וַתַּ֣הַר עוֹד֮ וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּן֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר עַתָּ֤ה הַפַּ֙עַם֙ יִלָּוֶ֤ה אִישִׁי֙ אֵלַ֔י כִּֽי־יָלַ֥דְתִּי ל֖וֹ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה בָנִ֑ים עַל־כֵּ֥ן קָרָֽא־שְׁמ֖וֹ לֵוִֽי׃
Y concibió otra vez, y parió un hijo, y dijo: Ahora esta vez se unirá mi marido conmigo, porque le he parido tres hijos: por tanto, llamó su nombre Leví.
Midrash Tanchuma Buber
R. Jose b. R. Hanina said: There are people [whose names are handsome and whose deeds are ugly;] <There are> those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are handsome; there are those whose names are handsome and whose deeds are handsome; there are those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are ugly.4Below, Numb. 4:6; Tanh., Numb. 4:6; Gen. R. 71:3; Numb. R. 16:10. There are those whose names are handsome and whose deeds are ugly: Such is Absalom (whose name means "father of peace"), of whom it is stated (in II Sam. 16:22): AND ABSALOM WENT UNTO HIS FATHER'S CONCUBINES. Those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are handsome: These are the ones who went up <from> exile, of whom it is stated (in Ezra 2:53 = Neh. 7:55): THE CHILDREN OF {BARKOM} [BARKOS],5Perhaps the midrash understands the name as designating Bacchus, the Roman god of drinking, or perhaps the name is understood to mean “son of Kos,” Kos being a pagan god. THE CHILDREN OF SISERA (cf. Jud. 4–5), THE CHILDREN OF TEMAH.6Understood as coming from the verb MHH, which means “destroy.” Those whose names are ugly and whose deeds are ugly: These are the spies. What is written (in Numb. 13:13)? FROM THE TRIBE OF ASHER, SETHUR (a name which means "disheveled") BEN MICHAEL. Those whose names are handsome and whose deeds are handsome: These are the tribes, of which it is stated (in Exod. 1:1–2): NOW THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL…: REUBEN, SIMEON, LEVI, AND JUDAH.7For an explanation of how these names are handsome, see Gen. R. 71:3, according to which Reuben means “See, a son” outstanding among all sons; and Simeon means “He heeds” the voice of his father in heaven. But cf. Gen. 29:32–33, for somewhat different etymologies. On the etymologies of Levi and Judah, see Gen. 29:34–35.
Shemot Rabbah
“These are the names of the children of Israel,” they are all mentioned here in the sense of the redemption of Israel.
Reuben, as it is stated: “I have seen the affliction of his people” (Exodus 3:7).10When Leah named her son Reuben, she said: “because the Lord has seen my affliction” (Genesis 29:32). The midrash is stating that his name also refers to the redemption of the children of Israel, as demonstrated by this verse (Midrash HaMevoar). This is true in a similar vain for all of the names listed below.
Simeon, in the sense of: “God heard their groan” (Exodus 2:24).11Leah named Simeon saying: “because the Lord has heard that I am hated” (Genesis 29:33).
Levi, in the sense that the Holy One blessed be He joined [them] in their troubles “from inside the bush” (Exodus 3:2),12Leah named Levi saying: “now this time my husband will be joined to me” (Genesis 29:34). The fact that God spoke to Moses from inside a thorn bush indicated that He was with them in their pain. to fulfill what is stated: “I am with him in times of trouble” (Psalms 91:15).
Judah, because they thanked the Holy One blessed be He.13When Leah named Judah, she said “this time I will thank the Lord” (Genesis 29:35).
Issachar, because the Holy One blessed be He paid their wages [sakhar] for their labor; the loot of Egypt and the loot at the sea, to fulfill what is written: “Afterward they will emerge with great wealth” (Genesis 15:14).
Zebulun, because the Holy One blessed be He rested His Divine Presence in their midst, as it is stated: “They shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). Zebulun is nothing other than the Temple, as it is stated: “I have built You an abode [beit zevul], a place for Your dwelling forever” (I Kings 8:13).
Benjamin, in the sense of: “Your right hand, Lord, is glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6).
Dan, in the sense of: “And also that nation that they shall serve, I will judge [dan]” (Genesis 15:14).
Naftali after the Torah and mitzvot that the Holy One blessed be He had given them, regarding which it is written: “And sweeter than honey and the juices [nofet] of ripe fruit” (Psalms 19:11).
Gad, after the manna that the Holy One blessed be He fed them, which was “like the coriander [gad] seed” (Exodus 16:31).
Asher, because everyone who heard of their redemption and prominence would praise them, as it is written: “All the nations will praise you [ve’ishru], as you will be a desired land, said the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:12).
Joseph, because the Holy One blessed be He is destined to additionally [lehosif] redeem Israel from the evil empire,14Rome just as He redeemed them from Egypt, as it is written: “It shall be on that day that the Lord will once again [yosif] set His hand a second time [to acquire the remnant of His people…as there was for Israel on the day of its ascent from the land of Egypt]” (Isaiah 11:11, 16), and the entire matter [written there].
Reuben, as it is stated: “I have seen the affliction of his people” (Exodus 3:7).10When Leah named her son Reuben, she said: “because the Lord has seen my affliction” (Genesis 29:32). The midrash is stating that his name also refers to the redemption of the children of Israel, as demonstrated by this verse (Midrash HaMevoar). This is true in a similar vain for all of the names listed below.
Simeon, in the sense of: “God heard their groan” (Exodus 2:24).11Leah named Simeon saying: “because the Lord has heard that I am hated” (Genesis 29:33).
Levi, in the sense that the Holy One blessed be He joined [them] in their troubles “from inside the bush” (Exodus 3:2),12Leah named Levi saying: “now this time my husband will be joined to me” (Genesis 29:34). The fact that God spoke to Moses from inside a thorn bush indicated that He was with them in their pain. to fulfill what is stated: “I am with him in times of trouble” (Psalms 91:15).
Judah, because they thanked the Holy One blessed be He.13When Leah named Judah, she said “this time I will thank the Lord” (Genesis 29:35).
Issachar, because the Holy One blessed be He paid their wages [sakhar] for their labor; the loot of Egypt and the loot at the sea, to fulfill what is written: “Afterward they will emerge with great wealth” (Genesis 15:14).
Zebulun, because the Holy One blessed be He rested His Divine Presence in their midst, as it is stated: “They shall make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). Zebulun is nothing other than the Temple, as it is stated: “I have built You an abode [beit zevul], a place for Your dwelling forever” (I Kings 8:13).
Benjamin, in the sense of: “Your right hand, Lord, is glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6).
Dan, in the sense of: “And also that nation that they shall serve, I will judge [dan]” (Genesis 15:14).
Naftali after the Torah and mitzvot that the Holy One blessed be He had given them, regarding which it is written: “And sweeter than honey and the juices [nofet] of ripe fruit” (Psalms 19:11).
Gad, after the manna that the Holy One blessed be He fed them, which was “like the coriander [gad] seed” (Exodus 16:31).
Asher, because everyone who heard of their redemption and prominence would praise them, as it is written: “All the nations will praise you [ve’ishru], as you will be a desired land, said the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:12).
Joseph, because the Holy One blessed be He is destined to additionally [lehosif] redeem Israel from the evil empire,14Rome just as He redeemed them from Egypt, as it is written: “It shall be on that day that the Lord will once again [yosif] set His hand a second time [to acquire the remnant of His people…as there was for Israel on the day of its ascent from the land of Egypt]” (Isaiah 11:11, 16), and the entire matter [written there].
Bereshit Rabbah
“She conceived again, and bore a son, and said: Because the Lord heard that I am hated, He gave me this as well. She called his name Simeon” (Genesis 29:33).
“She conceived again, and bore a son, and said: Because the Lord heard [shama] that I am hated, He gave me this as well. She called his name Simeon [Shimon]” – this one is destined to produce an enemy.11Zimri ben Salu (see Numbers 25:14). Who will heal his wound? It is Pinḥas, who is destined to be produced from Levi.
“She conceived again, and bore a son, and said: Now, this time, my husband will accompany [yillaveh] me, as I have borne him three sons; therefore, he called his name Levi” (Genesis 29:34).
“She conceived again, and bore a son…therefore, he called his name Levi” – Rabbi Yudan said: This Levi is destined to accompany the children to their Father in Heaven.
“Therefore [al ken], he called his name” – everywhere that al ken is stated, it is a large population.
“She conceived again, and bore a son, she said: This time I will thank the Lord. Therefore, she called his name Judah, and she ceased bearing” (Genesis 29:35).
“She conceived again, and bore a son; she said: This time I will thank [odeh] the Lord. [Therefore, she called his name Judah [Yehuda]]” – Rabbi Berekhya in the name of Rabbi Levi: This is analogous to a priest who descended to the threshing floor. One gave him a kor12A kor is 30 seim. The equivalent of about 250 liters. of tithe, but he showed him no gratitude. And one gave him a handful of non-sacred produce, and he showed him gratitude. He [the first man] said to him: ‘My lord priest, I gave you a kor, and that one gave you only a handful, and you show gratitude to him?’ He said to him: ‘You gave me from my portion, but that one gave me from his own; that is why I showed him gratitude.’ So, because the matriarchs believed that this one would have three, and that one would have three, when Leah bore a fourth son, she said: “This time I will thank the Lord.”
“She conceived again, and bore a son, and said: Because the Lord heard [shama] that I am hated, He gave me this as well. She called his name Simeon [Shimon]” – this one is destined to produce an enemy.11Zimri ben Salu (see Numbers 25:14). Who will heal his wound? It is Pinḥas, who is destined to be produced from Levi.
“She conceived again, and bore a son, and said: Now, this time, my husband will accompany [yillaveh] me, as I have borne him three sons; therefore, he called his name Levi” (Genesis 29:34).
“She conceived again, and bore a son…therefore, he called his name Levi” – Rabbi Yudan said: This Levi is destined to accompany the children to their Father in Heaven.
“Therefore [al ken], he called his name” – everywhere that al ken is stated, it is a large population.
“She conceived again, and bore a son, she said: This time I will thank the Lord. Therefore, she called his name Judah, and she ceased bearing” (Genesis 29:35).
“She conceived again, and bore a son; she said: This time I will thank [odeh] the Lord. [Therefore, she called his name Judah [Yehuda]]” – Rabbi Berekhya in the name of Rabbi Levi: This is analogous to a priest who descended to the threshing floor. One gave him a kor12A kor is 30 seim. The equivalent of about 250 liters. of tithe, but he showed him no gratitude. And one gave him a handful of non-sacred produce, and he showed him gratitude. He [the first man] said to him: ‘My lord priest, I gave you a kor, and that one gave you only a handful, and you show gratitude to him?’ He said to him: ‘You gave me from my portion, but that one gave me from his own; that is why I showed him gratitude.’ So, because the matriarchs believed that this one would have three, and that one would have three, when Leah bore a fourth son, she said: “This time I will thank the Lord.”