Genesis 29:17 (WEB)
Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Genesis 29:17–20 (KJV)
17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. 18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. 19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
Key words
- רָחֵלRachel · Hebrew
- 'Rachel' — the name means 'ewe,' a female sheep.
- יְפַת־תֹּאַר וִיפַת מַרְאֶהyefat-to'ar vifat mar'eh · Hebrew
- 'beautiful and well favoured' — beautiful in form and appearance.
- וַיֶּאֱהַב יַעֲקֹב אֶת־רָחֵלvayye'ehav Ya'aqov et-Rachel · Hebrew
- 'Jacob loved Rachel' — seven years of service 'seemed unto him but a few days.'
Why it matters
Rachel is beautiful and truly loved; Jacob serves seven years for her and counts them as days. Pitre sketches her as the beloved wife (pp 142–143): loved, then tricked out of her wedding by Laban's substitution of Leah, then barren while her sister bears sons. The beloved wife whose love is bound up with sorrow is the pattern for Mary, the beloved mother whose motherhood passes through the sword of the cross.