Genesis 29:11-21

11 he kissed her, and he wept with voice raised (and with his voice raised up, he wept for joy).

12 And Jacob showed to her that he was the brother of her father, and the son of Rebecca; and she hasted, and told to her father. (And Jacob told her that he was her father's kinsman, and Rebecca's son; and she hastened home, and told her father.)

13 And when he had heard, that Jacob, the son of his sister, came, he ran to meet him, and he embraced Jacob, and kissed him, and led him into his house. Forsooth when the causes of the journey were heard,

14 Laban answered, Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after that the days of a month were filled,

15 Laban said to Jacob, Whether for thou art my brother, thou shalt serve me freely? say thou what meed thou shalt take. (Laban said to Jacob, Though thou art my kinsman, shalt thou serve me for nothing? Nay! say what reward thou shalt take.)

16 Forsooth Laban had two daughters, the name of the elder was Leah, soothly the younger was called Rachel;

17 but Leah was bleary-eyed, and Rachel was of fair face, and lovely in sight. (and Leah was blurry-eyed, but Rachel had a beautiful face, and was lovely to look at.)

18 And Jacob loved Rachel, and (so he) said, I shall serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

19 Laban answered, It is better that I give her to thee than to another man; dwell thou with me.

20 Therefore Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and the days seemed few to him for the greatness of (his) love.

21 And (at last) he said to Laban, Give thou my wife to me, for the time is fulfilled that I enter [in] to her.

Genesis 29:11-21 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.