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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 29:17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/29-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_29_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 29:17 - Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/29.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Leah’s eyes <i>were</i> delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Leah&#8217s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and beautiful in appearance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Leah had ordinary eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/29.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Leah's eyes were tender; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/29.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Leah's eyes were tender; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Leah had attractive eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and beautiful features. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/29.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/29.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Leah looked rather plain, but Rachel was lovely in form and appearance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/29.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Leah's eyes were tender, but Rachel had a lovely figure and beautiful appearance.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Leah was tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/29.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel has been beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the eyes of Leah are tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the eyes of Leah weak, and Rachel was fair of form and fair of look.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was well favoured, and of a beautiful countenance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But while Leah was bleary-eyed, Rachel had an elegant appearance and was attractive to behold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/29.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Leah had dull eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Leah had attractive eyes; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the eyes of Leah were tender and Rakhyl was beautiful in her appearance and her face was beautiful.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Leah's eyes were weak; but Rachel was of beautiful form and fair to look upon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the eyes of Lea were weak. But Rachel was beautiful in appearance, and exceedingly fair in countenance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/29-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7048" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm">Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3812.htm" title="3812: lê·’āh (N-proper-fs) -- Weary, a wife of Jacob. From la'ah; weary; Leah, a wife of Jacob.">Leah</a> <a href="/hebrew/7390.htm" title="7390: rak·kō·wṯ (Adj-fp) -- Tender, delicate, soft. From rakak; tender; by implication, weak.">had weak</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: wə·‘ê·nê (Conj-w:: N-cdc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">eyes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7354.htm" title="7354: wə·rā·ḥêl (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- A wife of Jacob. The same as rachel; Rachel, a wife of Jacob.">but Rachel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3303.htm" title="3303: yə·p̄aṯ- (Adj-fsc) -- Fair, beautiful. From yaphah; beautiful.">shapely</a> <a href="/hebrew/8389.htm" title="8389: tō·’ar (N-ms) -- Outline, form. From ta'ar; outline, i.e. Figure or appearance."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3303.htm" title="3303: wî·p̄aṯ (Conj-w:: Adj-fsc) -- Fair, beautiful. From yaphah; beautiful.">and beautiful.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4758.htm" title="4758: mar·’eh (N-ms) -- Sight, appearance, vision. From ra'ah; a view; also an appearance, whether a shape, or a vision."></a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/4-1.htm">Song of Solomon 4:1</a></span><br />How beautiful you are, my darling—how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/1-15.htm">Song of Solomon 1:15</a></span><br />How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-30.htm">Proverbs 31:30</a></span><br />Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-12.htm">1 Samuel 16:12</a></span><br />So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-3.htm">1 Peter 3:3-4</a></span><br />Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">1 Samuel 25:3</a></span><br />His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/2-7.htm">Esther 2:7</a></span><br />And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother. The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-9.htm">1 Timothy 2:9-10</a></span><br />Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, / but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-15.htm">1 Corinthians 11:15</a></span><br />but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-2.htm">Isaiah 53:2</a></span><br />He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">1 Samuel 9:2</a></span><br />And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/1-3.htm">1 Kings 1:3-4</a></span><br />Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. / The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-5.htm">1 Peter 3:5-6</a></span><br />For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands, / just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-25.htm">2 Samuel 14:25</a></span><br />Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-36.htm">1 Corinthians 7:36</a></span><br />However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.</p><p class="hdg">Rachel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-6.htm">Genesis 29:6-12,18</a></b></br> And he said unto them, <i>Is</i> he well? And they said, <i>He is</i> well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1,2,22</a></b></br> And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Genesis 35:19,20,24</a></b></br> And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which <i>is</i> Bethlehem… </p><p class="hdg">beautiful.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-11.htm">Genesis 12:11</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou <i>art</i> a fair woman to look upon:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-16.htm">Genesis 24:16</a></b></br> And the damsel <i>was</i> very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Genesis 39:6</a></b></br> And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was <i>a</i> goodly <i>person</i>, and well favoured.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/24-16.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-17.htm">Attractive</a> <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Beautiful</a> <a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Clouded</a> <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Countenance</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Eyed</a> <a href="/genesis/28-8.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/25-18.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/27-15.htm">Fair</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm">Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Form</a> <a href="/genesis/35-26.htm">Leah's</a> <a href="/genesis/29-16.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/genesis/18-7.htm">Tender</a> <a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Weak</a> <a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Well-Favored</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/30-30.htm">Appearance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-6.htm">Attractive</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Beautiful</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/34-7.htm">Clouded</a> <a href="/genesis/31-2.htm">Countenance</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-9.htm">Eyed</a> <a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/30-33.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Fair</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Form</a> <a href="/genesis/30-10.htm">Leah's</a> <a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/genesis/33-13.htm">Tender</a> <a href="/genesis/30-42.htm">Weak</a> <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Well-Favored</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 29</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-1.htm">Jacob comes to the well of Haran.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-9.htm">He becomes acquainted with Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">Laban entertains him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Jacob covenants for Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-23.htm">He is deceived by Laban with Leah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-28.htm">He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Leah bears Reuben;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-33.htm">Simeon;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-34.htm">Levi;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">and Judah.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/29.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/29.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Leah had weak eyes</b><br>In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, physical appearance often played a significant role in marriage prospects. The description of Leah's eyes as "weak" may imply that they lacked the brightness or attractiveness that was culturally valued. This could have affected her desirability as a bride, especially in comparison to her sister Rachel. The Hebrew term used here can also mean "delicate" or "tender," suggesting a contrast to Rachel's more striking appearance. Leah's situation highlights themes of God's sovereignty and grace, as despite her perceived disadvantage, she becomes the mother of Judah, from whom the line of David and ultimately Jesus Christ descends.<p><b>but Rachel was shapely and beautiful</b><br>Rachel's physical attractiveness is emphasized, indicating her favorable position in terms of marriageability. Her beauty is noted in two aspects: form and appearance, suggesting she was both physically well-proportioned and visually appealing. This sets the stage for Jacob's deep love for her, which becomes a central theme in the narrative. The preference for Rachel over Leah by Jacob also reflects the human tendency to value external appearances, a theme that is contrasted with God's focus on the heart, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>. Rachel's beauty and Jacob's love for her lead to significant family dynamics and tensions, which play a crucial role in the unfolding of God's plan for the patriarchs.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/leah.htm">Leah</a></b><br>The elder daughter of Laban, described as having "weak eyes." The Hebrew term (rakkot) can mean tender or delicate, suggesting a contrast to Rachel's beauty.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>The younger daughter of Laban, noted for her beauty and form. She captures Jacob's heart, leading to significant events in the account.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>The father of Leah and Rachel, who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding account of Jacob's marriages and service.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The son of Isaac and Rebekah, who falls in love with Rachel and works for Laban to marry her, only to be deceived into marrying Leah first.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/haran.htm">Haran</a></b><br>The place where Laban and his family reside, and where Jacob flees to escape his brother Esau's wrath.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_inner_beauty.htm">The Value of Inner Beauty</a></b><br>While physical beauty is noted, the Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and character. Leah's account reminds us that God's purposes often transcend human perceptions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human preferences and actions, God's plans prevail. Leah, though less favored, becomes the mother of Judah, an ancestor of Jesus, illustrating God's sovereign choice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_favoritism.htm">The Danger of Favoritism</a></b><br>Jacob's preference for Rachel over Leah leads to family strife. Favoritism can cause division and pain, urging us to treat others with fairness and love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_patience_and_perseverance.htm">The Role of Patience and Perseverance</a></b><br>Jacob's long service for Rachel teaches the value of patience and perseverance in pursuing what is right and meaningful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_complexity_of_human_relationships.htm">The Complexity of Human Relationships</a></b><br>The dynamics between Leah, Rachel, and Jacob highlight the complexities of human relationships and the need for grace and understanding.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_29.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 29</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jacob_marry_leah_and_rachel.htm">How did Jacob end up marrying both Leah and Rachel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_jacob_be_tricked_into_marrying_leah.htm">Genesis 29:23-25: Is it believable that Jacob could be deceived into marrying Leah instead of Rachel without noticing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_approve_jacob's_deceit.htm">Genesis 29:31: Does God's response to Jacob's situation imply approval of deceit and manipulation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_leah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Leah in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/29.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Leah was tender eyed.</span>--Leah, whose name signifies <span class= "ital">languor, weariness, </span>had dull bleared eyes. Probably she suffered, as so many do in that hot sandy region, from some form of ophthalmia. Rachel (Heb., <span class= "ital">the ewe</span>) was, on the contrary, "beautiful and well favoured" (Heb., <span class= "ital">beautiful in form and beautiful in look</span>)<span class= "ital">. </span>Leah's bleared eyes would be regarded in the East as a great defect, just as bright eyes were much admired. (See <a href="/1_samuel/16-12.htm" title="And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and with of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.">1Samuel 16:12</a>, where David is described as <span class= "ital">fair of eyes.</span>) Yet it was not Rachel, with her fair face and well-proportioned figure, and her husband's lasting love, that was the mother of the progenitor of the Messiah, but the weary-eyed Leah.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Leah was tender eyed</span>. Literally, the <span class="accented">eyes of Leah were tender</span>, <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. weak, dun; <span class="greek">ἀσθενεῖς</span> (LXX.), <span class="accented">lippi</span> (Vulgate); cf. <a href="/1_samuel/16-12.htm">1 Samuel 16:12</a>. Leah's face was not ugly (Bohlen), only her eyes were not clear and lustrous, dark and sparkling, as in all probability Rachel's were (Knobel). <span class="cmt_word">But Rachel was beautiful and well favored</span>. Literally, <span class="accented">beautiful in form</span> (<span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. in outline and make of body; cf. <a href="/genesis/39-6.htm">Genesis 39:6</a>; also <a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">1 Samuel 16:18</a> - "a man of form," <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. <span class="accented">formosus</span>, well made) <span class="accented">and beautiful in appearance</span> (<span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. of a lovely countenance). "If authentic history was not in the way, Leah, as the mother of Judah, and of the Davidic Messianic line, ought to have carried off the prize of beauty after Sarah and Rebakah (Lange). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/29-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Leah</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(lê·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3812.htm">Strong's 3812: </a> </span><span class="str2">Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had no sparkle</span><br /><span class="heb">רַכּ֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(rak·kō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7390.htm">Strong's 7390: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tender, delicate, soft</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in her eyes,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵינֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ê·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but Rachel</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרָחֵל֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rā·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7354.htm">Strong's 7354: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rachel -- a wife of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽיְתָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shapely</span><br /><span class="heb">יְפַת־</span> <span class="translit">(yə·p̄aṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3303.htm">Strong's 3303: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fair, beautiful</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and beautiful.</span><br /><span class="heb">וִיפַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(wî·p̄aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3303.htm">Strong's 3303: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fair, beautiful</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/29-17.htm">Genesis 29:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/29-17.htm">OT Law: Genesis 29:17 Leah's eyes were weak but Rachel was (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/29-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 29:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 29:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>