Genesis 29:31

Jacob’s Children

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.

Genesis 29:31 in Other Translations

31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive.

31 When God realized that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb. But Rachel was barren.

31 And Jehovah saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb. But Rachel was barren.

31 When the LORD saw Leah was unloved, he made it possible for her to have children, but Rachel had none.

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

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 servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant.

30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.

32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.”

33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.

Cross References

• 1. ver 33; Deuteronomy 21:15-17
• 2. S Genesis 11:30; Genesis 30:1; S Genesis 16:2; Ruth 4:13; 1 Samuel 1:19; Psalms 127:3