Genesis 29:31

¶ And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel [was] barren.

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}.

ADONAI saw that Le'ah was unloved, so he made her fertile, while Rachel remained childless.

When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

And Jehovah saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

Commentary

Genesis 29:31 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob's family, revealing God's direct intervention in the lives of his wives, Leah and Rachel. This verse highlights divine compassion and sovereignty over life, setting the stage for the birth of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Context

This verse follows Jacob's unintended marriage to Leah, Laban's elder daughter, after working seven years for Rachel. Jacob’s profound love for Rachel is explicitly stated in Genesis 29:30, leaving Leah in a position of being unloved or "hated" in comparison. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a woman's value was often tied to her ability to bear children, especially sons. Being less loved and potentially barren would have been a deeply distressing situation for Leah, emphasizing her vulnerability and Jacob's favoritism.

Key Themes

  • God's Compassion for the Afflicted: The LORD "saw" Leah's predicament, demonstrating His attentiveness to those who are overlooked or suffering. This act of divine intervention underscores God's character as one who cares for the vulnerable and gives grace to the less favored.
  • Divine Sovereignty Over Life and Fertility: The phrase "he opened her womb" clearly attributes Leah's fertility directly to God. This emphasizes that the ability to bear children is ultimately in God's hands, a recurring theme throughout biblical narratives involving barren women like Sarah (Genesis 21:1) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1:5).
  • Human Favoritism vs. God's Grace: While Jacob favored Rachel, God intervened on behalf of Leah, demonstrating that His favor is not necessarily aligned with human preferences. This divine act ensures the continuation of the covenant line through Leah, who would become the mother of several significant tribes, including Judah, from whom the Messiah would descend.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates the Hebrew word שְׂנוּאָה (senu'ah) as "hated." While "hated" can imply strong aversion, in this context, it often signifies being "loved less" or "disliked" when compared to another person, rather than absolute hatred. Jacob's actions confirm his preference for Rachel over Leah. The phrase "opened her womb" (Hebrew: וַיִּפְתַּח אֶת־רַחְמָהּ, vayyiftach et-rachmah) is a direct theological statement, indicating a supernatural act of God granting fertility, not merely a natural occurrence.

Significance and Application

Genesis 29:31 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that even when we feel overlooked, unloved, or disadvantaged by human circumstances, God sees our plight. His compassion is active, and He often intervenes in ways that defy human expectations or preferences. Leah's story, beginning with this verse and continuing with the naming of her sons (Genesis 29:32), illustrates how God can bring purpose and fruitfulness out of situations of sorrow or perceived disadvantage. It encourages trust in God's sovereign plan, even when our personal desires or circumstances don't align with human expectations, as Rachel's initial barrenness also highlights, before God remembered her later.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 2:21 (7 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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 (6 votes)

    For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

  • Genesis 21:2 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

  • 1 Samuel 1:5 (6 votes)

    But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.