Genesis 29:21

21 [At the end of the seven years] Jacob said to Laban, "The time is up; give me my wife! I want to sleep with her."

Genesis 29:21 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:21

And Jacob said unto Laban, give [me] my wife
Meaning Rachel, who was his wife by contract; the conditions of her being his wife were now fulfilled by him, and therefore he might challenge her as his wife:

for my days are now fulfilled;
the seven years were up he agreed to serve him for his daughter; and therefore it was but just and right she should be given him:

that I may go in unto her;
as his lawful wife, and it was high time Jacob had her; for he was now, as the Jewish writers generally say ^F14, and that very rightly, eighty four years of age; and from him were to spring twelve princes, the heads of twelve tribes, which should inhabit the land of Canaan.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 70. fol. 63. 1. Jarchi in loc. and others.

Genesis 29:21 In-Context

19 Laban responded, "It's better that I give her to you than to any other man. Stay with me."

20 Jacob worked seven years in return for Rachel, but the years seemed like only a few days to him because he loved her.

21 [At the end of the seven years] Jacob said to Laban, "The time is up; give me my wife! I want to sleep with her."

22 So Laban invited all the people of that place and gave a wedding feast.

23 In the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob. Jacob slept with her. When morning came, he realized it was Leah.