18And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Time travel in this animation through the history of the Bible. You can read more of her writing on her websitewww.myjoyousheart.comand connect with her onFacebook,Twitter,YouTubeandInstagram. Even though Jacob marries both sisters just a week apart, Leah conceives right away, but Rachel does not. Prior to her and Rachel's mentioning, the Book of Genesis details how their first cousin and future husband, Jacob, with the help of his mother, Rebecca, willfully deceives his dying father, Isaac, into giving him his twin brother Esau's birthright. They were sisters, but their interactions with Jacob were not always friendly or pleasant. You pray for something, wait earnestly, receive the blessing, and then the ugly monster of jealousy says, Its not enough!. In the Bible, she is first described as having weakeyes, but Rachelhad a lovely figure and was beautiful.(Genesis 29:17) If the only adjectives used to describe me in a story were that I had weak eyes, well, I wouldnt feel very good about myself. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. At the top stood God, reaffirming his covenant with Abraham that now passed to Jacob: The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring (Genesis 28:13). Leah was Jacob's first wife, and the older sister of his second (and favored) wife Rachel. As we will see for Rachel, the security one would expect a person to have that is deemed lovely and beautiful was temporary as her jealousy grew. Jacob was tricked into marrying Rachel's older sister Leah. The math means that she'd likely have been in her middle 20s, if not pushing 30, by the time their marriage was consummated. [19] She is thought to be buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron alongside Jacob. They were also likely quite old, at least, for marrying. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations. For less than $5/mo. Some ancient Near Eastern marriage contracts stipulate that the marriage can take place before the bride-price has been paid in full. Curls may be why humans have such big brains. But people were saying, "Laban has two daughters and his sister, Rebekah, has two sons. Laban warmly welcomed him to his family, but asked a steep price for Rachels hand in marriage: Jacob would first have to work as a shepherd for seven years, tending Labans flocks. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. She becomes a mother of seven, tenderly caring for and raising her children to be leaders of the tribes of Israel. 24(Laban gave[b] (K)his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.) Rachel Laban saw a chance to make capital out of Jacob's love for Rachel. The story of Turtle, one of the world's first submersibles. Leah was content to praise the Lord for the blessings in her life, even if her husband was not her own. Leah[a] (/le./; /li/) appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of the two wives of the Biblical patriarch Jacob. Offspring who would build a nation to receive Gods greatest inheritance, eternal life through Jesus Christ. But according to the text, it only "seemed like a few days" to him because he was so in love with her. To set the scene of how Jacob came to be in love with Rachel: As National Geographic explains, he was fleeing from his brother, Esau, when he took refuge in the household of his cousin, Laban. But tensions within the clan, particularly between Jacob and Labans sons, compelled Jacob to return to Canaan with his wives and handmaidens, who also served as Jacobs concubines. Leahs role in the debacle is unknown. When the seven years were fulfilled at last, Jacob spent his wedding night only to discover at dawn that it wasnt Rachel, but her elder sister Leah whom Laban had delivered to Jacobs tent. So, what do we take from this? Despite Rachel's infertility, Jacob still favored Rachel over her. Their father, Laban, was Jacob's uncle. The Bible is full of characters from every spectrum of life. Zilpah, Leahs maid, gives birth to Gad and Asher. Reading the story in light of the surrounding culture in which it arose provides another possible way to understand the narrative and birth of Leahs and Rachels children. 40 topical index results for rachel and leah. We see this when she was naming her fourth child, Judah, She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, This time I will praise theLord.(Genesis 29:35). Did Jacob placing branches in front of his flock really result in the offspring being speckled and spotted? In Hebrews 11:17-18 CSB, it says Your (Abrahams) offspring will be called through Isaac.. 20And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. Leah and Rachel FIRST SIBLING RIVALRY GONE BAD GENESIS 29-35 IMAGINE: Being two sisters living in your father's house. At that time, women had little control over their lives, and it seems her father was not a man to honor the love between Jacob and Rachel. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! [9] It is argued as to whether the adjective "tender" () should be taken to mean "delicate and soft" or "weary".[10]. How Is It Possible that Jacob Mistakes Leah for Rachel? He was then allowed to marry Rachel as well, in return for seven more years of labour. Pursuing the Lord keeps your heart tender as you face trials and endure grief. Sisters, rivals, mothers, matriarchsthese two women had a complicated relationship. The groom paid a bride-price to the brides family. - No, what reason for that? Leah's story has 3 episodes: Leah is a young unmarried girl, rather plain in appearance. She married Jacob and had two biological children with him - Joseph and Benjamin. Jealousy can creep up into any type of situation and does not just affect one type of person more than another. Leah chose to praise and be thankful for Gods role in her life. Leah was the mother of six of Jacob's sons, including his first four (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah), and later two more (Issachar and Zebulun), and a daughter (Dinah). But Laban deceived Jacob. Jacob's uncle, Laban, had two daughters. [f] Then she ceased bearing. Biblical passages are dismissive of Leah and favorable of Rachel, with Rachel said to be beautiful and of Leah, only that she had "weary", "tired" or "tender" eyes. It begins in Genesis 29 with Jacob fleeing the wrath of his brother, having deceptively stolen his brother's inheritance. As Rabbi Sarah Mack writes in T'Ruah, the Hebrew word in that passage could be translated in several ways, and the contextual clues here don't really help. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Leah never seems to gain the affections of Jacob, yet her life is evidence of Gods devotion to her. And he abode with him the space of a month. Rachel in the Bible is a quiet character who occasionally speaks her mind and sometimes acts with questionable integrity. Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, "We are witnesses. Fearful of his brother's wrath, Jacob flees his homeland for Haran, where he meets his maternal family, including Laban and his daughters. Marriage prospects appear limited and sadly, all you want is what your sister has. She was a shepherd and household manager in a town called Haran. 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. You see, God enabled Leah to have four sons because the Lord saw that Leah was unloved (Genesis 29:31). Learn more about Rachel and Leah. Through writing and speaking opportunities, she is passionate about encouraging others in learning more about the Bible and maturing in their faith. It can be clear that Jacobs negative reaction to waking up with Leah as his bride, and not his desired pick Rachel, was taken by Leah as a flashing neon sign of rejection. As a woman, we are designed to be pursued. In time, Jacob was able to acquire a flock of sheep, camels, and goats of his own. The narrative, which can be found in Genesis 29, is described by National Geographic as "the Bible's original love triangle," inasmuch as it involves a man, two women, and his, shall we say, "complicated" feelings for both of them. a garland of the flowers I have gathered."[22]. At first childless, Rachel eventually gave birth to Joseph and died giving birth to Benjamin. The Torah introduces Leah by describing her with the phrase, "Leah had tender eyes" (Biblical Hebrew: ) (Genesis 29:17). Dante Gabriel Rossetti illustrated the scene in 1855. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. In Genesis 29, we meet Leah. Sisters, rivals, mothers, matriarchsthese two women had a complicated relationship. Garroway surveys marriage contracts from ancient Mesopotamia, which reveal some of the customs and traditions behind the biblical story of Rachel and Leah. Genesis 29:1-14. The world can throw us off course, keeping us coveting more instead of being content with what we have. Rachel was the daughter of Laban, the sister of Leah, and the niece of Rebekah. In Genesis 49:29-33, we learn that Leah is buried in a cave with Jacobs parents (Rebekah and Isaac) and grandparents (Sarah and Abraham). It's difficult to say with certainty since the Bible is generally quite thin when it comes to describing the physical attributes of its characters. both young and fair; along a plain she gathered Leah's first mention in the Bible comes in the story of Jacob. All rights reserved. Photo: Public Domain. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The monarch butterflys spots may be its superpower. 11Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. 2. Here are 5 surprising facts about Leah that take her story from deep sorrow to eternal joy: Photo Credit: Unsplash/Mohamed Nohassi. Joseph was born after the bride-price for Rachel was paid in full. The Biblical tale of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah is one of the more enduring love stories from the Bible's Old Testament. Leahs role as wife is one that tends to her husband, desperately trying to capture his heart. Whoever asks my name, know that I'm Leah, 1. However, in this case, the text does give readers precious little to go on. She is the mother of Jacob's first son Reuben. Discovering time-honored traditions in Texas, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Her marriage was not ideal, but God used it for His glory as she held an honored first position. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. In the Jesus Storybook Bible, the author covers the lives of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. And although the ending is not exactly happy, the entire narrative offers a glimpse into the cultural and religious practices of Jacob's day. Here's what you should know. Security in Gods love, His pursuit of us, and the desire to use our lives for His glory can manifest into a love story that is far more special than anything you could see on the silver screen. Required fields are marked *. Rachel (fl. 17Leah's eyes were weak,[a] but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 9:2; 2 Sam. It appears by computation that Jacob was now seventy years old when he bound himself apprentice for a wife; probably Rachel was young and scarce marriageable when Jacob came first, which made him the more willing to stay for her till his seven years were expired. [d] 34Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, Now this time my husband will be (R)attached to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore his name was called Levi. Although Jacob overlooked Leahs position in the family, God gave her the position of being the first daughter, the first wife, and the first mother to Jacobs first son. Leah means a wild cow or ox. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. Her blessing of a lovely body did not prevent her from having other problems. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 21Then Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed. 22So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and (J)made a feast. Question What is the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel? Unfortunately, Rachel died in childbirth. Was Mary Magdalene a Prostitute? Most of these were oral agreements that were solemnized by an oath and the exchange of valuables or goods, such as furniture, clothing, textiles, jewelry, servants, or land. The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" or similar words, depending on the English translation. 18 above]; ch. The Hebrew word is rakkoth could also be translated to tenderhearted. One night, he dreamed of a ladder going up into heaven. This is the same well his mother Rebekah drew water from before she married Isaac. Rachel and Leahtwo powerful but contrasting personalities, each representing a world of her own. Is It Wrong for Christians to Wear Makeup and Jewelry? Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! We first learn that she was unloved and unfavored with a tender heart versus an attractive body. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. And while that's not unusual today particularly in the West in Jacob's day and age, the two women would have been practically ancient in terms of being marriage material. [21] Dante Alighieri's Purgatorio includes a dream of Rachel and Leah, which inspired illustrations by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and others: " in my dream, I seemed to see a woman You will find abundance in your relationship with the Lord. When Jacob realizes the deception, he confronts Laban, and they come to another agreement. After paying the bride-price, the groom was allowed to marry the bride. Sheep can be docile animals. By this time, these women had borne him 11 sons and a daughter. Laban was a farmer. Her article, Why Leah Gives Birth Before Rachel, examines Jacobs marriages to Leah and Racheland their resulting childrenin light of ancient Mesopotamian marriage contracts. Leahs heart was tender and created specifically to fulfill the task of Jacobs first wife and many sons. When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children,she became jealous of her sister. Made with clay, wire, and recycled paper, the characters come to life in frame-by-frame motion. The two wrestled all night; the word wrestled (yeabeq) is another of Genesis wordplays, using Jacobs name (yaaqov) and that of the river (yabboq). It is not until Leah has seven children that God remembers Rachel, and she bears her first son (Genesis 20:2024). What Can Leah and Rachel Teach Us about Security in God? This level of praise left a legacy which brought us a Savior. According to Genesis 29, both Rachel and Leah live with Jacob in an intimate relationship, but only Leah bears children. The agreement and exchange of goods underscored both the economic aspect of marriage and the strengthening of social kinship bonds. As Study.com notes, it was not uncommon for ancient cultures to marry off their girls at puberty. Laban switches Leah, his older daughter, for Rachel, his younger daughter. God hearkens to Leah's tears and prayers and allows her to marry Jacob even before Rachel does. These readings aim . Leah responded by offering her handmaid Zilpah to Jacob, and named and raised the two sons (Gad and Asher) that Zilpah gave birth to. In the Biblical account, Jacob is dispatched to the hometown of Labanthe brother of his mother Rebekahto avoid being killed by his brother Esau, and to find a wife. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. 32And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben,[c] for she said, Because the Lord (Q)has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me. 33She conceived again and bore a son, and said, Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also. And she called his name Simeon. Throughout her life the emptiness of her marriage was filled with the love of her Lord who sees her, hears her, and remembers the ache of her heart. According to this story, Leah was destined to marry Jacob's older twin brother, Esau. He notices Laban's younger daughter Rachel and falls in love with her. Rachel & Leah - Women of the Bible. In the Rabbinic mind, the two brothers are polar opposites; Jacob being a God-fearing scholar and Esau being a hunter who also indulges in idolatry and adultery. Rachel envied Leah's tearful prayers, by which she merited to marry the tzaddik and bear six of his twelve sons. Seeing that she was unable to conceive, Rachel offered her handmaid Bilhah to Jacob, and named and raised the two sons (Dan and Naphtali) that Bilhah gave birth to. Why then have you deceived me? 26Laban said, It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Rachel, in Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), one of the two wives of the patriarch Jacob. In Samuel 16:7 CSB, when the prophet Samuel anoints David over his older and stronger brothers as God instructs him not to look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Genesis 29:31 suggests God opens Leahs womb right away because she is unloved. At long last, the strangeran angel of the Lord, or perhaps God himselfrelented, and declared that Jacob would be known as Israel (he who prevails with God) (Genesis 32:28). University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, "Leah's Tender Eyes," at jerusalemperspective.com, Prophets in the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leah&oldid=1159982641, Articles containing Akkadian-language text, Articles containing Biblical Hebrew-language text, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from October 2022, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 13 June 2023, at 19:46. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). ESV Text Edition: 2016. The stone on the well's mouth was large, 3and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well. However, Laban wanted Jacob to pay for Rachel, and indeed, Jacob worked for his relative for seven years to earn her hand. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. After completing his wedding obligations to Leah, Jacob can marry Rachel immediately in exchange for another seven years of service. God did bless Rachel with conceiving a child but because she wanted more, as jealousy had its way, she became pregnant again. 30 Days in Acts A Journey: Igniting the Flame of the Early Church, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Jacob is the son of Isaac and will continue the family line that God promised would change the world. She is the mother of Jacob's first son Reuben. On the wedding night, however, Laban switches Leah for Rachel. At the time, Leah only knew that her fourth son evoked praise to God and named him Judah. Leah, however, is described as having "weak eyes." Genesis 23:9,17-20;25:9;49:30,31;50:13; Acts 7:16, Genesis 30:20;35:23;46:14;49:13; Exodus 1:3; 1 Chronicles 2:1, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Revelation, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, Verse Mapping Bible, Comfort Print: Find Connections in Scripture Using a Unique 5-Step Process. Leah has children right away because Jacob has fulfilled his marriage contract obligations. Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. On some occasions, the groom was allowed to marry the bride before the full bride-price had been paid. Each woman desired to grow spiritually in her avodat HaShem (service of God), and therefore sought closeness to the tzadik (Jacob) who is God's personal emissary in this world. He was then allowed to marry Rachel as well, in return for seven more years of labour. Are electric bikes the future of green transportation? What sticks out to me is that things arent always as they seem. gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. Leah was buried with fellow women who were not perfect, but worthy of honor because they birthed sons who fulfilled Gods promise to Abraham. Article Images Copyright , 5 Important Things You Should Know about Leah. Jacobs concubine Bilhah gave birth to Dan and Naphtali (Genesis 30:3-8), while another slave, Zilpah, gave him Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-13). In this story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel we see how God worked through this family to bring about His will by their sons eventually making up the twelve tribes of Israel. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.. There are many lessons we can learn from this story, but to me, it's the emotional undercurrent that I am most fascinated with. Jacob was in love with Rachel ( Genesis 29:17-18 ). Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. While others may appear to have everything together on the outside, focus on the condition of your heart. Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. 12:12]. (Genesis 29). This was to pay the bride-price, part of an ancient Near Eastern wedding contract. [e] 35And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore she called his name (S)Judah. One day, Leah's firstborn son Reuben returned from the field with mandrakes for his mother. Daughters in the Bible: Leah and Rachel, Used by Their Father May 10, 2018 Leave a comment Last year, we took a look at the lives of Leah and Rachel as mother's and the wife of Jacob . Explore the ancient Near Eastern context for the biblical story of Rachel and Leah in Kristine Henriksen Garroways article Why Leah Gives Birth Before Rachel, published in the Fall 2022 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review. gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. In medieval Christian symbolism, Rachel was taken as a symbol of the contemplative (monastic) Christian life, and Leah as a symbol of the active (non-monastic) life. Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! Her story unfolds alongside her sister Rachel's. You might want to check it out to get the full picture of what was happening to Leah. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. c. 1500 bce). View more Genesis 29:17 meaning, interpretation, and commentary "Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured." 27(L)Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years. 28Jacob did so, and completed her week. Answer Leah was the daughter of Laban, the sister of Rachel, a wife of Jacob, and the mother of seven of Jacob's children. Wildfire smoke affects birds too. When. 6 Reasons Women over 50 Can Do Brave Things, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Start for FREE. God saw the rejection that Leah faced, and knew what having sons would mean to her. English Standard Version (ESV). I am grateful for this verse as it reminds me that what God sees as greater worth to the kingdom is not the outward beauty but the heart within. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! According to the scriptures, God saw that Leah was "unloved" and opened her womb as consolation. Leah Is Tenderhearted. Just as Jacob had struggled with God, so too would the nation of Israel wrestle for centuries with its obedience to the Lord. For less than $5/mo. Leah was Jacob's first wife, and the older sister of his second (and favored) wife Rachel. This is a story of love, loss, and loneliness which leaves a legacy of both faith and pain. The unloved Leah bore seven of Jacobs childrensix sons, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, as well as a daughter, Dinah. 13As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, (F)he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. 30:26; 31:41; [Hos. A new studyinvolving a mannequin wearing wigs in a wind tunnelreveals how. Did Indiana Jones help or hurt archaeology? [15] Frustrated that she was not able to conceive at all, Rachel offered to trade her night with their husband with Leah in return for the mandrakes. Thus, Joseph was considered a legitimate heir. Why the long delay for Rachel? According to some commentaries, Bilhah and Zilpah are actually half-sisters of Leah and Rachel.[14]. We must rejoice, pray, and give thanks for who God is not based on our current circumstances. Following seven years of servitude, she'd have been pushing 20. By Caryl Krueger Categories: Women in the Old Testament Peacemaking is an admirable quality, and the story of Rachel and Leah underlines its necessity. The story also weaves a tale of deception and chicanery being overcome by love and pure force of will. Jacob rolls away the stone covering the well and introduces himself to Rachel with a kiss. He stills pursues her heart, even if no one else did. flowers, and even as she sang, she said: The seven years pass, and Jacob marries Labans daughterbut not the one he expected. According to Genesis 28:2,[5] the family resided in Paddan Aram, an area believed to correspond with the historical Upper Mesopotamia.[6]. At first glance, Leahs story is full of grief. Article Images Copyright . Why curly hair was an evolutionary advantage. The blessing we see in Leahs life is that her dependence on Jacobs love and attention slowly turns toward God. Genesis Chapters 29 - 35 Introduction Rachel and Leah were two sisters who married the same man - Jacob. 17 God listened to Leah, and she became pregnant and bore Jacob a fifth son. However, the final installment must be paid before the birth of the first child. 7 Ways to Love the Difficult People in Your Church. Michelangelo purposely created demure, even diminutive females that represent Faith and Good Works, or the active and the contemplative life. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.Rather, it should be that of your inner self,the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in Gods sight (1 Peter 3:3-4). He required Jacob to work seven years for him in exchange for marrying Rachel (Genesis 29:15-18).
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