Genesis 29:17

Arabic Bible AVD 1999 (الكتاب المقدس)

وَكَانَتْ عَيْنَا لَيْئَةَ ضَعِيفَتَيْنِ، وَأَمَّا رَاحِيلُ فَكَانَتْ حَسَنَةَ ٱلصُّورَةِ وَحَسَنَةَ ٱلْمَنْظَرِ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes the physical appearances of Leah and Rachel, two sisters. Leah is described as having tender eyes, while Rachel is described as beautiful and well-favored. The key message is the contrast in their appearances, which may have influenced their futures in the biblical narrative.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have two sisters. One sister is gentle and kind, like a soft teddy bear. The other sister is beautiful and everyone likes her a lot. This verse is talking about two sisters like that, named Leah and Rachel.

Historical Background

Genesis was written by Moses around 1400-1200 BCE. This verse is part of the narrative detailing the lives of the patriarchs and matriarchs of Israel. The descriptions of Leah and Rachel reflect cultural values and physical attributes that were considered important at the time.

Living It Out Today

In today’s world, this verse can remind us that different people have different qualities and appearances. Just like Leah and Rachel, each person brings unique strengths to the table. In a modern scenario, this can apply to workplace dynamics where different talents and personalities contribute to a team's success.

Topics

• appearance
• family
• sisters
• comparison
• beauty
• inner vs. outer beauty

Related Verses

• 1 Samuel 16:7
• 1 Samuel 18:9
• Luke 14:11
• 1 Peter 3:3-4
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Rachel described as 'beautiful and well favored'?

Rachel is described this way to highlight her physical attractiveness and the favor she received from others, which was culturally valued and often linked to her future in the narrative.

What does 'tender eyed' mean in the context of Leah?

Leah is described as having 'tender eyes', which could mean her eyes were gentle or perhaps less striking compared to Rachel, reflecting a different kind of beauty or appeal.

How does this verse relate to modern beauty standards?

This verse can be seen as a reflection of ancient beauty standards, which often focused on physical appearance. Today, society values a broader range of qualities beyond just physical beauty.

What can we learn from the comparison of Leah and Rachel?

We can learn that each person has unique qualities and strengths. The comparison between Leah and Rachel shows that different attributes can lead to different outcomes and roles in life.