Genesis 29:34

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Once more she conceived and had a son; and she said, "Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore she named him Levi [joining].

Berean Standard Bible:

Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

American Standard Version:

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have borne him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And she conceived again^{H2029}, and bare^{H3205} a son^{H1121}; and said^{H559}, Now this time^{H6471} will my husband^{H376} be joined^{H3867} unto me, because I have born^{H3205} him three^{H7969} sons^{H1121}: therefore was his name^{H8034} called^{H7121} Levi^{H3878}.

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Commentary for Genesis 29:34

Genesis 29:34 is a part of the narrative concerning the patriarch Jacob, his two wives, Leah and Rachel, and their maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah. The verse specifically pertains to Leah, who is one of the daughters of Laban, Jacob's uncle. In the cultural context of the time, a woman's value and security in marriage were often tied to her ability to bear children, particularly male heirs. This was especially significant in a patriarchal society where the continuation of the family line, inheritance, and family name depended on sons.

In this verse, Leah has just given birth to her third son, whom she names Levi. The name "Levi" in Hebrew can mean "attached" or "joined," and Leah's naming of her son reflects her hope and belief that this birth will finally secure the affection and loyalty of her husband, Jacob. Leah feels that with three sons, she has fulfilled a significant wifely duty and that Jacob will now be more attached to her. This hope is rooted in the reality that Jacob initially loved Rachel more, and Leah's fertility was a means to secure her position in the family.

The broader historical context of this verse is the establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel, as Levi becomes the ancestor of one of these tribes. The Levites, descendants of Levi, would later be set apart in the service of the Tabernacle and the Temple, holding special roles in Israel's religious life, including priestly duties and the oversight of religious law.

In summary, Genesis 29:34 captures a moment of personal triumph for Leah, who sees the birth of her third son as a turning point in her relationship with Jacob. It also underscores the significant role of fertility and sonship in the ancient Near Eastern culture. The verse is a link in the chain of events leading to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel, with Levi's birth being foundational to the later religious structure of the Israelite nation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2029
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָרָה
   Transliteration: hârâh
   Pronunciation: haw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively); been, be with child, conceive, progenitor.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3205
   There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַד
   Transliteration: yâlad
   Pronunciation: yaw-lad'
   Description: a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6471
   There are 108 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פַּעַם
   Transliteration: paʻam
   Pronunciation: pah'-am
   Description: or (feminine) פַּעֲמָה; from פָּעַם; a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow); anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel.
   
6. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3867
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָוָה
   Transliteration: lâvâh
   Pronunciation: law-vaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (caus.) to lend; abide with, borrow(-er), cleave, join (self), lend(-er).
   
8. Strong's Number: H7969
   There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: shâlôwsh
   Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
   Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
   
9. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7121
    There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָרָא
    Transliteration: qârâʼ
    Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
    Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3878
    There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לֵוִי
    Transliteration: Lêvîy
    Pronunciation: lay-vee'
    Description: from לָוָה; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob; Levi. See also לֵוִי, לֵוִיִּי.