Genesis 29:33

KJV

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I [was] hated, he hath therefore given me this [son] also: and she called his name Simeon.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she conceived {H2029} again, and bare {H3205} a son {H1121}; and said {H559}, Because the LORD {H3068} hath heard {H8085} that I was hated {H8130}, he hath therefore given {H5414} me this son also: and she called {H7121} his name {H8034} Simeon {H8095}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She conceived again, gave birth to a son and said, "It is because ADONAI has heard that I am unloved; therefore he has given me this son also." So she named him Shim'on [hearing].

Berean Standard Bible

Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon.

American Standard Version

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and said, Because Jehovah hath heard that I am hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 29:33 recounts the birth of Leah's second son, Simeon, a name she chose to reflect God's compassionate attentiveness to her suffering. Feeling unloved by Jacob, Leah declared that the LORD had "heard" her plight, acknowledging His divine intervention in her life and finding solace in His recognition of her deep emotional pain amidst her family struggles.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within the complex family narrative of Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel. Jacob, having worked seven years for Rachel, was deceived by Laban into marrying Leah first, as detailed in [Genesis 29:25](/genesis/29-25 "Laban's deception regarding Leah"). The biblical account explicitly states Jacob's greater affection for Rachel compared to Leah, a fact highlighted in [Genesis 29:30](/genesis/29-30 "Jacob's love for Rachel"). Recognizing Leah's unloved status, "the LORD saw that Leah was hated" and opened her womb, while Rachel remained barren, as recorded in [Genesis 29:31](/genesis/29-31 "God's compassion for Leah"). Leah's first son, Reuben, was named with the hope that Jacob would now love her, a sentiment expressed in [Genesis 29:32](/genesis/29-32 "Reuben's birth and meaning"). However, with Simeon's birth, Leah's focus shifts from her husband's potential affection to a profound acknowledgment of God's direct intervention and attentive response to her distress.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 29:33 reveals Leah's deep emotional state and her theological understanding of her circumstances. Her declaration, "Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also," is a profound statement of faith and personal testimony.

* **Divine Attentiveness (שָׁמַע - _shama_):** The name Simeon (שִׁמְעוֹן - *Shim'on*) is directly derived from the Hebrew verb *shama'*, meaning "to hear" or "to listen." Leah's explanation explicitly links her son's name to God's action of hearing her. This highlights a core biblical truth: God is not distant but actively attuned to the cries of the afflicted. Her use of "hath heard" (שָׁמַע - *shama'*) emphasizes a completed action, confirming God's present and active involvement in her suffering. This resonates with passages like [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "The LORD hears the righteous").
* **Leah's Emotional Journey:** Leah's naming of her sons consistently reflects her emotional landscape and her longing for love and acceptance from Jacob. While Reuben's name (meaning "see, a son!" or "he has seen my affliction") expressed a hope for Jacob's love, Simeon's name acknowledges that God has heard her feelings of being "hated" or unloved. This shift signifies a growing reliance on divine comfort over human affection.
* **The Significance of Names:** In ancient Israelite culture, names were often more than mere labels; they were prophetic, commemorative, or descriptive, reflecting the circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or a divine message. Simeon's name perfectly encapsulates Leah's experience of God's 'hearing' and intervention, serving as a perpetual reminder of His compassion.
* **God's Providence in Adversity:** Even within a challenging and morally complex family dynamic, marked by polygamy, favoritism, and personal sorrow, God is actively involved. He demonstrates His providence by opening Leah's womb, thereby bringing forth a lineage that would ultimately form the twelve tribes of Israel. This demonstrates God's ability to work His purposes through imperfect human situations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **God's Compassionate Sovereignty:** The narrative underscores God's active involvement in human suffering, demonstrating His compassion and sovereignty even amidst personal pain and relational brokenness. He is not a passive observer but an engaged and responsive deity.
* **The Value of the Unseen and Unheard:** Leah's experience validates the feelings of those who feel overlooked or unloved. It teaches that God sees and hears the hidden sorrows of the heart, affirming His intimate knowledge of each individual's plight.
* **Prayer as a Pathway to Divine Response:** Leah's naming of Simeon implies a continuous, heartfelt communication with God. Her testimony reinforces the biblical principle that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people, even if the answer does not immediately resolve all human desires.
* **God's Use of Imperfect Circumstances:** The birth of Simeon, like his brothers, occurs within a polygamous and contentious family structure. This illustrates God's ability to work His redemptive plan and establish His covenant lineage through flawed human choices and difficult circumstances, demonstrating His overarching purpose.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 29:33 offers profound encouragement for anyone feeling overlooked, unloved, or unheard in their personal struggles. Leah's poignant experience reminds us that even in our deepest, most private sorrows, God is intimately attentive to our cries, never distant or indifferent. Her story teaches us to find solace and purpose in God's faithful intervention, even when our primary human desires remain unfulfilled. It reinforces the power of heartfelt prayer, demonstrating that God truly hears and responds to His people, often in ways that transcend our immediate expectations and provide a deeper, divine comfort.

### FAQ
**What does the name Simeon mean, and why is it significant?**

Answer: The name Simeon (Hebrew: *Shim'on*) means "one who hears" or "hearing." It is significant because Leah, his mother, explicitly states that she named him this because "the LORD hath heard that I was hated." This name serves as a direct testimony to God's attentiveness and compassion in response to her deep emotional pain and feeling of being unloved by Jacob.

**Does God truly "hear" our prayers and struggles, even when we feel forgotten?**

Answer: Yes, Leah's experience in [Genesis 29:33](/genesis/29-33 "Leah names Simeon") provides a clear biblical affirmation that God hears the cries of His people, especially those who feel overlooked or suffering. Her testimony, "the LORD hath heard that I was hated," underscores God's personal and active involvement in the lives of individuals, demonstrating His intimate knowledge of their pain and His readiness to respond. This theme is consistent throughout Scripture, assuring believers that God is attentive to their needs and prayers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The birth of Simeon, a son named for God's "hearing" of Leah's suffering, foreshadows the ultimate divine attentiveness found in Jesus Christ. While Leah found solace in God's acknowledgment of her pain, Christ embodies God's full and complete response to human brokenness and sin. He is Immanuel, "God with us," who not only hears our cries but enters into our suffering, bears our burdens, and offers ultimate healing and reconciliation. Simeon's name points to a God who listens, but Christ's life, death, and resurrection reveal a God who acts decisively to redeem, fulfilling the deepest longings of the human heart for love, acceptance, and a perfect relationship with the Divine.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.