Genesis 29:17

17 Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

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 Laban said to Jacob, "You shouldn't work for me for nothing just because you are my relative. How much pay do you want?"
16 Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger Rachel.
17 Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.
18 Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, "I will work seven years for you, if you will let me marry Rachel."
19 Laban answered, "I would rather give her to you than to anyone else; stay here with me."

Footnotes 1

Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.