Genesis 29:14-30

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

14 Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

16 Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.

17 Leah had weak eyes, ^[a] but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

18 Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”

19 Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.”

20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

21 Finally Jacob said to Laban, “Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her.”

22 So Laban invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast.

23 But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her.

24 And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.

25 When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?”

26 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.

27 Finish this week’s celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work.”

28 And Jacob did just that. He finished the week’s celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.

29 Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.

30 Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.

Genesis 29:14-30 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

• [a] Or had delicate eyes