Genesis 29:18

18 And Jacob loved Rachel, and said, I will serve thee seven years for thy younger daughter Rachel.

Genesis 29:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:18

And Jacob loved Rachel
As he seems to have done from the moment he saw her at the well, being beautiful, modest, humble, affable, diligent, and industrious:

and he said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger
daughter:
signifying, that he desired no other wages for his service than that, that he might have her for his wife, at the end of seven years' servitude, which he was very willing to oblige himself to, on that condition; for having no money to give as a dowry, as was customary in those times, he proposed servitude instead of it; though Schmidt thinks this was contrary to custom, and that Laban treated his daughters like bondmaids, and such as are taken captives or strangers, and sold them, of which they complain, ( Genesis 31:15 ) .

Genesis 29:18 In-Context

16 Now Laban had two daughters, the name of the elder was Lea, and the name of the younger, Rachel.

17 And the eyes of Lea were weak. But Rachel was beautiful in appearance, and exceedingly fair in countenance.

18 And Jacob loved Rachel, and said, I will serve thee seven years for thy younger daughter Rachel.

19 And Laban said to him, better that I should give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man; dwell with me.

20 And Jacob served for Rachel seven years, and they were before him as a few days, by reason of his loving her.