Genesis 29:25-35

25 "What have you done to me?" Jacob asked Laban. "Didn't I work for you in return for Rachel? Why did you cheat me?"

26 Laban answered, "It's not our custom to give the younger daughter [in marriage] before the older one.

27 Finish the week of wedding festivities with this daughter. Then we will give you the other one too. But you'll have to work for me another seven years."

28 That's what Jacob did. He finished the week with Leah. Then Laban gave his daughter Rachel to him as his wife.

29 (Laban had given his slave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her slave.)

30 Jacob slept with Rachel too. He loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.

31 When the LORD saw Leah was unloved, he made it possible for her to have children, but Rachel had none.

32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben [Here's My Son], because she said, "Certainly, the LORD has seen my misery; now my husband will love me!"

33 She became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She said, "Certainly, the LORD has heard that I'm unloved, and he also has given me this son." So she named him Simeon [Hearing].

34 She became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She said, "Now at last my husband will become attached to me because I've given him three sons." So she named him Levi [Attached].

35 She became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She said, "This time I will praise the LORD." So she named him Judah [Praise]. Then she stopped having children.

Genesis 29:25-35 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.