Genesis 29:35 kjv

And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Genesis 29:35 nkjv

And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Now I will praise the LORD." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

Genesis 29:35 niv

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. Then she stopped having children.

Genesis 29:35 esv

And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

Genesis 29:35 nlt

Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah, for she said, "Now I will praise the LORD!" And then she stopped having children.

Genesis 29 verses

Genesis 29 35 Meaning

Genesis 29:35 records Leah giving birth to her fourth son, Judah. Unlike her previous children where her naming reflected her desire for Jacob's affection, this name signifies a pivotal moment of pure praise to the LORD (Yahweh). She declared, "Now I will praise the LORD," indicating a spiritual turning point where her focus shifted from her husband's love to God's goodness, independent of her personal circumstances or marital status. The cessation of childbearing after Judah marks a significant pause in her fertility.

Genesis 29 35 Context

Genesis 29:35 is situated within the narrative of Jacob's household, specifically highlighting the complicated marital dynamics between Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. Jacob, deeply in love with Rachel, was deceived into marrying Leah first (Gen 29:16-25). This created an imbalance, with Rachel being loved and Leah being "hated" or unloved in comparison (Gen 29:30-31). God, seeing Leah's affliction, "opened her womb" while Rachel remained barren (Gen 29:31). This verse marks the birth of Leah's fourth son. Her previous three sons' names (Reuben, Simeon, Levi) reflect her continuous longing for Jacob's love and recognition, expressing a hope that each new son would win his affection or alleviate her pain (Gen 29:32-34). Judah's birth signifies a profound shift in Leah's perspective from seeking human validation to expressing unreserved gratitude and praise to God, which is critical for understanding the subsequent role of the tribe of Judah in redemptive history. Culturally, large families, especially sons, were a sign of divine blessing and status, providing security and ensuring a lineage.

Genesis 29 35 Word analysis

• And she conceived again, and bore a son:

  • conceived (הָרָה, harah): To become pregnant. Simple yet denotes a continuation of divine favor in opening Leah's womb.
  • bore (וַתֵּלֶד, wattēled): From the root ילד (yalad), "to give birth." Regular occurrence in a woman's life in this era, but always seen as a gift from God, especially after prolonged infertility.
  • a son: Signifies another male heir, important for family lineage and strength.

• and said, Now will I praise the LORD:

  • said (וַתֹּאמֶר, wattōʾmer): Her utterance is deliberate and reveals her inner state and spiritual progression.
  • Now (הַפַּעַם, hapām): "This time," or "at this instance." This word emphasizes the unique nature of this child's birth and Leah's response compared to her previous sons. It signals a spiritual turning point.
  • will I praise (אוֹדֶה, ʾodeh): From the root יָדָה (yadah). It means "to thank, praise, give thanks, confess." This is not just intellectual acknowledgment but heartfelt, public praise and adoration. It denotes an admission or confession of God's goodness.
  • the LORD (יהוה, YHWH or Yahweh): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, revealed character and relationship with His people. Leah acknowledges God by His intimate, powerful name, signifying a deeper personal encounter and recognition of His sovereignty beyond her circumstances. Previous children's names mention YHWH, but the intent here is different.

• therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

  • Judah (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah): Derived from the same root יָדָה (yadah), meaning "praise" or "He (the LORD) shall be praised." It directly reflects Leah's declaration of praise to Yahweh. The name itself serves as a constant reminder of this moment of profound gratitude and shifting focus.
  • and left bearing (וַתַּעֲמֹד מִלֶּדֶת, wattaʿamōd millædet): Literally "and she stood still from bearing" or "she ceased from bearing." This indicates a temporary halt to childbearing, not a permanent end. This pause emphasizes the distinct spiritual significance of Judah's birth before she later has more children (Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah, as recorded in Gen 30). This particular period highlights God's intentional sovereignty in her family life.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And she conceived again, and bore a son": This phrase simply records the ongoing fertility given to Leah by God. The "again" emphasizes the consistent nature of her childbearing, contrasting with Rachel's continued barrenness, highlighting God's direct intervention.
• "Now will I praise the LORD": This is the heart of the verse. "Now" (hapām) sets this declaration apart. It signifies a profound shift from a conditional relationship with God (praising for what she wants – Jacob's love) to unconditional praise for who He is and His providence, despite her continued unloved status by Jacob. This suggests spiritual maturity.
• "therefore she called his name Judah": The naming act directly stems from Leah's spiritual realization. Judah is not named out of a personal desire from Jacob or herself, but purely as an act of adoration towards God. This divinely-inspired naming of the son through whom the Messiah would come is deeply significant.
• "and left bearing": This clause serves as an abrupt, concluding statement for this period of Leah's fertility. The pause in her childbearing underlines the distinct nature of Judah's birth and the spiritual significance attached to it. It implies divine timing and purpose, creating a narrative marker for this specific period of her life and the development of her character.

Genesis 29 35 Bonus section

The etymological connection between yadah (praise/confess) and Yehudah (Judah) is profound. Leah’s declaration is not merely "I will praise," but also an implicit confession of God’s sovereignty and righteousness. This aligns with the broader biblical understanding that true praise often accompanies humility and acknowledgment of God's character and work, even amidst difficult circumstances. The Messianic lineage coming through Judah, born of praise, implies that all creation will ultimately "praise" God through the Person and work of the Messiah. The tribe of Judah becomes the royal tribe, ultimately producing the King of Glory, reinforcing the idea that ultimate praise belongs to Him.

Genesis 29 35 Commentary

Genesis 29:35 is a pivotal moment in Leah's spiritual journey and in the redemptive narrative. After three sons whose names (Reuben, Simeon, Levi) reflect her ongoing, yet unfulfilled, desire for her husband's love, Judah's name signals a fundamental shift. "Now will I praise the LORD" (יָדָה, yadah) means more than mere acknowledgement; it expresses profound, unadulterated thanksgiving. It represents a transition from a praise dependent on circumstances (receiving a child as a means to gain Jacob's affection) to an unconditional, God-centered praise for Yahweh's inherent goodness, regardless of her personal relational pain.

This verse therefore illustrates genuine spiritual growth: moving beyond self-focused petition to God-centered adoration. It's a testament to the fact that God hears the cries of the afflicted and can transform suffering into occasions for worship. The subsequent halt in Leah's childbearing immediately after Judah's birth further emphasizes the distinct nature and significance of this fourth son. Judah, meaning "praise," foreshadows the tribe through which the lineage of kings (David) and ultimately the Messiah (Jesus, the Lion of Judah) would come, demonstrating God's sovereign plan working through the seemingly ordinary lives and spiritual development of His people. Judah, born of praise, embodies the future King of kings, who is the object of all praise.