Genesis 29:12-22

12 Jacob told Rachel that he was a 1relative of her father and that he was Rebekah's son, and 2she ran and told her father.
13 So when 3Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, and 4embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Then he related to Laban all these things.
14 Laban said to him, "Surely you are 5my bone and my flesh." And he stayed with him a month.
15 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall 6your wages be?"
16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 And Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was 7beautiful of form and face.
18 Now Jacob 8loved Rachel, so he said, "9I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."
19 Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me."
20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed * to him but a few days 10because of his love for her.

Laban's Treachery

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my time is completed, that I may 11go in to her."
22 Laban gathered all the men of the place and made a feast.

Genesis 29:12-22 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.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Genesis 28:5
  • 2. Genesis 24:28
  • 3. Genesis 24:29-31
  • 4. Genesis 33:4
  • 5. Genesis 2:23; Judges 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1; 2 Samuel 19:12, 13
  • 6. Genesis 31:41
  • 7. Genesis 12:11, 14; Genesis 26:7
  • 8. Genesis 24:67
  • 9. Hosea 12:12
  • 10. Song of Songs 8:7
  • 11. Judges 15:1

Footnotes 4

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