Genesis 29:26

26 Then Laban said, "{It is not the custom} in our country to give the younger before the firstborn.

Genesis 29:26 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:26

And Laban said, it must not be so done in, our country
Or "in our place" ^F19; in this our city it is not usual and customary to do so; he does not deny what he had done in beguiling him, nor the agreement he had made with him, but pleads the custom of the place as contrary to it:

to give the younger,
that is, in marriage,

before the firstborn;
but it does not appear there was any such custom, and it was a mere evasion; or otherwise, why did not he inform him of this when he asked for Rachel? and why did he enter into a contract with him, contrary to such a known custom? and besides; how could he have the nerve to call the men of the city, and make a feast for the marriage of his younger daughter, if this was the case?

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (wnmwqmb) "in loco nostro", Pagninus, Montanus, &c

Genesis 29:26 In-Context

24 And Laban gave Zilpah his female servant to her, to Leah his daughter [as] a female servant.

25 And it happened [that] in the morning, behold, it [was] Leah! And he said to Laban, "What [is] this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Now why did you deceive me?"

26 Then Laban said, "{It is not the custom} in our country to give the younger before the firstborn.

27 Complete the week of this one, then I will also give you the other, {on the condition that you will work for me} another seven years."

28 And Jacob did so. So he completed the week of this [one], then he gave Rachel his daughter to him as a wife.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "it is not thus done"