Genesis 29:17

17 Leah was tendereyed, but Rachel was beautiful and wellfavored.

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 And Laban said unto Jacob, "Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? Tell me, what shall thy wages be?"

16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

17 Leah was tendereyed, but Rachel was beautiful and wellfavored.

18 And Jacob loved Rachel, and said, "I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter."

19 And Laban said, "It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man. Abide with me."