Genesis 29:32-35
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
32 Leah conceived and bore a son, and she named him Reuben;[a] for she said, “It means, ‘The Lord saw my misery; surely now my husband will love me.’”(A) 33 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “It means, ‘The Lord heard that I was unloved,’ and therefore he has given me this one also”; so she named him Simeon.[b] 34 Again she conceived and bore a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, since I have now borne him three sons”; that is why she named him Levi.[c] 35 Once more she conceived and bore a son, and she said, “This time I will give thanks to the Lord”; therefore she named him Judah.[d] Then she stopped bearing children.(B)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 29:32 Reuben: the literal meaning of the Hebrew name is disputed. One interpretation is re’u ben, “look, a son!”, but here in Genesis (as also with the names of all the other sons of Jacob), it is given a symbolic rather than an etymological interpretation. Name and person were regarded as closely interrelated. The symbolic interpretation of Reuben’s name, according to the Yahwist source, is based on the similar-sounding ra’a be‘onyi, “he saw my misery.” In the Elohist source, the name is explained by the similar-sounding ye’ehabani, “he will love me.”
- 29:33 Simeon: in popular etymology, related to shama‘, “he heard.”
- 29:34 Levi: related to yillaweh, “he will become attached.”
- 29:35 Judah: related to ’odeh, “I will give thanks, praise.”
Genesis 29:32-35
New International Version
32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.(A) She named him Reuben,[a](B) for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery.(C) Surely my husband will love me now.”
33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved,(D) he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.[b](E)
34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me,(F) because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.[c](G)
35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah.[d](H) Then she stopped having children.(I)
Footnotes
- Genesis 29:32 Reuben sounds like the Hebrew for he has seen my misery; the name means see, a son.
- Genesis 29:33 Simeon probably means one who hears.
- Genesis 29:34 Levi sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for attached.
- Genesis 29:35 Judah sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for praise.
Genesis 30:18
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
18 Leah then said, “God has given me my wages for giving my maidservant to my husband”; so she named him Issachar.[a]
Read full chapter
Genesis 30:18
New International Version
18 Then Leah said, “God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband.”(A) So she named him Issachar.[a](B)
Footnotes
- Genesis 30:18 Issachar sounds like the Hebrew for reward.
Genesis 30:20
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
20 and Leah said, “God has brought me a precious gift. This time my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons”; so she named him Zebulun.[a]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 30:20 Zebulun: explained by the terms, zebadani…zebed tob, “he has brought me a precious gift,” and yizbeleni, “he will honor me.”
Genesis 30:20
New International Version
20 Then Leah said, “God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor,(A) because I have borne him six sons.” So she named him Zebulun.[a](B)
Footnotes
- Genesis 30:20 Zebulun probably means honor.
Genesis 35:23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
23 The sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun;
Read full chapter
Genesis 35:23
New International Version
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.