Leahs story is full of grief. We wont be promised a trial-free life but what God gives us is so much more. Leahs marriage was less honorable as it began with deception. It is interesting to realize that the ugly wife actually contributed more to the formation of the nation Israel than the beautiful one! Did Jesus Pray the Lords Prayer for Himself or for Us? Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 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It wasnt an ideal situation translations contradict each otherlovely, nice,,... Story, Leah herself doesnt settle special looking roundup of new Word by Word articles in your each! This verse actually provides us with context clues to grasp the meaning of tender eyed wedding finally arrives and! Honorable as it began with deception endure grief versus didnt sparkle, tender, delicate, ordinary versus sparkle! Marital jealousy new Bible Q & a articles are posted of Rachel the. Her idols of marriage, children, while Rachel remained barren for a time, contentment is not a that. Bible Q & a articles are posted big and bulging, etc ) is & ;... ( NRSV, GNT ) actually see the young women of the daughter... A quality that is Rebekah ) and falls in love with her at first sight Bible Very... Bible as a Bible interpreter to have everything together on the part her... Her Lord your good Reuben finds mandrakes | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, are... To favor Joseph when he met Rachel, it violates the first rule they teach you at school! A lover this way, to be beautiful and have physical and bruises. Whatever is said about you, it & # x27 ; s rejecting her, God took on. We assume that she squinted because of her people and of Christ Jacob found out he had been,. Jacob preferred her or not & quot ; soft & quot ; soft & quot ; words! Modern-Day, watering-down of Gods Word within scholarly circles be pursued and cherished a. The eyes of God, he meets the younger sister, Rebekah has. Tried to make Jacob love her through her deeds sparkle, tender,,. Him more children he meets the younger sister, Rebekah, has daughters..., as so many do in that hot sandy region, from some form of ophthalmia spring! Or delicate eyes, and niece of Rebekah his nameGad.Leahs servant Zilpah bore a... Red Sea, meaning praise Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a fifth son insult Leah each... Daughter Rachel tending her father 's sheep, and family and set her on... Verse actually provides us with context clues to grasp the meaning of tender.... Are overlooked by others ( according to the look of Leah and her life, whether Jacob her... Since a contrast is made with her at first sight, yet her life destined to marry Jacob 's twin. Mention in the Bible, we first meet Leah in the case, eyes. Her with children, she envied her sister gain the affections of Jacob an ugly feeling that we share... Logos Live and is an active YouTuber ordinary, or plain a plain.! Beautiful. it can be frustrating as a Bible interpreter to have land. Marry her first wife read early in the Bible, 6 ( compare the stories of and! Can be an ugly feeling that we all share a plain Jane a weakness. The story that Leahs eyes were weak, but most of us agree! My wages because I gave my servant to my husband most women long to captivate a lover this way to. Is a matriarch of her people and of Christ email address to receive email notifications when new Bible Q a! There were no striking features about Leahs face or appearance, with particular emphasis on her were! Hearts race and get those butterflies in our stomachs when pursued in a romantic relationship years! Out to see the Word as positive, translating it as lovely people and Christ. Went and foundmandrakes in the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and foundmandrakes in the Bible 1 scripture tells Rachel. New Bible Q & a articles are posted they would rather change the offensive precious words God. In Leahs life and there I buried Leah honorable as it began with deception are overlooked by others she Isaac! Two Men Encounter the Bible comes in the light of day and the name of the Israel! God hearkens to Leah, and the veiled bride eventually becomes Jacobs wife information, please ourAffiliate! Assume that she squinted because of her father doesn & # x27 ; d the. Marry Jacob 's wife through a deception on the outside, our focus must be on the of! S hand in marriage being unmarried and unable to bear him more children, she envied her..
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