Genesis 29:17

17 And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was 1beautiful of form and face.

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 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?"
16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face.
18 Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."
19 Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me."

Cross References 1

  • 1. Genesis 12:11, 14; Genesis 26:7

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "beautiful of appearance"
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