Genesis 29:17

17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance.

Genesis 29:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:17

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.

Genesis 29:17 In-Context

15 And Laban saith to Jacob, `Is it because thou [art] my brother that thou hast served me for nought? declare to me what [is] thy hire.'

16 And Laban hath two daughters, the name of the elder [is] Leah, and the name of the younger Rachel,

17 and the eyes of Leah [are] tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance.

18 And Jacob loveth Rachel, and saith, `I serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter:'

19 and Laban saith, `It is better for me to give her to thee than to give her to another man; dwell with me;'