Genesis 29:33 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Leah bears a second son, Simeon, acknowledging that God has heard her being hated.
The Context of Genesis 29:33
Leah bears Simeon, whose name means 'God has heard,' acknowledging her rejected status.
What Does Genesis 29:33 Mean?
Leah's second conception and birth marks a pattern: she is granted child after child. The naming formula shows her theological reflection deepening. With Reuben, she focused on God 'looking upon' her; with Simeon, she emphasizes that God has 'heard' her. The sense is auditory—God has listened to her cry. The name Simeon (Heb. 'shama,' to hear) encodes this understanding.
Her statement 'I was hated' is now past tense in meaning—she was hated, but God heard. This verb choice suggests she is beginning to process her pain theologically, finding meaning in her suffering through God's responsiveness. Yet her continued bearing of children is still framed as response to a situation she cannot change: Jacob's preference for Rachel. Each child is a response to affliction, not joy in motherhood alone.
Genesis 29:33 in the Original Language
Simeon (שִׁמְעוֹן), 'God hears' — from shamea, 'to hear'; the name reflects Leah's faith that God hears her cry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 29:33
What does Genesis 29:33 mean?
Leah bears a second son, Simeon, acknowledging that God has heard her being hated.
What is the context of Genesis 29:33?
Leah bears Simeon, whose name means 'God has heard,' acknowledging her rejected status.