This verse highlights the birth of Judah, Leah’s fourth son by Jacob, whom she names in praise of the Lord.
“And she conceived again and bore a son and said, ‘This time I will praise the Lord.’ Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.” (Genesis 29:35)
In this verse, Leah conceives and gives birth to her fourth son. She had previously felt unloved by her husband Jacob, and she hoped that her children would draw her closer to him. Here she proclaims, “This time I will praise the Lord,” revealing her focus on God’s goodness rather than her own circumstances. Leah names her son “Judah,” a name meaning “praise,” reflecting her declaration of gratitude. Historically, Jacob (also called Israel) lived during the early second millennium B.C., and he was dwelling in the region of Paddan-aram at this time with his large family.
Judah becomes an especially significant figure in biblical history. He is the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, mentioned here in Genesis 29:35, and he later grows into the tribe of Judah, which took the leading position among the tribes of Israel (see also Deuteronomy 33:7). From Judah’s descendants arose many kings, including King David, who reigned around 1010-970 B.C. The royal line of David ultimately points forward to Jesus Christ, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5), establishing a direct link between Leah’s newborn son and God’s redemptive plan for the whole world.
Leah’s statement, “This time I will praise the Lord,” shows that in the midst of human struggle for love and acceptance, God can transform disappointment into hope. By naming her son Judah, she proclaims that her praise belongs to the Lord, and through this moment, the line of promise continues in a most pivotal way.
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Genesis 29:35 meaning
“And she conceived again and bore a son and said, ‘This time I will praise the Lord.’ Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.” (Genesis 29:35)
In this verse, Leah conceives and gives birth to her fourth son. She had previously felt unloved by her husband Jacob, and she hoped that her children would draw her closer to him. Here she proclaims, “This time I will praise the Lord,” revealing her focus on God’s goodness rather than her own circumstances. Leah names her son “Judah,” a name meaning “praise,” reflecting her declaration of gratitude. Historically, Jacob (also called Israel) lived during the early second millennium B.C., and he was dwelling in the region of Paddan-aram at this time with his large family.
Judah becomes an especially significant figure in biblical history. He is the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, mentioned here in Genesis 29:35, and he later grows into the tribe of Judah, which took the leading position among the tribes of Israel (see also Deuteronomy 33:7). From Judah’s descendants arose many kings, including King David, who reigned around 1010-970 B.C. The royal line of David ultimately points forward to Jesus Christ, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5), establishing a direct link between Leah’s newborn son and God’s redemptive plan for the whole world.
Leah’s statement, “This time I will praise the Lord,” shows that in the midst of human struggle for love and acceptance, God can transform disappointment into hope. By naming her son Judah, she proclaims that her praise belongs to the Lord, and through this moment, the line of promise continues in a most pivotal way.