Genesis - 29:17



17 Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 29:17.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
And Leah's eyes were tender. But Rachel was beautiful and well favored.
But Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was well favoured, and of a beautiful countenance.
And the eyes of Leah were tender; but Rachel was of beautiful form and beautiful countenance.
And Leah's eyes were tender; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
Leah was tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored.
and the eyes of Leah are tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance.
And Leah's eyes were clouded, but Rachel was fair in face and form.
And Leah's eyes were weak; but Rachel was of beautiful form and fair to look upon.
But while Leah was bleary-eyed, Rachel had an elegant appearance and was attractive to behold.
Oculi autem Leah erant teneri: at Rachel erat pulchra forma, et pulchra aspectu.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Leah was tender-eyed - רכות raccoth, soft, delicate, lovely. I believe the word means just the reverse of the signification generally given to it. The design of the inspired writer is to compare both the sisters together, that the balance may appear to be greatly in favor of Rachel. The chief recommendation of Leah was her soft and beautiful eyes; but Rachel was יפת תאר yephath toar, beautiful in her shape, person, mien, and gait, and יפת מראה yephath mareh, beautiful in her countenance. The words plainly signify a fine shape and fine features, all that can be considered as essential to personal beauty. Therefore Jacob loved her, and was willing to become a bond servant for seven years, that he might get her to wife; for in his destitute state he could produce no dowry, and it was the custom of those times for the father to receive a portion for his daughter, and not to give one with her. One of the Hindoo lawgivers says, "A person may become a slave on account of love, or to obtain a wife." The bad system of education by which women are spoiled and rendered in general good for nothing, makes it necessary for the husband to get a dowry with his wife to enable him to maintain her; whereas in former times they were well educated and extremely useful, hence he who got a wife almost invariably got a prize, or as Solomon says, got a good thing.

Leah was tender eyed,.... Blear eyed, had a moisture in them, which made them red, and so she was not so agreeable to look at; though Onkelos renders the words,"the eyes of Leah were beautiful,''as if her beauty lay in her eyes, and nowhere else:
but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured; in all parts, in the form of her countenance, in her shape and stature, and in her complexion, her hair black, her flesh white and ruddy, as Ben Melech observes.

Leah tender-eyed--that is, soft blue eyes--thought a blemish.
Rachel beautiful and well-favored--that is, comely and handsome in form. The latter was Jacob's choice.

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