Genesis 29:33-34

29:33 She became pregnant again and had another son. She said, “Because the Lord heard that I was unloved, ¹  he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon. ² 

29:34 She became pregnant again and had another son. She said, “Now this time my husband will show me affection, ³  because I have given birth to three sons for him.” That is why he was named Levi. ⁴ 

[29:33]  ¹ tn Heb “hated.” See the note on the word “unloved” in v. 31.

[29:33]  ² sn The name Simeon (שִׁמְעוֹן, shim’on) is derived from the verbal root שָׁמַע (shama’) and means “hearing.” The name is appropriate since it is reminder that the Lord “heard” about Leah’s unloved condition and responded with pity.

[29:34]  ³ tn Heb “will be joined to me.”

[29:34]  ⁴ sn The name Levi (לֵוִי, levi), the precise meaning of which is debated, was appropriate because it sounds like the verb לָוָה (lavah, “to join”), used in the statement recorded earlier in the verse.