Genesis 29:17

17 Leah [was] tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored.

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 to Jacob, Because thou [art] my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for naught? 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] tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored.

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.