Bible Strands
Genesis 29:34
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Leah speaks immediately after delivering her third son, declaring her hope that Jacob will now attach himself to her because she has borne three sons. The words — The text highlights עַתָּה (‘a.Tah, “now”) and יִלָּוֶה (yi.la.Veh, “he will join himself”), marking her expectation that this birth will finally secure her husband’s affection. The thread — The name Levi connects to later gatherings of Levites in Exodus 32:26 and to the violent actions of Simeon and Levi in Genesis 34:25 and 49:5. Why it lands — The verse records Leah’s stated motivation for naming her son, showing how personal hope and familial dynamics shape biblical nomenclature before later theological developments unfold.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Exodus 32:26 So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.
- Genesis 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence.
- Genesis 34:25 Three days later, while they were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons (Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi) took their swords, went into the unsuspecting city, and slaughtered every male.
- Genesis 35:23 The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
- Genesis 46:11 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- Exodus 2:1 Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman,
- Numbers 18:2 But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony.
- Deuteronomy 33:8 Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.