Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 29

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Makbilot Bamikra points out that the notion of a preferred (אהובה, lit. beloved) and less preferred (שנואה, lit. hated) wife appears, in a legal context, in Devarim 21:15-17. The parallel raises the question of how to understand Bereshit 29:30-31's description of Rachel as "beloved" and Leah as "hated". Was Leah actually hated or more simply less favored than Rachel?

See Yaakov's Wives for discussion of how various commentators view Yaakov's relationship with Leah, and whether her deception led to such distrust that Yaakov actively disliked her.
The juxtaposition of a beloved wife who has no children and a less beloved wife who does have children has a literary parallel in the story of Channah and Peninah in Shemuel I 1. See Rachel and Channah for an exploration of the parallels and contrasts between the stories.

Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 29/0