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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:33

And she conceived again, and bare a son ,.... As soon as she well could. The Jews F24 Pirke Eliezer, c. 36. have a notion, that Leah brought forth her sons at seven months' end: and said, because the Lord hath heard that I was hated ; or less loved than her sister: he hath therefore given me this son also ; to comfort her under the trial and exercise, and engage her husband's love the more unto her: and she called his name Simeon : which signifies "hearing", and answers... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:34

And she conceived again, and bare a son ,.... A third time, as soon as she well could after the former birth: and said, now this time will my husband be joined to me ; in greater affection and stronger ties of love, and cleave unto her: because I have born him three sons ; which she considered as a threefold cord, binding his affections to her, which could not be easily broke: and therefore was his name called Levi ; which signifies "joined"; from him the Levites sprung, and had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:35

And she conceived again, and bare a son ,.... A fourth son, a son in whose line, and from whose tribe, the Messiah was to spring: and she said, now will I praise the Lord ; she had praised him before for looking on her affliction, and hearing her cries, and giving her one son after another; but now she determines to praise him more than ever, having a fresh instance of his goodness to her: the Targum of Jonathan adds this as a reason,"because from this my son shall come forth kings, and... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:33

She called his name Simeon - שמעון shimon , hearing; i.e., God had blessed her with another son, because he had heard that she was hated - loved less than Rachel was. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:34

Therefore was his name called Levi - לוי levi , joined; because she supposed that, in consequence of all these children, Jacob would become joined to her in as strong affection, at least, as he was to Rachel. From Levi sprang the tribe of Levites, who instead of the first-born, were joined unto the priests in the service of the sanctuary. See Numbers 18:2 , Numbers 18:4 . read more

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