Definition: And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel [was] barren.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 29:31. It’s a really important and slightly mysterious passage in the Bible! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God decided Leah wouldn’t want to marry Jacob. Let’s unpack that a little further: “And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated…” – This is key. The Lord noticed that Leah didn't love Jacob and wasn't happy with him. It’s like he sensed a problem between them. “…he opened her womb:” – This means God decided to stop the pregnancy between Leah and Jacob. He was essentially stopping it from happening. “But Rachel [was] barren.” – This is the real surprising part. After trying to stop the pregnancy, God decided that Rachel would not be able to have children. It meant she wouldn’t be able to have a child of her own. So, it's a story about a difficult situation where God intervened to prevent a relationship from developing. Why is this important? This verse highlights several things: God’s Sovereignty: It shows that God has ultimate control over people’s lives and relationships. Divine Intervention: It's not just about a bad situation; it's about God actively changing events to protect something good (Rachel’s future). A Test of Faith (maybe?): Some interpretations suggest this could be a test of Jacob’s faith, as he was struggling with the decision. Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant in biblical context? Give you some different perspectives on what it might mean?