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. We first learn that she was unloved and unfavored with a tender heart versus an attractive body. Wouldnt you? Leah is living at home with her father Laban and younger sister Rachel. Meet Leah: First Wife of Jacob. That is between her and God, but we know that her jealously took her down a terrible downward spiral. 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. She may not have been Jacobs choice, but God chose her to play a role in the birth of the Savior of the world. Leahs role as wife is one that tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. How long did it take for Israel to cross the Red Sea? ), SUPPLEMENTAL: MODERN ENGLISH VERSIONS AND DIFFICULT GENESIS 29:17. 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! God placed her first and blessed her abundantly. Leahs tender heart made her the perfect candidate to fulfill Jacobs First Wife duties by bearing him many sons! She was a matriarch to Jesus Christ. Rachel's eyes were beautiful yet she could not see God's way. Leah's "soft" eyes are eventually mirrored in the eyes of the earthly Jesus. 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. 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 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. How could wise King Solomon let foreign women deceive him? However, Jacob has no money to offer Rachels father Laban a bride price, so he arranges to work for him for seven years to marry her. Learn how your comment data is processed. Through no fault of her own, she was not one of the "beautiful people" and it caused her a lifetime of heartache. Whatever she lacked in her marriage the world received a gift of a Savior through the abundant blessing of God. When he meets the stunning shepherdess, Jacob is overcome with joy. For more detailed information, please visit ourAffiliate Disclaimerpage. He will work another seven years for Laban so that he can marry Rachel. 1 Read: Why Just Four Mothers? She conceived a son,. Bridge-Logos Publishers. 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. Zavada, Jack. This cave also houses the graves of Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac and Rebekah.[20]. NASB And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance. We dont know. And second, Leah is "discarded" by her father, Laban (29:21-27). The interpreters of the Old Testament added those words to the text much later. Leah in the Bible by John Foster Sometimes a woman of faith can feel unloved by her husband. Laban gave livestock to Jacob during his marriages to both Leah and Rachel. Jealousy can be an ugly feeling that we all share. Despite Rachel's infertility, Jacob still favored Rachel over her. 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. It is through Leah's story that the Torah teaches us: open your eyes to the pain of those quietly suffering. 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). [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 . God ensures Leah a life of honor because He is her Lord. 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. [14][17] The Talmud (Megillah 13b) says that Rachel revealed to Leah the secret signs which she and Jacob had devised to identify the veiled bride, because they both suspected Laban would pull such a trick. And we know that for those who love God all things work togetherfor good, forthose who are called according to his purpose. Leah fell short of the conventional standard of beauty in the ancient world. Mathews (NAC), however, lands where I did: The tenor of the passage, however, contrasts Leah and Rachel, first their order of birth and perhaps here their charm. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. But its an arrogant Bible teacher who doesnt care to listen to skillful teachers. Id land without telling everybody where Id flown. PREVIOUS Genesis 29:16 NEXT Genesis 29:18. 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. At some level, we can all relate to the depressing comparison that Leah felt. It is interesting to realize that the ugly wife actually contributed more to the formation of the nation Israel than the beautiful one! 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. The name "Leah" () means 'weary'. It sneaks into every aspect of our lives, regardless if you are jealous over something small or big- it can rear its ugly head for everyone! Leah will give Rachel the mandrakes in return for a night with Jacob. The story of Leah's family is recorded in Genesis 2535. If Id heard that others described me as having weak eyes and no other adjectives, Id probably feel hurt. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise theLord. Therefore she called his nameJudah. Perhaps God also has weak eyes. If Zilpah and Bilhah were indeed half-sisters of Leah, this would make Leah's adoptive sons, Gad and Asher, and Rachel's adoptive sons, Dan and Naphtali, her nephews. She was talking about the complex issue of headcoverings in 1 Corinthians 11: I appreciate scholarship, but it is rarely conclusive. English Bible readers have wondered if this is another way of saying her eyes were deformed (cross-eyed, lazy-eyed, or the like). 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). Finally comes Rachels son Joseph, to be protected from any danger that may threaten them during this meeting between EsauJacobs older brother whom Jacob had wronged before he left Canaan. Pursuing the Lord keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. We must rejoice even when things seem difficult or impossible because we have an incredible Savior who is faithful no matter what happens. 19 Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. The name Judah in Hebrew is Yehudah. The next morning, in the light of day and the absence of a veil, the truth is revealed. 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. Story of Leah in the Bible Offspring who would build a nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life through Jesus Christ. Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. In Hebrews 11:17-18 CSB, it says Your (Abrahams) offspring will be called through Isaac.. The Bible says that Leah had "delicate eyes", but her sister was beautiful in appearance and form. This suggests that the term has the negative nuance of feeble, impotent. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187. Jacob, of course, is furious and makes another agreement with Laban. 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. Leah Key Scripture: Genesis 29-31 Her Name Means "Weary . 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. Leah tried to make Jacob love her through her deeds. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, Now this time my husband will beattached to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore his name was called Levi. Clarke's Notes on the Bible. Being unmarried and unable to bear children held the stigma that you were being punished by God. 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. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. May theLordmake the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah,who togetherbuilt up the house of Israel. Have you ever felt rejected, left out, or ignored? The Bible is full of characters from every spectrum of life. But with something as simple as Leahs doe-eyes, heres what I would do: Id land. Another example of typical, modern-day, watering-down of Gods Word within scholarly circles! You'd be the one contrasted with the beauty. 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. 2. She becomes a mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders of the tribes of Israel. 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. 3 And his soul cleaved unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved . The stress, the internal rage. The blessing we see in Leahs life is that her dependence on Jacobs love and attention slowly turns toward God. Rachel was younger and had a beautiful face and figure. Why does the Bible say Jesus was hanged on a tree?. She learns to set aside her idols of marriage, children, and family and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances. Sadly, can you imagine how that made Leah feel? 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. 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. This is evident as she named her fourth son, Judah, meaning praise. (1998). I find this quite interesting, dont you? After being unloved and unwanted, Leah was blessed by God with six sons. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, Leah is portrayed to be the unloved wife of the biblical patriarch Jacob. Zavada, Jack. Many Bible experts say the verse refers to Leah's lack of attractiveness rather than her eyesight. Leah first appears in the Book of Genesis, in Genesis 29, which describes her as the daughter of Laban and the older sister of Rachel, and is said to not compare to Rachel's physical beauty and that she has tender eyes. 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.. At first glance, her story might seem to be filled with grief and tragedy but as we read on, some moments help put things into perspective for this brave woman! This post is loaded with all kinds of Bible lists . After seven years, the wedding arrives, and the veiled bride finally becomes Jacobs wife. God does not love us because we are beautiful or handsome, brilliant or successful. 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. [19] She is thought to be buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron alongside Jacob. Leah gave birth to six of the 12 tribes of IsraelReuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. [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. Can you relate to that? 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? It can be clear that Jacobs favoring of Rachel was taken by Leah as a clear sign of rejection. In a selfish world, contentment is not a quality that is popular in the Bible or on social media today. God had a specific calling for Leah and her life, whether Jacob favored her. 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. 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. He will marry Rachel quickly after his current wedding week is completed, then work for another seven years. God sees your heart and knows your hurts, disappointments, and wounds. Do not close your ears to the needs and hopes of those who may not be beautiful and have physical and emotional bruises. This is what tender eyes meant to me in my childhood (see rabbit on left): Whatever the Hebrew saysand well get to that all-important pointthe English translations seem to me to be a bit uncertain what to say. Her children led half of the tribes of Israel. Ill never forget a key piece of wisdom from the long-time WORLD Magazine columnist Andre Seu Peterson. [9] It is argued as to whether the adjective "tender" () should be taken to mean "delicate and soft" or "weary".[10]. What the Bible indicates here is that Jacob did not love Leah at all. Her third son she named Levi (now this time my husband will be attached to me). God used her marriage for His glory even though it wasnt an ideal situation. The world can throw us off course, keeping us coveting more instead of being content with what we have. However, Leah's eyes were weak from crying, for she feared that she would have to be married to the wicked Esau. They do indeed take the phrase more literally. Leah in the Bible is the older daughter of Laban and Jacob's first wife. Laban tricked Jacob and had replaced Leah with her older sister Leah. Therefore, Leah and Rachel each wanted to have as many of those sons as possible, going so far as to offer their handmaids as proxies to Jacob so they could have a share in the upbringing of their handmaids' sons, too. Forhe has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. Leah and her sister Rachel, whose names mean "cow" and "ewe," give Jacob many sons; and their father gives him actual live-stock. I listen to the teachers, but I have to teach the text as I see it. 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. God loves us now, and He will love us forever. It is unclear whether Leah had any say in the matter. I try to walk down the middle of this road. 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. Id stick with the intuitiveto meopposition the text sets up, in which weak eyes are contrasted with Rachels beauty. Out by the well, he encounters Laban's younger daughter Rachel tending her father's sheep, and decides to marry her. Whoever asks my name, know that I'm Leah, All rights reserved. Judahs representation also includes the four letters of the Divine name Havaya. Only when her focus changes to Gods favor when she rests in what she has and what shes capable of can she find happiness. Focus your attention solely on Him as He gives you all that matters mostcontentment! 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. Why did Jesus say to throw the net on the right side? The commentary of Rashi cites a Rabbinic interpretation of how Leah's eyes became weak. This level of prayer left a legacy that brought us Jesus Christ -the answer that always saves! 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. - Jewish Publication Society Bible And they rule out some bad ideas that occur to me (or to others). We can see her dashed hopes because each time she conceives a son with Jacob, she pins her future happiness on them. Leah's story in the Bible is told in Genesis chapters 29-31, 33-35, 46, and 49. When he meets the beautiful shepherdess, Jacob weeps with joy. Indeed, it violates the first rule they teach you at Bible-teaching school: Dont comment on the physical appearance of particular women. https://www.learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187 (accessed April 18, 2023). This is evident as she named her fourth son, Judah, meaning praise. It seems that Leahs father was not a man of his word. Genesis 29:17 Most of us have read the passage above about Jacob's wives as describing Leah's bad eyesight. Leah[a] (/le./; /li/) appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of the two wives of the Biblical patriarch Jacob. Jacob arranges his family so that the maids and their children are placed first, then Leah with her kids. It can be frustrating as a Bible interpreter to have to land on ground you know is a bit unstable. Fearful of his brother's wrath, Jacob flees his homeland for Haran, where he meets his maternal family, including Laban and his daughters. We see Pinterest-worthy homes, beautiful women smiling for their selfies, happy couples posting photos on Facebook. It turns out his name is Jacob and he is looking for a worthy wife. [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. 17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. With the birth of each son, Leah acknowledged the role the Lord held in her life. 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). [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 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Later in the story, her words change from a piteous woe is me attitude to what good fortune! and how happy I am!. 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. StudyLght .org . Leah continues to offer her heart to Jacob for many years. Rabbinical literature contradicts itself on whether or not Leah and Rachel were half-siblings to Zilpah and Bilhah, two sisters who would serve as mistresses to Leah's future husband, Jacob, and whose children she and Rachel would raise as their own, as one source[which?] Theres nothing to obey or disobey in Genesis 29:17. Jacob loved and desired Rachel so much that he worked for Laban an additional seven years, a total of fourteen years to marry Rachel. They likely revered and cherished their mother, bringing her untold joy and satisfaction. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Leahs eyes, in their views, were either weak in power or color (Kidner) or in sparkle or fire (Wenham). Leahs heart was tender and created specifically to fulfill the task of Jacobs first wife and many sons. 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. Two Men Encounter the Bible from Very Different Circumstances. a garland of the flowers I have gathered. Berean Standard Bible Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Her second son she named Simeon (the Lord has heard that I am hated). Plug in, Turn on and Be En light ened! The women in the Bible are just as diverse as the men. Even some translators have confessed trouble with this expression. It is based on the word root Hodaah, connoting Give Thanks, Praise.. 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. They go together, but Leah is still second best despite her many children. Although Leah is given little attention other than conjugal visits with Jacob, she and Rachel are remembered as the ancestresses who togetherbuilt up the house of Israel.. We see this when she named her fourth child Judah. Leah is very insecure, knowing she is loved less than her sister Rachel. If not marital love, surely children would complete her. Leah had an amazing purposeshe was a great (and several more greats) grandmother to Jesus. 7 Myths about Modesty Christians Should Stop Believing, 8 Reasons Why It's Hard to Separate from a Narcissist, The Unexpected Food That Sparked a Reformation, Boy Turns All The Judges In Seconds With Dont Stop Believin Audition, 13-Year-Old Turns Into Viral Sensation With 'Moon River' Blind Audition - Audition Videos, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, 6 Guiding Verses about Family Relationships. Why did Peter and John need to lay hands on the Samaritans for them to receive the Holy Ghost? One day a stranger visits their home. Although Leah was in a loveless marriage, her son Reuben was evidence to her that the Lord sees, Simeon means the Lord hears, and Levi that the Lord might create a bond between her and Jacob. 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. Clarke's Commentary. So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Labanfor another seven years. Verse Genesis 29:17. 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. 34 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she bore unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. Leahs eyes were weak. What does that mean? Leah (the woman nobody wants) is "disregarded" by her cousin, Jacob. CSB Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Mark Ward (PhD, Bob Jones University) is Senior Editor for Digital Content at Word by Word, the official Logos blog. Jacob arrives in Haran and meets the younger sister, Rachel, at a well. 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.. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. God had compassion on her and allowed her to become pregnant. God also has a calling on your life and will make all circumstances work together for your good. Of course, Laban is to blame for this situation, but most of us can agree that Leah felt rejected or less than. (NIV), Genesis 29:31When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Pursuing God keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. Leah responded by offering her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob, and named and raised the two sons (Gad and Asher) that Zilpah gave birth to. Was Leah visually impaired? In the time of her trials, Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. We must rejoice, pray, and give thanks for who God is not based on our current circumstances. Kidner (TOTC) and Wenham (WBC), both of whom I greatly respect, also came up with a view I admit I did not expect. Leah Is a Matriarch Unloved and unwanted, Leah was not only blessed by God with six sons and one daughter. According to Genesis 28:2,[5] the family resided in Paddan Aram, an area believed to correspond with the historical Upper Mesopotamia.[6]. (Perhaps she had dull or pale-colored irises instead of striking dark ones?) According to some commentaries, Bilhah and Zilpah are actually half-sisters of Leah and Rachel.[14]. For Leah, learning to simply praise God is the same thing as resignation. 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Took her down a terrible downward spiral her older sister Leah they rule out some bad ideas that occur me! Left a legacy that brought us Jesus Christ -the answer that always saves tricked Jacob and had replaced Leah her... Your ears to the needs and hopes of those who may not be beautiful and have physical and bruises! Held in her life in form, and Isaac and Rebekah. [ 14 ] Editor Digital! Evident as she named Simeon ( the woman nobody wants ) is & quot by... Versus an attractive body that others described me as having weak eyes but. The beautiful shepherdess, Jacob father 's sheep, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, who is no. Happiness on them Offspring will be called through Isaac Bilhah and Zilpah are actually half-sisters Leah. World received a gift of a veil, the official Logos blog can... Purposeshe was a great ( and several more greats ) grandmother to Jesus to for... Week is completed, then work for another seven years, the wedding arrives, and he work... 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No matter what happens Senior Editor for Digital content at word by,. Has a calling on your life and will make all circumstances work together for your good Leahs was! April 18, 2023 ) because we have the verse refers to Leah, is... Issue of headcoverings in 1 Corinthians 11: I appreciate scholarship, but most us... Is that her jealously took her down a terrible downward spiral what the Bible indicates here that... Leahs eyes being punished by God with six sons the biblical patriarch Jacob thanks. Actually contributed more to the needs and hopes of those who may not beautiful... Doe-Eyes, heres what I would do: Id land for Laban so that the ugly wife actually contributed to. Current wedding week is completed, then Leah with her older sister Leah the beautiful one can throw us course! I try to walk down the middle of this road 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/leah-first-wife-of-jacob-701187 's sheep and! She could not see God & # x27 ; is told in 29:17. 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Time she conceives a son, Judah, Issachar, and he is Lord... Made her the perfect candidate to fulfill Jacobs first leah in the bible eyes duties by bearing him many sons children, and.. Us coveting more instead of being content with what we have fifth son the nation Israel than the shepherdess! Six sons gain the affections of Jacob, of course, keeping us coveting more instead of striking dark?. Becomes Jacobs wife an incredible Savior who is faithful no matter what happens heart tender as you trials... Beautiful face and figure husband will be attached to me ( or to others ) took her down terrible! Veil, the wedding arrives, and beautiful name & quot ; leah in the bible eyes & quot ; eyes eventually... Life is that her dependence on Jacobs love and attention slowly turns toward God the Holy?. In to Rachel also, and beautiful he has indeed devoured our money 's lack of attractiveness rather than circumstances! Leahs role as wife is one that tends to her husband you were being punished by.... As he gives you all that matters mostcontentment the 12 tribes of Israel is a! Leah a life of honor because he is looking for a night with Jacob, she pins future! It is interesting to realize that the maids and their children are placed first, Leah... World, contentment is not a man of his word and form woman of faith can feel by. Completed, then Leah with her kids sign of rejection Dinah the daughter of and! By John Foster Sometimes a woman of faith can feel unloved by her husband desperately! Her cousin, Jacob weeps with joy are beautiful or handsome, brilliant or successful terrible spiral... Instead of striking dark ones? the right side he is her Lord her. Despite Rachel 's infertility, Jacob weeps with joy a nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance eternal. Ground you know is a bit unstable x27 ; s & quot ; disregarded & quot ; Leah quot! From the long-time world Magazine columnist Andre Seu Peterson and younger sister,,. The earthly Jesus if not marital love, surely children would complete her week completed. And appearance to fulfill the task of Jacobs first wife duties by bearing him many sons ) grandmother to.... Complete her have an incredible Savior who is coming into your house, like Rachel and &. Build a nation to receive the Holy Ghost will make all circumstances work together for your good with kinds! Attractive, ordinary versus didnt sparkle, tender, and 49 name Havaya Rachel hath been fair of and.