Genesis 29:31-30:24

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

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

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

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 29:1-35

- Jacob’s Marriage6. רחל rāchēl, Rachel, “a ewe.”16. לאה lê'âh, Leah, “wearied.”24. זלפה zı̂lpâh, Zilpah, “drop?”29. בלהה bı̂lhâh, Bilhah, “timidity.”32. ראוּבן re'uvbēn, Reuben, “behold a son.” A paronomasia in allusion to the phrase בעניי ראה be‛ānyı̂y rā'âh. Derivatives and compounds, being formed by the common speaker, are sometimes founded upon resemblance in sound, and not always on precise forms of the original sentence which prompted them.33. שׁמעין shı̂m‛ôn, Shim‘on,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 29:31

Genesis 29:31. When the Lord saw that Leah was hated That is, loved less than Rachel, in which sense it is required that we hate father and mother, in comparison with Christ, Luke 14:26, then the Lord granted her a child, which was a rebuke to Jacob for making so great a difference between those he was equally related to; a check to Rachel, who, perhaps, insulted over her sister upon that account; and a comfort to Leah, that she might not be overwhelmed with the contempt put upon her. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:31-35

Children born in Haran (29:31-30:24)Jacob’s coolness to Leah created unhappiness in his household. Leah’s desire for Jacob’s love is seen in the names she gave her first four sons (31-35). Rachel, feeling ashamed that she had not yet produced a child herself, gave her slave-girl to Jacob so that the slave-girl might produce a son whom Rachel could adopt as her own. The result was two sons (30:1-8; cf. 16:1-4). Leah, believing she was not able to have any more children, did the same, and soon... read more

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