Genesis 29:31

Jacob Becomes the Father of Many Children

31 The LORD saw that Jacob didn't love Leah as much as he loved Rachel. So he let Leah have children. But Rachel wasn't able to have children.

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 gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her servant.

30 Jacob made love to Rachel also. He loved Rachel more than he loved Leah. And he worked for Laban for another seven years.

31 The LORD saw that Jacob didn't love Leah as much as he loved Rachel. So he let Leah have children. But Rachel wasn't able to have children.

32 Leah became pregnant. She had a son. She named him Reuben. She said, "The LORD has seen me suffer. Certainly my husband will love me now."

33 She became pregnant again. She had a son. Then she said, "The LORD heard that Jacob doesn't love me very much. That's why the LORD gave me this one too." So she named him Simeon.