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Genesis 29:33 - Hated? God hears, grants son.

Genesis 29:33 - בראשית 29:33

Hebrew Text

וַתַּהַר עוֹד וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתֹּאמֶר כִּי־שָׁמַע יְהוָה כִּי־שְׂנוּאָה אָנֹכִי וַיִּתֶּן־לִי גַּם־אֶת־זֶה וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ שִׁמְעוֹן׃

English Translation

And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, Because the Lord has heard that I was hated, He has therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Shim῾on.

Transliteration

Vatahar od vateled ben vatomer ki-shama Adonai ki-senuah anokhi vayiten-li gam-et-zeh vatikra shemo Shimon.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתַּ֣הַר עוֹד֮ וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּן֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר כִּֽי־שָׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ כִּֽי־שְׂנוּאָ֣ה אָנֹ֔כִי וַיִּתֶּן־לִ֖י גַּם־אֶת־זֶ֑ה וַתִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ שִׁמְעֽוֹן׃
וַתַּ֣הַר עוֹד֮ וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּן֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר כִּֽי־שָׁמַ֤ע יְהֹוָה֙ כִּֽי־שְׂנוּאָ֣ה אָנֹ֔כִי וַיִּתֶּן־לִ֖י גַּם־אֶת־זֶ֑ה וַתִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ שִׁמְעֽוֹן׃

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Parasha Commentary

Verse Analysis: Genesis 29:33

The verse describes Leah naming her second son Shim'on (שִׁמְעוֹן), deriving from the root שׁ.מ.ע ("to hear"), as she acknowledges that Hashem heard her suffering as the "hated" wife (שְׂנוּאָה). This reflects Leah's emotional state and her recognition of divine intervention in her life.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that Leah felt שְׂנוּאָה ("hated") not in the literal sense, but rather less loved than Rachel (Rashi on Genesis 29:31). The term implies a relative lack of affection compared to her sister. Hashem responded to her distress by granting her another son, demonstrating divine compassion for the marginalized.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Rabbah (Genesis 71:4) connects Shim'on's name to the future role of the tribe of Shim'on in avenging the rape of Dinah (Genesis 34), suggesting that "hearing" implies divine justice.
  • The Ohr HaChaim notes that Leah’s phrasing—"גַּם־אֶת־זֶה" ("also this one")—indicates her gratitude for each child as an individual blessing, not merely as a means to compete with Rachel.

Halachic and Ethical Dimensions

The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:3) teaches that Leah's acknowledgment of Hashem’s role in her life exemplifies hakarat hatov (gratitude), a foundational Jewish value. Her naming convention reinforces the idea that divine providence responds to human suffering.

Linguistic Nuance

The name Shim'on shares a root with תְּשׁוּעָה ("salvation"), hinting at Leah’s perception of her son as a salvational response to her plight. The Malbim emphasizes that Leah’s declaration reflects her evolving relationship with Hashem—from despair to recognition of His kindness.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about divine providence and how God responds to human suffering, illustrating that God heard Leah's plight.
📖 Sotah 12a
The naming of Shim'on is mentioned in the context of discussions about the significance of names and divine intervention in the lives of the matriarchs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the name 'Shim'on' mean in Genesis 29:33?
A: The name 'Shim'on' (שִׁמְעוֹן) comes from the Hebrew root 'שׁ.מ.ע,' meaning 'to hear.' Leah named him this because she said, 'Hashem has heard (שָׁמַע) that I was hated' (Genesis 29:33). Rashi explains that Leah felt unloved by Yaakov, but Hashem heard her pain and granted her another son.
Q: Why did Leah say she was 'hated' (שְׂנוּאָה) in this verse?
A: Leah felt that Yaakov loved Rachel more than her (as seen earlier in Genesis 29:30). The term 'שְׂנוּאָה' (hated) does not mean actual hatred, but rather that she felt secondary in Yaakov's affection (Rashi). The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 71:2) explains that Leah was deeply distressed by this imbalance, and Hashem responded to her pain by blessing her with children.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Leah naming her son Shim'on?
A: Leah teaches us the power of recognizing Hashem's kindness even in difficult situations. Despite feeling unloved, she acknowledged that Hashem 'heard' her and blessed her with a son. The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 2:3) emphasizes gratitude as a key trait, and Leah's response models this by giving thanks through her son's name.
Q: How does this verse connect to the role of the tribe of Shimon later in the Torah?
A: The tribe of Shimon (descendants of Shim'on) later faced challenges, such as their involvement in the sin of Ba'al Peor (Numbers 25) and being scattered in Eretz Yisrael (Genesis 49:7). Some commentaries (Ibn Ezra) suggest that Leah's reference to being 'hated' hinted at future struggles for this tribe, teaching that names in the Torah often reflect destiny.
Q: Why is the birth of Shim'on significant in Jewish tradition?
A: Shim'on was the second of the twelve tribes, and his birth continued the fulfillment of Hashem's promise to make Yaakov a great nation. The Talmud (Berachot 7b) notes that Leah's recognition of Hashem's involvement in her life sets an example of faith—even in hardship, we must see Divine providence. This principle remains central in Jewish thought today.