參考版本 AFV  A  Faithful Version 的希臘文 2009版本              

耶和華的事，不謀利沒有版權

31. And when the LORD saw that Leah was loved less, even He opened her womb. But Rachel was barren.

32. And Leah conceived and bore a son. And she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Surely the LORD has looked upon my afflictions. Now therefore my husband will love me.”

33. And she conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I was loved less, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.

34. And she conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore, his name was called Levi.

35. And she conceived again and bore a son, and she said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore, she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

 (A Faithful Version)

31. 耶和華發覺利亞得到的愛較少，利亞可以懷孕。拉結卻未能生育。

32. 利亞懷孕生子，給這兒子起名呂便，感恩地說：是耶和華明白我的苦難，丈夫必愛我更多。

33. 不久，又懷再次懷孕生另一子，就更感恩地說：耶和華體會我仍失寵，再賜我一子，就給他名西緬。

34. 再過不久，又再懷孕生第三個兒子，滿懷安慰地說：我丈夫終究喜歡我，就給他起名叫利未。

35. 誰知又再次懷孕，生第四子，喜出望外地說：衷心感謝讚美耶和華，給他起名叫猶大，從此就停了生育。

耶和華對利亞受到不公平對待時，祂介入的方式不是用超自然的方式，而是當事人實際的處境中介入。當事人受到的福氣，連自己可沒想過這般大。在她的處境，是在能生育而且生眾多的兒子，卻沒有想這些兒子在日後，對雅各這一族發展的祝福，是從立約的應許而來，不是從他的愛是從他忍耐的相信。這種祝福是耶和華順著不同性格的人，施與不同的福氣，是順自然而來的神蹟：既即時又永恆。

利亞即時的祝福，是跟四個兒子從當中累積而來，從不喜歡到寵愛有加。她兒子的光景如下：

Reuben :  (Hebrew: Reuven) is the eldest son of the patriarch  Jacob  and his first wife,  Leah, making him the founder of the  Tribe of Reuben  and the first of the  Twelve Tribes of Israel. 

• Meaning: The name translates to “Behold, a son”  or   “See, a son,”  reflecting Leah’s hope that Jacob’s love for her would be restored after she was given to him in place of her sister Rachel. 
• Biblical Narrative: Reuben lost his  birth right  due to an incident involving his father’s concubine,  Bilhah; while interpretations vary between literal transgression and defending his mother’s honor, the Torah states his rights were transferred to  Joseph. 
• Tribe and Legacy: The Tribe of Reuben settled   east of the Jordan River and was one of the northern tribes that disappeared after the Assyrian conquest in c.  723 BC.
• Cultural Significance: In Jewish tradition, Reuben is recognized as a penitent  who regretted his actions; he is credited with trying to save his brother  Joseph from being killed by his other brothers

創世記49章有他們的結局的記述。

Simeon : In Jewish tradition,  Simeon  refers primarily to two distinct figures:  the second son of Jacob and the progenitor of the Tribe of Simeon, and  Simeon the Just, a revered High Priest from the Second Temple period. 

Simeon, Son of Jacob

Simeon (Hebrew: Shimon) was the second son of Jacob and Leah. His name is derived from the Hebrew root  shama  (“to hear”), signifying that  God heard Leah’s suffering  when she was unloved by Jacob (Genesis 29:33). 

• Tribe of Simeon: Simeon founded one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Due to his violent actions in revenge for his sister Dinah’s defilement, Jacob prophesied that his tribe would be scattered. Consequently, the Tribe of Simeon received no distinct territory in the Promised Land; instead, their lands were located within the territory of Judah  (Joshua 19:1-9). 
• Assimilation: Over time, the Simeonites were largely absorbed by the Tribe of Judah. Unlike the Northern Kingdom tribes who became the “Ten Lost Tribes,” the Simeonites remained with Judah during the Babylonian exile, preserving their identity within the broader Jewish people. 
• Rabbinic Views: Jewish literature depicts Simeon as a figure of extraordinary strength  and a fierce antagonist to his brother Joseph, who initially cast him into a pit.   However, later traditions note his repentance and that his tribe survived by living among Judah. 

Simeon the Just

Simeon the Just   (Hebrew: Shimon HaTzaddik) was a prominent Jewish High Priest during the Second Temple period (c.  3rd century BCE), serving as a member of the Great Assembly. 

• Legacy: He is highly revered in the Mishnah and Talmud for his piety and benevolence.   Historical sources like the Book of Sirach and Josephus credit him with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and repairing the Temple.
• Distinction: He is distinct from the New Testament figure Simeon and from later High Priests who also bore the name Simon. He is often cited as the last link in the chain of the Great Assembly, influencing later Jewish leadership and spiritual development. 

Levi : In Jewish tradition, a  Levi  (or Levite) is  a male who claims patrilineal descent from the Tribe of Levi, the third son of Jacob and Leah.   This group holds a distinct status within Judaism, positioned between the Kohanim   (priests, descendants of Aaron) and the general Jewish population known as  Yisrael. 

Role and Status

• Hierarchical Position:  Kohanim are called to the Torah first, followed immediately by Levites, who are called second. 
• Temple Duties:  Historically, Levites assisted the Kohanim by washing their hands before the Priestly Blessing, singing, playing music, and serving as guards in the Temple. 
• Modern Observance:  In Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, Levites retain these ceremonial honors and specific exemptions, such as the exemption from the Pidyon HaBen   (redemption of the firstborn) for their sons. Reform and Reconstructionist movements generally do not observe these tribal distinctions. 

Lineage and Identity

• Patrilineal Descent:  Levite status is traditionally determined through the father’s line. Surnames such as  Levi, Levy,  Levin, or  HaLevi  often indicate this heritage, though surnames alone are not definitive proof. 
• Population: Approximately   4%   of the Jewish population are Levites, with significant numbers in both Ashkenazi and Sephardic/Mizrahi communities.   Genetic studies suggest diverse origins, including a notable founder effect among Ashkenazi Levites linked to Middle Eastern and potentially some European lineages.
• Future Role:  Orthodox Judaism anticipates the eventual rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, at which point Levites would resume their traditional roles in Temple service and education.

Judah : The term  Jew is derived from  Judah  (Hebrew: Yehuda), the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, who is the eponymous ancestor of the  Tribe of Judah. 

Originally, the term Yehudi  referred specifically to members of this tribe or inhabitants of the  Kingdom of Judah, which formed after the United Monarchy split in c.  930 BCE and included the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and the Levites. After the Assyrian conquest of the northern Kingdom of Israel and the subsequent Babylonian exile, the northern tribes were dispersed and assimilated, leaving the people of the southern Kingdom of Judah as the primary survivors of ancient Israelite identity. Consequently, the name of Judah’s tribe became the collective designation for the entire Jewish people and their religion, Judaism. 

從以上的說明當中理解猶太人是如何識別民族是否純正的一個依據，這種認宗的辨識方法，一直留存至今，以色列復國後一種對國民認證的方法。

利亞的福氣不少，也被許多學者忽略，那又何妨。福氣不會因為被人少關注就消失，這是耶和華公義的地方，不關乎對社會影響多大，在乎於她是乎公平地被對待。

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