King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel [was] barren.
Complete Jewish Bible:
ADONAI saw that Le'ah was unloved, so he made her fertile, while Rachel remained childless.
Berean Standard Bible:
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.
American Standard Version:
And Jehovah saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And when the LORD{H3068} saw{H7200} that Leah{H3812} was hated{H8130}, he opened{H6605} her womb{H7358}: but Rachel{H7354} was barren{H6135}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 2:21
- And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
Matthew 10:37
- He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Deuteronomy 21:15
- ¶ If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, [both] the beloved and the hated; and [if] the firstborn son be hers that was hated:
Genesis 20:18
- For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
Genesis 21:2
- For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
Psalms 127:3
- Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
1 Samuel 1:5
- But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 29:31
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Providence:** The verse reflects the theme of God's active involvement in human affairs, particularly in the lives of the matriarchs. It suggests that God is aware of personal circumstances and can intervene.
- **Favor and Suffering:** It touches on the theme of God showing favor to those who are unloved or marginalized (Leah), while those who are loved (Rachel) might face their own trials (in this case, infertility).
- **Family Dynamics:** The verse highlights the complex relationships within the family of Jacob, setting the stage for the future dynamics between Leah, Rachel, and their children.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Society:** The narrative is set in a patriarchal society where a woman's worth was often tied to her ability to bear children, especially sons.
- **Mariage and Inheritance:** Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah before Rachel, due to the customs of the time which dictated that the older sister must marry first. This event led to tension within Jacob's household.
- **Polygamy:** The practice of polygamy was common during this period, which is reflected in Jacob's marriages to both Leah and Rachel, as well as to their handmaidens later in the narrative.
- **Covenantal Lineage:** The lineage of the patriarchs was crucial to the fulfillment of God's covenantal promises. Leah's fertility ensured the continuation of this lineage through her sons, who would become the ancestors of several of the twelve tribes of Israel.
In summary, Genesis 29:31 encapsulates the divine orchestration of family relationships and fertility within the context of ancient Near Eastern customs, while also laying the groundwork for the complex intertribal relationships that would shape the future nation of Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H3812
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵאָה
Transliteration: Lêʼâh
Pronunciation: lay-aw'
Description: from לָאָה; weary; Leah, a wife of Jacob; Leah. - Strong's Number: H8130
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂנֵא
Transliteration: sânêʼ
Pronunciation: saw-nay'
Description: a primitive root; to hate (personally); enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H6605
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּתַח
Transliteration: pâthach
Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. - Strong's Number: H7358
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֶחֶם
Transliteration: rechem
Pronunciation: rekh'-em
Description: from רָחַם; (compare רַחַם); the womb; matrix, womb. - Strong's Number: H7354
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָחֵל
Transliteration: Râchêl
Pronunciation: raw-khale'
Description: the same as רָחֵל; Rachel, a wife of Jacob; Rachel. - Strong's Number: H6135
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָקָר
Transliteration: ʻâqâr
Pronunciation: aw-kawr'
Description: from עָקַר; sterile (as if extirpated in the generative organs); ([idiom] male or female) barren (woman).