Génesis 29

1 Y SIGUIO Jacob su camino, y fué á la tierra de los orientales.

2 Y miró, y vió un pozo en el campo: y he aquí tres rebaños de ovejas que yacían cerca de él; porque de aquel pozo abrevaban los ganados: y había una gran piedra sobre la boca del pozo.

3 Y juntábanse allí todos los rebaños; y revolvían la piedra de sobre la boca del pozo, y abrevaban las ovejas; y volvían la piedra sobre la boca del pozo á su lugar.

4 Y díjoles Jacob: Hermanos míos, ¿de dónde sois? Y ellos respondieron: De Harán somos.

5 Y él les dijo: ¿Conocéis á Labán, hijo de Nachôr? Y ellos dijeron: Sí, le conocemos.

6 Y él les dijo: ¿Tiene paz? Y ellos dijeron: Paz; y he aquí Rachêl su hija viene con el ganado.

7 Y él dijo: He aquí el día es aún grande; no es tiempo todavía de recoger el ganado; abrevad las ovejas, é id á apacentarlas.

8 Y ellos respondieron: No podemos, hasta que se junten todos los ganados, y remuevan la piedra de sobre la boca del pozo, para que abrevemos las ovejas.

9 Estando aún él hablando con ellos Rachêl vino con el ganado de su padre, porque ella era la pastora.

10 Y sucedió que, como Jacob vió á Rachêl, hija de Labán hermano de su madre, y á las ovejas de Labán, el hermano de su madre, llegóse Jacob, y removió la piedra de sobre la boca del pozo, y abrevó el ganado de Labán hermano de su madre.

11 Y Jacob besó á Rachêl, y alzó su voz, y lloró.

12 Y Jacob dijo á Rachêl como él era hermano de su padre, y como era hijo de Rebeca: y ella corrió, y dió las nuevas á su padre.

13 Y así que oyó Labán las nuevas de Jacob, hijo de su hermana, corrió á recibirlo, y abrazólo, y besólo, y trájole á su casa: y él contó á Labán todas estas cosas.

14 Y Labán le dijo: Ciertamente hueso mío y carne mía eres. Y estuvo con él el tiempo de un mes.

15 Entonces dijo Labán á Jacob: ¿Por ser tú mi hermano, me has de servir de balde? declárame qué será tu salario.

16 Y Labán tenía dos hijas: el nombre de la mayor era Lea, y el nombre de la menor, Rachêl.

17 Y los ojos de Lea eran tiernos, pero Rachêl era de lindo semblante y de hermoso parecer.

18 Y Jacob amó á Rachêl, y dijo: Yo te serviré siete años por Rachêl tu hija menor.

19 Y Labán respondió: Mejor es que te la dé á ti, que no que la dé á otro hombre: estáte conmigo.

20 Así sirvió Jacob por Rachêl siete años: y pareciéronle como pocos días, porque la amaba.

21 Y dijo Jacob á Labán: Dame mi mujer, porque mi tiempo es cumplido para que cohabite con ella.

22 Entonces Labán juntó á todos los varones de aquel lugar, é hizo banquete.

23 Y sucedió que á la noche tomó á Lea su hija, y se la trajo: y él entró á ella.

24 Y dió Labán su sierva Zilpa á su hija Lea por criada.

25 Y venida la mañana, he aquí que era Lea: y él dijo á Labán: ¿Qué es esto que me has hecho? ¿no te he servido por Rachêl? ¿por qué, pues, me has engañado?

26 Y Labán respondió: No se hace así en nuestro lugar, que se dé la menor antes de la mayor.

27 Cumple la semana de ésta, y se te dará también la otra, por el servicio que hicieres conmigo otros siete años.

28 E hizo Jacob así, y cumplió la semana de aquélla: y él le dió á Rachêl su hija por mujer.

29 Y dió Labán á Rachêl su hija por criada á su sierva Bilha.

30 Y entró también á Rachêl: y amóla también más que á Lea: y sirvió con él aún otros siete años.

31 Y vió Jehová que Lea era aborrecida, y abrió su matriz; pero Rachêl era estéril.

32 Y concibió Lea, y parió un hijo, y llamó su nombre Rubén, porque dijo: Ya que ha mirado Jehová mi aflicción; ahora por tanto me amará mi marido.

33 Y concibió otra vez, y parió un hijo, y dijo: Por cuanto oyó Jehová que yo era aborrecida, me ha dado también éste. Y llamó su nombre Simeón.

34 Y concibió otra vez, y parió un hijo, y dijo: Ahora esta vez se unirá mi marido conmigo, porque le he parido tres hijos: por tanto, llamó su nombre Leví.

35 Y concibió ota vez, y parió un hijo, y dijo: Esta vez alabaré á Jehová: por esto llamó su nombre Judá: y dejó de parir.

Génesis 29 Commentary

Chapter 29

Jacob comes to the well of Haran. (1-8) His interview with Rachel, Laban entertains him. (9-14) Jacob's covenant for Rachel, Laban's deceit. (15-30) Leah's sons. (31-35)

Verses 1-8 Jacob proceeded cheerfully in his journey, after the sweet communion he had with God at Beth-el. Providence brought him to the field where his uncle's flocks were to be watered. What is said of the care of the shepherds for their sheep, may remind us of the tender concern which our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, has for his flock the church; for he is the good Shepherd, that knows his sheep, and is known of them. The stone at the well's mouth was to secure it; water was scarce, it was not there for every one's use: but separate interests should not take us from helping one another. When all the shepherds came together with their flocks, then, like loving neighbours, they watered their flocks together. The law of kindness in the tongue has a commanding power, ( Proverbs 31:26 ) . Jacob was civil to these strangers, and he found them civil to him.

Verses 9-14 See Rachel's humility and industry. Nobody needs to be ashamed of honest, useful labour, nor ought it to hinder any one's preferment. When Jacob understood that this was his kinswoman, he was very ready to serve her. Laban, though not the best humoured, bade him welcome, and was satisfied with the account Jacob gave of himself. While we avoid being foolishly ready to believe every thing which is told us, we must take heed of being uncharitably suspicious.

Verses 15-30 During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years' service Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, ( Hebrews 6:10 ) . If we know how to value the happiness of heaven, the sufferings of this present time will be as nothing to us. An age of work will be but as a few days to those that love God, and long for Christ's appearing. Jacob, who had imposed upon his father, is imposed upon by Laban, his father-in-law, by a like deception. Herein, how unrighteous soever Laban was, the Lord was righteous: see ( Judges 1:7 ) . Even the righteous, if they take a false step, are sometimes thus recompensed in the earth. And many who are not, like Jacob, in their marriage, disappointed in person, soon find themselves, as much to their grief, disappointed in the character. The choice of that relation ought to be made with good advice and thought on both sides. There is reason to believe that Laban's excuse was not true. His way of settling the matter made bad worse. Jacob was drawn into the disquiet of multiplying wives. He could not refuse Rachel, for he had espoused her; still less could he refuse Leah. As yet there was no express command against marrying more than one wife. It was in the patriarchs a sin of ignorance; but it will not justify the like practice now, when God's will is plainly made known by the Divine law, ( Leviticus 18:18 ) , and more fully since, by our Saviour, that one man and woman ( 1 Corinthians. 7:2 )

Verses 31-35 The names Leah gave her children, expressed her respect and regard, both to God and to her husband. Reuben, or See a son, with this thought, Now will my husband love me; Levi, or joined, expecting, Now will my husband be joined unto me. Mutual affection is both the duty and comfort of the married relation; and yoke-fellows should study to recommend themselves to each ( 1 Corinthians. 7:33 1 Corinthians. 7:34 ) providence of God in hearing her. Whatever supports and comforts us under afflictions, or tends to our deliverance from them, God must be owned in it. Her fourth son she called Judah, or praise, saying, Now will I praise the Lord. This was he, of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing, ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Fresh favours should quicken us to praise God for former favours; Now will I praise the Lord more and better than I have done. All our praises must centre in Christ, both as the matter of them, and as the Mediator of them. He descended after the flesh from him whose name was "Praise," and He is our praise. Is Christ formed in my heart? Now will I praise the Lord.

Chapter Summary

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.