Bereshis 29:17

17 Leah had weak eyes; but Rachel was yafeh and lovely in form.

Bereshis 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.

Bereshis 29:17 In-Context

15 And Lavan said unto Ya’akov, Because thou art my relative, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall thy maskoret (wages) be?

16 And Lavan had two banot: the shem of the elder was Leah, and the shem of the younger was Rachel.

17 Leah had weak eyes; but Rachel was yafeh and lovely in form.

18 And Ya’akov loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee sheva shanim for Rachel thy bat haketannah (younger daughter).

19 And Lavan said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another ish; abide with me.