The Bible Says
Genesis 29:31-35 Meaning

When we look at Genesis 29:31-35, we see God’s kindness toward Leah, who was the less favored wife of Jacob. Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. (v. 31) This declaration shows that God recognized Leah’s plight and responded by allowing her to conceive. Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me" (v. 32). In the ancient Near East (around the early 20th century BC, when Jacob lived), childbearing was a source of great honor, and Leah’s hope was that the birth of Reuben would strengthen her bond with Jacob. Although she was unloved, God demonstrated His care and reminded her that acceptance did not ultimately depend on human favor.

The birth of Simeon and Levi further revealed Leah’s yearning for Jacob’s affection: Then she conceived again and bore a son and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." So she named him Simeon (v. 33). Leah recognized God as the One who heard her cries, highlighting her growing faith. She conceived again and bore a son and said, "Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore he was named Levi (v. 34). Even as she longed for greater closeness in her marriage, each new son provided a sign that God was working mightily in her circumstances. Leah’s children became foundational to the future tribes of Israel, including the Levites, who would later serve as priests under the covenant established at Sinai.

Finally, Leah’s focus shifts profoundly with the fourth son. And she conceived again and bore a son and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing. (v. 35) By naming her son Judah, which sounds like a Hebrew term for “praise,” Leah placed her heart on worshiping the LORD rather than pinning her hopes solely on human relationship. Historically, Judah became a crucial tribe in Israel’s lineage, as from Judah’s descendants would come King David (around 1010-970 BC) and, ultimately, Jesus the Messiah according to later genealogies in the New Testament.