Genesis 29:32

³⁰ Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.

³¹ When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”

³³ Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon.

³⁴ Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”
KJV: And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
WEB: Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because the LORD has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”
ASV: And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben. For she said, Because Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction. For now my husband will love me.
DARBY: And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and called his name Reuben; for she said, Because Jehovah has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.
BLB: And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Surely YHWH has looked on my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”

ÅB: Og Lea ble fruktsommelig og fødte en sønn, og hun kalte ham Ruben[^1]; for hun sa: Herren har sett til meg i min ulykke; nå vil min mann elske meg.
OTB: Lea ble gravid og fødte en sønn. Hun kalte ham Ruben, for hun sa: «Herren har sett min elendighet. Sannelig vil min mann elske meg nå.»
B1930: Og Lea blev fruktsommelig og fødte en sønn, og hun kalte ham Ruben; for hun sa: Herren har sett til mig i min ulykke; nu vil min mann elske mig. / < se, en sønn!.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Deuteronomy 26:7
So we called out to the LORD, the God of our fathers; and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, toil, and oppression.
Read in context
Exodus 4:31
and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.
Read in context
Exodus 3:7
The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
Read in context
1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, pleading, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.”
Read in context
Genesis 42:27
At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of the sack.
Read in context
Psalms 106:44
Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress.
Read in context
Genesis 49:3–4
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
Read in context
Genesis 42:22
And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”
Read in context