Genesis 29:15-30

Jacob’s Marriages

15 Then Laban said to Jacob, "[Just] because you [are] my brother should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wage [should be]."
16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older [was] Leah, and the name of the younger [was] Rachel.
17 Now the eyes of Leah [were] dull, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.
18 And Jacob loved Rachel and said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter."
19 Then Laban said, "Better [that] I give her to you than I give her to another man. Stay with me."
20 And Jacob worked for Rachel seven years, but they were as a few days in his eyes because he loved her.
21 And Jacob said to Laban, "Give [me] my wife, that I may go in to her, for {my time} is completed."
22 So Laban gathered all the men of the place and prepared a feast.
23 And it happened [that] in the evening he took Leah his daughter and brought her to him, and he went in to her.
24 And Laban gave Zilpah his female servant to her, to Leah his daughter [as] a female servant.
25 And it happened [that] in the morning, behold, it [was] Leah! And he said to Laban, "What [is] this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Now why did you deceive me?"
26 Then Laban said, "{It is not the custom} in our country to give the younger before the firstborn.
27 Complete the week of this one, then I will also give you the other, {on the condition that you will work for me} another seven years."
28 And Jacob did so. So he completed the week of this [one], then he gave Rachel his daughter to him as a wife.
29 And Laban gave Bilhah his female servant to Rachel his daughter as a female servant.
30 Then he also went in to Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with him yet another seven years.

Genesis 29:15-30 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 5

  • [a]. Literally "my days"
  • [b]. Literally "it is not thus done"
  • [c]. Leah; the wedding feast would last one week
  • [d]. Literally "with respect to the work that you will work with me yet"
  • [e]. That is, Leah
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.