Genesis 29:17 - Exposition

Leah was tender eyed . Literally, the eyes of Leah were tender , i . e . weak, dun; ἀσθενεῖς ( LXX .), lippi (Vulgate); cf. 1 Samuel 16:12 . 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). But Rachel was beautiful and well favored . Literally, beautiful in form ( i . e . in outline and make of body; cf. Genesis 39:6 ; also 1 Samuel 16:18 —"a man of form," i . e . formosus , well made) and beautiful in appearance ( i . e . 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).