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It seems like Leah has always been "put down" because the Bible says, "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful". |
Leah's Eyes
by Kirk Castleman
It seems like Leah has always been "put down" because the Bible says, "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful" (Genesis 29:17, NIV; NAS). Some of the other versions say that Leah's eyes "didn't sparkle", or were "dull", "tender", or "delicate", implying that perhaps she was ugly. One preacher indicated that the expression meant hat she was so ugly that "your eyes hurt to look at her"!
Fortunately, some of the newer translations have a better rendering: "lovely" (NRS) or "pretty" (N LT)! All the rest of the occurrences of this Hebrew word in the Old Testament never imply something that is ugly or even unattractive! It has been my opinion that Leah's "distinctive beauty" was her eyes and Rachel's was her "figure". In other words, they both had a startlingly different beauty, but Jacob was captivated and "head over heels in love" with Rachel!
Read old Adam Clarke's Commentary (I like it because it agrees with my opinion!): "I believe the word means just the reverse of the signification generally given to it. The design of the inspired writer is to compare both the sisters together, that the balance may appear to be greatly in favor of Rachel. The chief recommendation of Leah was her soft and beautiful eyes; but Rachel was `beautiful in her shape, person, mien, ,and gait,' and `beautiful in her countenance'. The words plainly signify a fine shape and fine features, all that can be considered as essential to personal beauty."
The glorious truth of the matter is that this unselected, somewhat unloved, woman with "beautiful eyes" was the one God chose to not only bring forth the "first-born", but also was the mother of Judah, the Royal Seed-Line Tribe, the ancestor of David, the human-father-King of our Lord and Savior, King Jesus! Leah had SIX of the 12 patriarchs and even more; it as Rachel who stole the "household idols" (Gen. 31:32f)! Who does God favor? "Many who are last will be first. . ." 0, the ways of our awesome God!
Kirk Castleman
Minister of the Lake Houston Church of Christ