Genesis 29:14-30

Laban said to him, "Yes, you are my flesh and blood."

Jacob marries Leah and Rachel

14 After Jacob had stayed with Laban for a month,

15 Laban said to Jacob, "You shouldn't have to work for free just because you are my relative. Tell me what you would like to be paid."

16 Now Laban had two daughters: the older was named Leah and the younger Rachel.

17 Leah had delicate eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and was good-looking.

18 Jacob loved Rachel and said, "I will work for you for seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."

19 Laban said, "I'd rather give her to you than to another man. Stay with me."

20 Jacob worked for Rachel for seven years, but it seemed like a few days because he loved her.

21 Jacob said to Laban, "The time has come. Give me my wife so that I may sleep with her."

22 So Laban invited all the people of that place and prepared a banquet.

23 However, in the evening, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he slept with her.

24 Laban had given his servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her servant.

25 In the morning, there she was—Leah! Jacob said to Laban, "What have you done to me? Didn't I work for you to have Rachel? Why did you betray me?"

26 Laban said, "Where we live, we don't give the younger woman before the oldest.

27 Complete the celebratory week with this woman. Then I will give you this other woman too for your work, if you work for me seven more years."

28 So that is what Jacob did. He completed the celebratory week with this woman, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.

29 Laban had given his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her servant.

30 Jacob slept with Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban seven more years.

Genesis 29:14-30 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 29

This chapter informs us of Jacob's coming to a well near Haran, where meeting with some shepherds he inquires after Laban, Ge 29:1-8; and there also with Rachel his daughter, the shepherds made known to him, and acquainted her who he was, Ge 29:9-12; upon which she ran to her father, and told him who was at the well, who went forth and brought him to his house, and kindly entertained him, Ge 29:13,14; with whom he agreed to stay and serve seven years for Rachel his daughter, Ge 29:15-20; at the end of which Jacob demands his wife, but instead of Rachel, Leah was brought to him as his wife, Ge 29:21-25; which being discovered, and complained of, it was proposed he should have Rachel also, provided he would serve yet seven years more, to which he agreed, Ge 29:26-30; and the chapter is concluded with an account of four sons being born to Jacob of Leah, Ge 29:31-35.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb uncertain; perhaps Leah had poor eyesight
• [b]. LXX, Sam, Syr, Tg, Vulg; MT we will give