Genesis 29

CHAPTER 29

Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram (29:1–14)

1–14 After a journey of many days, Jacob arrived in Haran, located in the region of Paddan Aram (present-day Syria). Immediately he met shepherds who knew his uncle Laban, grandson of Abraham’s brother Nahor. No sooner had he met them than Rachel, Laban’s daughter, appeared. Even skeptical Jacob could not have doubted that God had led him to that place, just as He had promised (Genesis 28:15).

Jacob was overjoyed. Here was the very girl he was to take as his wife, and she was beautiful(verse 17). With almost super-human strength he rolled the heavy stone from the well—a job that ordinarily took several men to accomplish—and then he watered her father’s sheep (verse 10). And he kissed Rachel and wept for joy. It was love at first sight. Truly God was with him!

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel (29:15–30)

15–20 Jacob was obviously happy to stay with Laban, for when Laban offered him wages in return for his work, the only “wage” Jacob asked for was Laban’s younger daughter Rachel—and for that he was willing to work seven years! Since it was customary for the man to give a marriage gift to the girl’s family (Genesis 24:52–53), and since Jacob had no other means, Laban agreed to accept as a “gift” Jacob’s seven years of work.

21–25 After the seven years were completed, Jacob asked for his wife (verse 21). Perhaps he should have asked for Rachel by name, for he got Leah instead. And he didn’t realize it until the morning after the wedding night! (verse 25). The combination of darkness, wine, and Leah’s veil had kept Jacob from recognizing her. The deceiver had himself been deceived.

26–30 The text doesn’t tell us Laban’s motive for deceiving Jacob. Perhaps it was customary, as Laban said, that the older daughter must be given in marriage before the younger. Perhaps he didn’t want to forfeit his older daughter’s chance for marriage. Or perhaps Laban was scheming to get another seven years of work out of Jacob. In any event, Jacob readily accepted Laban’s condition for getting Rachel—seven more years of labor—especially since he would be given Rachel within the week! And Jacob held up his end of the bargain: he worked for Laban another seven years.

Looking back, we can again see God’s hand in ordering these events. Jacob got his just deserts for cheating Esau. God got six future tribes of Israel from Leah, and two more from her maidservant Zilpah (verse 24). Once more, God used the schemings of sinful humans to further His larger purposes.

Jacob and Leah Begin Having Children (29:31–35)

31–35 The scheming in Jacob’s family was destined to continue, this time between his two wives, Leah and Rachel. The two sisters were soon struggling with each other to gain Jacob’s affection and also to produce the greater number of offspring.

Because Leah was not loved by Jacob, God had compassion on her, and as a consolation He enabled her to begin having children first. Though Jacob had chosen Rachel to bear his children, God had chosen Leah. Rachel remained barren (verse 31).

Each wife had what the other wanted. Rachel had love but wanted children (Genesis 30:1). Leah had children but wanted love. Indeed, Leah expressed her longing for Jacob’s love in the names she gave her first three sons: Reuben, which sounds in Hebrew like “he has seen my misery”; Simeon, which means “one who hears”; and Levi, which means “attached”—an intimation of Leah’s hope that Jacob would become more “attached” to her after the birth of her third son. Levi became the ancestor of the Levites, the priestly line of Israel.

After the birth of her fourth son, Leah seems to have become more content and thankful, for she named him Judah, which means “praise.” Judah became the ancestor of the royal line of Judah, from which would come King DAVID and eventually the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3).