Genesis 29:31

31 Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

Genesis 29:31 Meaning and 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 her husband's affections, he opened her womb;
or gave her conception; as Onkelos paraphrases it: but Rachel [was] barren;
bare no children as yet, and for many years after, ( Genesis 30:22-24 ) .

Genesis 29:31 In-Context

29 Laban also gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.

30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years.

31 Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

32 Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me."

33 Then she conceived again and bore a son and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." So she named him Simeon.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "hated"