Genesis 29:31

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, 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 servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.

30 Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.

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

32 And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”

33 Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon.