30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years.
30 Jacob then slept with her. And he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban another seven years.
30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.
30 So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her much more than Leah. He then stayed and worked for Laban the additional seven years.
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.
31 And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
31 When God realized that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb. But Rachel was barren.
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive.
(Read Genesis 29:31-35)
The names Leah gave her children, expressed her respect and regard, both to God and to her husband. Reuben, or See a son, with this thought, Now will my husband love me; Levi, or joined, expecting, Now will my husband be joined unto me. Mutual affection is both the duty and comfort of the married relation; and yoke-fellows should study to recommend themselves to each other, 1 Corinthians 7:33,34. She thankfully acknowledges the kind providence of God in hearing her. Whatever supports and comforts us under afflictions, or tends to our deliverance from them, God must be owned in it. Her fourth son she called Judah, or praise, saying, Now will I praise the Lord. This was he, of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing, ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Fresh favours should quicken us to praise God for former favours; Now will I praise the Lord more and better than I have done. All our praises must centre in Christ, both as the matter of them, and as the Mediator of them. He descended after the flesh from him whose name was "Praise," and He is our praise. Is Christ formed in my heart? Now will I praise the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 29:30
Commentary on Genesis 29:15-30
(Read Genesis 29:15-30)
During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years' service Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, 1 Corinthians 7:2.