Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. New Living Translation There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face. English Standard Version Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Berean Standard Bible Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. King James Bible Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. New King James Version Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. New American Standard Bible And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance. NASB 1995 And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face. NASB 1977 And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face. Legacy Standard Bible And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and beautiful in appearance. Amplified Bible Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Christian Standard Bible Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Holman Christian Standard Bible Leah had ordinary eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. American Standard Version And Leah's eyes were tender; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored. English Revised Version And Leah's eyes were tender; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. GOD'S WORD® Translation Leah had attractive eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and beautiful features. Good News Translation Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. International Standard Version Leah looked rather plain, but Rachel was lovely in form and appearance. Majority Standard Bible Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. NET Bible Leah's eyes were tender, but Rachel had a lovely figure and beautiful appearance.) New Heart English Bible Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. Webster's Bible Translation Leah was tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. World English Bible Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel has been beautiful of form and beautiful of appearance. Young's Literal Translation and the eyes of Leah are tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. Smith's Literal Translation And the eyes of Leah weak, and Rachel was fair of form and fair of look. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was well favoured, and of a beautiful countenance. Catholic Public Domain Version But while Leah was bleary-eyed, Rachel had an elegant appearance and was attractive to behold. New American Bible Leah had dull eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. New Revised Standard Version Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Leah had attractive eyes; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the eyes of Leah were tender and Rakhyl was beautiful in her appearance and her face was beautiful. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Leah's eyes were weak; but Rachel was of beautiful form and fair to look upon. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the eyes of Lea were weak. But Rachel was beautiful in appearance, and exceedingly fair in countenance. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel…16Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel. 17Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 18Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”… Cross References Song of Solomon 4:1 How beautiful you are, my darling—how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead. Song of Solomon 1:15 How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves. Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 1 Samuel 16:12 So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 1 Samuel 25:3 His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings. Esther 2:7 And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother. The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died, Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, / but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. 1 Corinthians 11:15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. Isaiah 53:2 He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. 1 Samuel 9:2 And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people. 1 Kings 1:3-4 Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. / The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her. 1 Peter 3:5-6 For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands, / just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear. 2 Samuel 14:25 Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw. 1 Corinthians 7:36 However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married. Treasury of Scripture Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored. Rachel. Genesis 29:6-12,18 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep… Genesis 30:1,2,22 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die… Genesis 35:19,20,24 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem… beautiful. Genesis 12:11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: Genesis 24:16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. Genesis 39:6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. Jump to Previous Appearance Attractive Beautiful Clouded Countenance Eyed Eyes Face Fair Favored Form Leah's Rachel Tender Weak Well-FavoredJump to Next Appearance Attractive Beautiful Clouded Countenance Eyed Eyes Face Fair Favored Form Leah's Rachel Tender Weak Well-FavoredGenesis 29 1. Jacob comes to the well of Haran.9. He becomes acquainted with Rachel. 13. Laban entertains him. 18. Jacob covenants for Rachel. 23. He is deceived by Laban with Leah. 28. He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more. 32. Leah bears Reuben; 33. Simeon; 34. Levi; 35. and Judah. Leah had weak eyes In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, physical appearance often played a significant role in marriage prospects. The description of Leah's eyes as "weak" may imply that they lacked the brightness or attractiveness that was culturally valued. This could have affected her desirability as a bride, especially in comparison to her sister Rachel. The Hebrew term used here can also mean "delicate" or "tender," suggesting a contrast to Rachel's more striking appearance. Leah's situation highlights themes of God's sovereignty and grace, as despite her perceived disadvantage, she becomes the mother of Judah, from whom the line of David and ultimately Jesus Christ descends. but Rachel was shapely and beautiful Persons / Places / Events 1. LeahThe elder daughter of Laban, described as having "weak eyes." The Hebrew term (rakkot) can mean tender or delicate, suggesting a contrast to Rachel's beauty. 2. Rachel The younger daughter of Laban, noted for her beauty and form. She captures Jacob's heart, leading to significant events in the account. 3. Laban The father of Leah and Rachel, who plays a pivotal role in the unfolding account of Jacob's marriages and service. 4. Jacob The son of Isaac and Rebekah, who falls in love with Rachel and works for Laban to marry her, only to be deceived into marrying Leah first. 5. Haran The place where Laban and his family reside, and where Jacob flees to escape his brother Esau's wrath. Teaching Points The Value of Inner BeautyWhile physical beauty is noted, the Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and character. Leah's account reminds us that God's purposes often transcend human perceptions. God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs Despite human preferences and actions, God's plans prevail. Leah, though less favored, becomes the mother of Judah, an ancestor of Jesus, illustrating God's sovereign choice. The Danger of Favoritism Jacob's preference for Rachel over Leah leads to family strife. Favoritism can cause division and pain, urging us to treat others with fairness and love. The Role of Patience and Perseverance Jacob's long service for Rachel teaches the value of patience and perseverance in pursuing what is right and meaningful. The Complexity of Human Relationships The dynamics between Leah, Rachel, and Jacob highlight the complexities of human relationships and the need for grace and understanding.(17) Leah was tender eyed.--Leah, whose name signifies languor, weariness, had dull bleared eyes. Probably she suffered, as so many do in that hot sandy region, from some form of ophthalmia. Rachel (Heb., the ewe) was, on the contrary, "beautiful and well favoured" (Heb., beautiful in form and beautiful in look). Leah's bleared eyes would be regarded in the East as a great defect, just as bright eyes were much admired. (See 1Samuel 16:12, where David is described as fair of eyes.) Yet it was not Rachel, with her fair face and well-proportioned figure, and her husband's lasting love, that was the mother of the progenitor of the Messiah, but the weary-eyed Leah.Verse 17. - 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). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Leahלֵאָ֖ה (lê·’āh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3812: Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacob had no sparkle רַכּ֑וֹת (rak·kō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 7390: Tender, delicate, soft in her eyes, וְעֵינֵ֥י (wə·‘ê·nê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain but Rachel וְרָחֵל֙ (wə·rā·ḥêl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob was הָֽיְתָ֔ה (hā·yə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be shapely יְפַת־ (yə·p̄aṯ-) Adjective - feminine singular construct Strong's 3303: Fair, beautiful and beautiful. וִיפַ֥ת (wî·p̄aṯ) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular construct Strong's 3303: Fair, beautiful Links Genesis 29:17 NIVGenesis 29:17 NLT Genesis 29:17 ESV Genesis 29:17 NASB Genesis 29:17 KJV Genesis 29:17 BibleApps.com Genesis 29:17 Biblia Paralela Genesis 29:17 Chinese Bible Genesis 29:17 French Bible Genesis 29:17 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 29:17 Leah's eyes were weak but Rachel was (Gen. 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