Genesis 29:26

26 Laban said, "In our country we do not allow the younger daughter to marry before the older daughter.

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 (Laban gave his slave girl Zilpah to his daughter to be her servant.)

25 In the morning when Jacob saw that he had had sexual relations with Leah, he said to Laban, "What have you done to me? I worked hard for you so that I could marry Rachel! Why did you trick me?"

26 Laban said, "In our country we do not allow the younger daughter to marry before the older daughter.

27 But complete the full week of the marriage ceremony with Leah, and I will give you Rachel to marry also. But you must serve me another seven years."

28 So Jacob did this, and when he had completed the week with Leah, Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.