Gen 29:31-35 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 29:31-30:24: 29:31–30:24 The rivalry between these sisters explains much of the later rivalry among their sons, and then among the tribes, just as the rivalry between Jacob and Laban foreshadowed conflict between Israel and the Arameans of Damascus (2 Sam 8:5-6 ; 10:8-19 ; 1 Kgs 20:1-34 ; 2 Kgs 5:1–8:29 ; 13:1-25 ; Isa 7:1-9 ). • God champions the cause of the poor and oppressed; he exalted Leah, the despised first wife, as the first to become a mother. Judah’s kingly tribe and Levi’s priestly line came through her despite Jacob’s favoritism for Rachel and her children. Despite the tension and jealousy resulting from Laban’s treachery and Jacob’s favoritism, God still built Jacob’s family and brought about the births of the tribal ancestors. Summary for Gen 29:31-35: 29:31-35 Leah’s first four sons were born in rapid succession, but Rachel could not conceive . She was barren, like Sarah and Rebekah (cp. 16:1 ; 25:21 ; see also 1 Sam 1:1-28 ; Luke 1:5-25 ). • Each name is a memorable wordplay on Leah’s experience and hopes.

Summary for Gen 29:31-30:24: 29:31–30:24 ^a The rivalry between these sisters explains much of the later rivalry among their sons, and then among the tribes, just as the rivalry between Jacob and Laban foreshadowed conflict between Israel and the Arameans of Damascus (2 Sam 8:5-6 ^b; 10:8-19 ^c; 1 Kgs 20:1-34 ^d; 2 Kgs 5:1–8:29 ^e; 13:1-25 ^f; Isa 7:1-9 ^g).

• God champions the cause of the poor and oppressed; he exalted Leah, the despised first wife, as the first to become a mother. Judah’s kingly tribe and Levi’s priestly line came through her despite Jacob’s favoritism for Rachel and her children. Despite the tension and jealousy resulting from Laban’s treachery and Jacob’s favoritism, God still built Jacob’s family and brought about the births of the tribal ancestors.
Summary for Gen 29:31-35: 29:31-35 ^h Leah’s first four sons were born in rapid succession, but Rachel could not conceive. She was barren, like Sarah and Rebekah (cp. 16:1 ⁱ; 25:21 ^j; see also 1 Sam 1:1-28 ^k; Luke 1:5-25 ^l).

• Each name is a memorable wordplay on Leah’s experience and hopes.
29:32 ^m Reuben (Hebrew re’uben) sounds like the Hebrew for “He has seen my misery” (ra‘ah be‘onyi). His birth gave Leah consolation from God and hope for Jacob’s love. Jacob seems not to have seen her misery, but God did (cp. 16:14 ⁿ; 24:62 ^o; 25:11 ^p). The name was a reminder of God’s intervention.
29:33 ^q Leah named her second son Simeon. The name suggests that she had cried out to the Lord and was heard (cp. 16:11 ^r).
29:34 ^s Leah named her third son Levi, hoping that her husband would become “attached” to her since she had given him three sons. This hope was not fulfilled.
29:35 ^t Leah reconciled herself to the reality that nothing would turn Jacob’s affections toward her. She named her fourth son Judah with the sentiment, “I will praise the Lord.” She seems to have given up on Jacob, taking her consolation from the Lord.