King James Version

What Does Genesis 29:35 Mean?

Genesis 29:35 in the King James Version says “And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. Judah: that is, Praise left: Heb. stood from bearing”

Genesis 29:35 · KJV

Context

33

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. Simeon: that is, Hearing

34

And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. Levi: that is, Joined

35

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. Judah: that is, Praise left: Heb. stood from bearing

Read Genesis 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she cal... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Rachel and Leah emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַתַּ֨הַר1 of 16

“And she conceived”

H2029

to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)

ע֜וֹד2 of 16
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

מִלֶּֽדֶת׃3 of 16

“again and bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

בֵּ֗ן4 of 16

“a son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙5 of 16

“and she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַפַּ֙עַם֙6 of 16

“Now”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

אוֹדֶ֣ה7 of 16

“will I praise”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

אֶת8 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַל10 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֛ן11 of 16
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

קָֽרְאָ֥ה12 of 16

“therefore she called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמ֖וֹ13 of 16

“his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוּדָ֑ה14 of 16

“Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַֽתַּעֲמֹ֖ד15 of 16

“and left”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

מִלֶּֽדֶת׃16 of 16

“again and bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 29:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 29:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 49:8-121 Chronicles 5:2Matthew 1:2Deuteronomy 33:7Genesis 35:26Genesis 38:1-30

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 29 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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