Genesis 29

Genesis 29 read aloud, in a fresh direct translation from the Hebrew — plain modern English, nothing added. Translator's notes: • Genesis 29:17 — רַכּוֹת (rakot): chose "tender". Alternatives: "soft", "delicate", "weak", "lovely". Why: Leah's eyes are described with a word that can praise them as delicate or fault them as weak; the Hebrew does not decide which, and no contrast with Rachel's beauty is spelled out. • Genesis 29:27 — שְׁבֻעַ זֹאת (shevua zot): chose "the week of this one". Alternatives: "this one's bridal week", "her week". Why: shevua is literally a period of seven — here the seven days of Leah's wedding feast — and the phrase names that week without explaining the custom behind it. • Genesis 29:31 — שְׂנוּאָה (senuah): chose "unloved". Alternatives: "hated". Why: the word's plain sense is hated, but beside verse 30 (he loved Rachel more) it may name the lesser love rather than active hatred; the softer reading is followed without hiding the stronger one.