Genesis 29:34

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 29:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And she conceived again, and bare a son. And said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore was his name called Levi.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And she conceived again, and bare a son. And said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore was his name called Levi.
Genesis 29:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34And she conceived again, and bare a son. And said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore was his name called Levi.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And she conceived again, and bare a son, etc.] A third time, as soon as she well could after the former birth: and said, now this time will my husband be joined to me; in greater affection and stronger ties of love, and cleave unto her: because I have born him three sons; which she considered as a threefold cord, binding his affections to her, which could not be easily broke; and therefore was his name called Levi; which signifies “joined”; from him the Levites sprung, and had their name.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“29:34 Leah named her third son Levi, hoping that her husband would become “attached” to her since she had given him three sons. This hope was not fulfilled.”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification