Genesis 29:35

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

And she conceived {H2029} again, and bare {H3205} a son {H1121}: and she said {H559}, Now {H6471} will I praise {H3034} the LORD {H3068}: therefore she called {H7121} his name {H8034} Judah {H3063}; and left {H5975} bearing {H3205}.

She conceived yet again, had a son and said, "This time I will praise ADONAI"; therefore she named him Y'hudah [praise]. Then she stopped having children.

And once more she conceived and gave birth to a son and said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” So she named him Judah. Then Leah stopped having children.

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, This time will I praise Jehovah: therefore she called his name Judah; and she left off bearing.

Commentary

Context

Genesis 29 details Jacob's arrival in Haran, his years of service to Laban, and his marriages to Leah and Rachel. Jacob's deep affection for Rachel caused significant emotional distress for Leah, who felt unloved. However, the Lord "saw that Leah was hated" (Genesis 29:31) and opened her womb, while Rachel remained barren. This verse marks a pivotal moment in Leah's life and the lineage of Israel, as she gives birth to her fourth son, a son whose name reflects a profound shift in her perspective.

Key Themes

  • Divine Compassion and Providence: This verse beautifully illustrates God's attentiveness to the downtrodden. Despite Leah's personal sorrow and Jacob's clear preference for Rachel, God actively intervenes in Leah's life, blessing her with children. This highlights God's faithfulness and His ability to bring joy and purpose out of difficult circumstances.
  • The Power of Praise and Gratitude: Leah's declaration, "Now will I praise the LORD," signifies a profound change from her previous naming patterns, which expressed longing for Jacob's love or hope for his affection (Reuben, Simeon, Levi). With Judah, her focus shifts entirely to God, acknowledging His goodness and provision independently of her marital struggles. This act of praise becomes foundational for his identity.
  • The Birth of Judah: This is a momentous event in biblical history. Judah, meaning "praise," becomes the progenitor of the most significant tribe of Israel. From the tribe of Judah would come the Davidic line of kings (2 Samuel 7:12-16) and, ultimately, the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:2-3; Revelation 5:5).

Linguistic Insights

The name Judah (Hebrew: Yehudah) is directly linked to the Hebrew verb yadah, which means "to praise," "to give thanks," or "to confess." Leah's choice of name for her fourth son powerfully reflects her heart's transformation from yearning for human affection to expressing unreserved gratitude and worship toward God. This stands in contrast to the names of her previous sons, which were tied to her desire for Jacob's love.

Practical Application

Genesis 29:35 offers a profound lesson on finding joy and purpose in God, even when life's circumstances are not ideal. Leah's journey reminds us that true contentment and praise come from acknowledging God's hand in our lives, regardless of our unfulfilled desires or relational challenges. When we choose to praise the Lord, our perspective shifts from our problems to His power and faithfulness. This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart of gratitude and to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He sees our struggles and works all things for His glory and our good, often in ways far beyond our immediate understanding.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 Chronicles 5:2

    For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came] the chief ruler; but the birthright [was] Joseph's:)

  • Genesis 49:8

    ¶ Judah, thou [art he] whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand [shall be] in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

  • Genesis 49:12

    His eyes [shall be] red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

  • Matthew 1:2

    Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

  • Deuteronomy 33:7

    And this [is the blessing] of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help [to him] from his enemies.

  • Genesis 35:26

    And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these [are] the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.

  • Genesis 44:18

    ¶ Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou [art] even as Pharaoh.
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