Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 29:31-35

We have here the birth of four of Jacob's sons, all by Leah. Observe, 1. That Leah, who was less beloved, was blessed with children, when Rachel was denied that blessing, Gen. 29:31. See how Providence, in dispensing its gifts, observes a proportion, to keep the balance even, setting crosses and comforts one over-against another, that none may be either too much elevated or too much depressed. Rachel wants children, but she is blessed with her husband's love; Leah wants that, but she is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:31

And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated ,.... Not properly and simply hated by Jacob, as appears by his doing the duty of an husband to her, but comparatively; she was less loved than Rachel: and there are many things to be said for it; she was not beautiful as Rachel was; she was not Jacob's choice, as she was but imposed upon him through deceit, and he was forced to marry her, or he could not have Rachel his beloved wife: but the Lord had pity on her, and that she might have a share in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:32

And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben ,.... That is, "see the son", as if she by this name called upon her husband, her friends, and all about her, to look at him, and view him; perhaps hoping and imagining he might be the famous son, the promised seed, the Messiah that was to spring to Abraham, in the line of Jacob; but if she so thought, she was greatly mistaken; for this son of hers proved unstable, and did not excel; or rather God hath seen or provided a son,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:31

The Lord saw that Leah was hated - From this and the preceding verse we get the genuine meaning of the word שנא sane , to hate, in certain disputed places in the Scriptures. The word simply signifies a less degree of love; so it is said, Genesis 29:30 ; : "Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah," i.e., he loved Leah less than Rachel; and this is called hating in Genesis 29:31 ; : When the Lord saw that Leah was hated - that she had less affection shown to her than was her due, as one of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:32

She called his name Reuben - ראובן reuben , literally, see ye or behold a son; for Jehovah hath looked upon, ראה raah , beheld, my affliction; behold then the consequence, I have got a son! read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:31

Verse 31 31.And when the Lord saw. Moses here shows that Jacob’s extravagant love was corrected by the Lord; as the affections of the faithful, when they become inordinate, are wont to be tamed by the rod. Rachel is loved, not without wrong to her sister, to whom due honor is not given. The Lord, therefore, interposes as her vindicator, and, by a suitable remedy, turns the mind of Jacob into that direction, to which it had been most averse. This passage teaches us, that offspring is a special... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:32

Verse 32 32.She called his name Reuben. Moses relates that Leah was not ungrateful to God. And truly, I do not doubt, that the benefits of God were then commonly more appreciated than they are now. For a profane stupor so occupies the mind of nearly all men, that, like cattle, they swallow up whatever benefits God, in his kindness, bestows upon them. Further, Leah not only acknowledges God as the author of her fruitfulness; but also assigns as a reason, that her affliction had been looked upon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:1-35

Jacob among his mother's kindred. Taught by experience to be patient. His own craft reflected in Laban. Lessons to be learned. I. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TEACHING OF GOD IN THE INNER MAN AND HIS LEADINGS IN PROVIDENCE . Jacob learned what he needed to learn—dependence, self-humiliation. Saw the evil of selfishness; understood that the Divine purposes must not be identified in our thought with our personal feelings and desires. We must wait on God to know what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:31

And when the Lord saw —literally, and Jehovah saw . As Eve's son was obtained from Jehovah ( Genesis 4:1 ), and Jehovah visited Sarah ( Genesis 21:1 ), and was entreated for Rebekah ( Genesis 25:21 ), so here he again interposes in connection with the onward development of the holy seed by giving children to Jacob's wives. The present section ( Genesis 29:31-35 ) is by Davidson, Kalisch, and others assigned to the Jehovist, by Tuch left undetermined, and by Colenso in several... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:31-35

Leah and Rachel, or the two wives. I. RACHEL THE BELOVED . "Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah." That Leah was not hated in the sense of being regarded with aversion, the numerous family she bore to Jacob proves; that she occupied a lower place than Rachel in her husband's affections is explicitly declared. This preference of Rachel to Leah was— 1. Natural in Jacob . Rachel had been his heart's choice from the first, while Leah had been thrust upon him against his inclination.... read more

Group of Brands