Genesis 29:17

17 Leah's eyes were weak, 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 Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?"

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

17 Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.

18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."

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