Genesis 29:26-35

26 Laban said, "It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27 ¹Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years."

28 Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.

29 (Laban gave ²his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.)

30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban ³for another seven years.

Jacob's Children

31 When the LORD saw that Leah was ⁴hated, ⁵he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

32 And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben,^[a] for she said, "Because the LORD ⁶has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me."

33 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also." And she called his name Simeon.^[b]

34 Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will be ⁷attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi.^[c]

35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she called his name ⁸Judah.^[d] Then she ceased bearing.

Read Chapter Compare

Images for Genesis 29:26-35

Genesis 29:26-35 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 8

1. [Judges 14:12]
2. See Genesis 30:3-7
3. ver. 20; Genesis 31:41
4. Deuteronomy 21:15
5. [Genesis 30:22]
6. Genesis 31:42; Exodus 3:7; Exodus 4:31; Deuteronomy 26:7
7. [Numbers 18:2, 4]
8. Matthew 1:2; [Genesis 49:8]

Footnotes 4

[a]. Reuben means See, a son
[b]. Simeon sounds like the Hebrew for heard
[c]. Levi sounds like the Hebrew for attached
[d]. Judah sounds like the Hebrew for praise

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.