Genesis 29:34

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.

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}.

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].

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

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.

Commentary

Genesis 29:34 records the birth of Leah's third son to Jacob, whom she names Levi. This verse is rich with the emotional complexities of Jacob's household and the cultural significance of naming children in ancient Israel.

Context

This verse is set within the challenging family dynamics of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. Jacob loved Rachel deeply but was tricked into marrying Leah first (Genesis 29:25). The narrative explicitly states that God had observed Leah's affliction and lack of love from Jacob, and in response, He opened her womb while Rachel remained barren. Leah had already given birth to two sons: Reuben (Genesis 29:32), whose name reflected her hope that Jacob would "see" her, and Simeon (Genesis 29:33), signifying that God had "heard" her cry.

Key Themes

  • Human Desire for Love and Acceptance: Leah's repeated naming of her sons reveals her deep longing for Jacob's affection. With Levi, she expresses hope that bearing him three sons would finally cause him to be "joined" to her emotionally.
  • Divine Providence Amidst Human Struggle: Even amidst the pain and rivalry within Jacob's family, God's hand is evident. He is orchestrating the growth of Jacob's family, laying the foundation for the twelve tribes of Israel, each named with significant meaning.
  • Significance of Naming: In the ancient Near East, names were not merely labels but often reflected circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or a prophetic outlook. Levi's name directly encapsulates Leah's emotional state and desire for a deeper connection with her husband.
  • Origins of a Tribe: Levi becomes the patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, uniquely set apart for religious service.

Linguistic Insights

The name Levi (Hebrew: Lewi, ืœึตื•ึดื™) is derived from the Hebrew verb lavah (ืœึธื•ึธื”), which means "to join," "to attach," or "to accompany." Leah's statement, "Now this time will my husband be joined unto me," directly explains her choice of name. Her hope was that Jacob would finally bond with her, not just physically, but emotionally, now that she had given him several sons. This poignant hope is also echoed later in her naming of Zebulun, where she states, "Now will my husband dwell with me" (Genesis 30:20).

Practical Application

Leah's story resonates with the universal human desire for love, acceptance, and belonging. Her repeated attempts to earn Jacob's affection through childbearing highlight how people often seek fulfillment or validation in external circumstances or relationships. Ultimately, her deepest longing for being "joined" or "attached" to another person finds its truest echo in humanity's need to be joined to God. In the larger biblical narrative, Levi's descendants would later be uniquely set apart as the priestly tribe, "joined" to the service of God and mediating between God and His people. This transformation of a personal longing into a communal, sacred role reminds us that God can redeem and repurpose our deepest human desires for His greater purposes.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 49:5 (4 votes)

    ยถ Simeon and Levi [are] brethren; instruments of cruelty [are in] their habitations.

  • Genesis 49:7 (4 votes)

    Cursed [be] their anger, for [it was] fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

  • Exodus 32:26 (4 votes)

    Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who [is] on the LORD'S side? [let him come] unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

  • Exodus 32:29 (4 votes)

    For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.

  • Genesis 46:11 (3 votes)

    And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

  • Genesis 34:25 (3 votes)

    ยถ And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.

  • Numbers 18:2 (3 votes)

    And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee [shall minister] before the tabernacle of witness.