And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

GENESIS 29:31KJV
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Genesis 29:31 (KJV)

What does Genesis 29:31 mean?

Genesis 29:31 says that when the LORD noticed Leah was unloved, He allowed her to have children, while Rachel could not conceive. This verse highlights how God responded to Leah’s difficult situation by giving her the ability to bear children, setting up a contrast between the two sisters.

In the story, Jacob is married to both Leah and Rachel, but he loves Rachel more. Leah feels rejected and overlooked. The verse shows that God is aware of Leah’s pain and acts on her behalf, giving her children while Rachel remains childless for a time. This sets the stage for the family dynamics and tensions that follow in the narrative.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 29:31

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God, emphasizing His direct involvement and care in the situation.
  • "hated" (שָׂנֵא, sane’): This word often means “unloved” or “disfavored” rather than outright hatred. It shows Leah was not treated with the same affection as Rachel.
  • "opened" (פָּתַח, patach): This word means “to open,” here referring to God enabling Leah to conceive. It stresses that having children is seen as something God controls.
  • "womb" (רֶחֶם, rechem): The word for “womb” points to the very personal and physical way God intervenes in Leah’s life.

Why Genesis 29:31 matters

  • Genesis 29:31 clarifies that God is attentive to those who feel unloved or overlooked, showing His concern for individuals in distress.
  • The verse explains the origin of the rivalry between Leah and Rachel, which shapes much of the following story and the birth of the tribes of Israel.
  • By using the word for “hated” to mean “unloved,” the verse helps readers understand the emotional reality Leah faced, rather than suggesting Jacob felt actual hatred toward her.

Where else these words appear

“barren” Hebrew H6135 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 11:30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
  • Deuteronomy 7:14 Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

“womb” Hebrew H7358 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 20:18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
  • Numbers 12:12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.
  • Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

“Leah” Hebrew H3812 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 29:16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
  • Genesis 30:12 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.
  • Genesis 31:33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.

“Rachel” Hebrew H7354 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 29:6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
  • Genesis 30:2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
  • Genesis 33:1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.