Génesis 29

1 Jacob llega a Padán-aram
Entonces Jacob se apresuró y por fin llegó a la tierra del oriente.

2 A la distancia vio un pozo. Junto al pozo, en campo abierto, había tres rebaños de ovejas y de cabras esperando a que les dieran de beber; pero una pesada piedra tapaba la boca del pozo.

3 Era costumbre del lugar esperar a que llegaran todos los rebaños antes de quitar la piedra y dar de beber a los animales. Después se volvía a tapar la boca del pozo con la piedra.

4 Jacob se acercó a los pastores y preguntó:
—¿De dónde son ustedes, amigos?
—Somos de Harán —contestaron ellos.

5 —¿Conocen allí a un hombre llamado Labán, el nieto de Nacor? —les preguntó.
—Sí, lo conocemos —contestaron.

6 —¿Y él está bien? —preguntó Jacob.
—Sí, está bien —contestaron—. Mire, ahí viene su hija Raquel con los rebaños.

7 —Todavía estamos a plena luz del día —dijo Jacob—, por lo que es demasiado temprano para reunir a los animales. ¿Por qué no dan ustedes de beber a las ovejas y a las cabras para que así puedan volver a pastar?

8 —No podemos dar de beber a los animales hasta que hayan llegado todos los rebaños —contestaron—. Entonces los pastores quitan la piedra de la boca del pozo y damos de beber a todas las ovejas y las cabras.

9 Todavía estaba Jacob hablando con ellos cuando llegó Raquel con los rebaños de su padre, porque ella era pastora.

10 Ya que Raquel era su prima —la hija de Labán, el hermano de su madre—, y como las ovejas y las cabras eran de su tío Labán, Jacob fue al pozo, quitó la piedra que tapaba la boca y dio de beber al rebaño de su tío.

11 Luego Jacob besó a Raquel y lloró en voz alta.

12 Le explicó a Raquel que él era su primo por parte de su padre, el hijo de su tía Rebeca. Enseguida Raquel salió corriendo y se lo contó a su padre Labán.

13 En cuanto Labán oyó que su sobrino Jacob había llegado, corrió a encontrarse con él. Lo abrazó y lo besó, y lo llevó a su casa. Cuando Jacob le contó su historia,

14 Labán exclamó: «¡Verdaderamente eres de mi misma sangre!».
Jacob se casa con Lea y con Raquel
Jacob se quedó con Labán alrededor de un mes, y después

15 Labán le dijo:
—No deberías trabajar para mí sin recibir pago, solo porque somos parientes. Dime cuánto debería ser tu salario.

16 Labán tenía dos hijas. La mayor se llamaba Lea, y la menor se llamaba Raquel.

17 No había brillo en los ojos de Lea,
pero Raquel tenía una hermosa figura y una cara bonita.

18 Ya que Jacob estaba enamorado de Raquel, le dijo a su padre:
—Trabajaré para ti siete años si me entregas como esposa a Raquel, tu hija menor.

19 —¡De acuerdo! —respondió Labán—. Prefiero entregártela a ti que a cualquier otro. Quédate y trabaja para mí.

20 Así que Jacob trabajó siete años para obtener a Raquel; pero su amor por ella era tan fuerte que le parecieron unos pocos días.

21 Finalmente llegó el momento de casarse con ella. «He cumplido mi parte del acuerdo —le dijo Jacob a Labán—. Ahora entrégame a mi esposa para acostarme con ella».

22 Entonces Labán invitó a toda la gente de los alrededores y preparó una fiesta de bodas;

23 pero aquella noche, cuando estaba oscuro, Labán tomó a Lea y se la entregó a Jacob, y él durmió con ella.

24 (Labán le había dado a Lea una sierva, Zilpa, para que la atendiera).

25 A la mañana siguiente, cuando Jacob se despertó, ¡vio que era Lea!
—¿Qué me has hecho? —le dijo a Labán con furia—. ¡He trabajado siete años por Raquel! ¿Por qué me has engañado?

26 —Aquí no es nuestra costumbre casar a la hija menor antes que a la mayor —contestó Labán—,

27 pero espera hasta que termine la semana nupcial y entonces te daré también a Raquel, siempre y cuando prometas trabajar para mí otros siete años.

28 Así que Jacob aceptó trabajar siete años más. Una semana después de casarse con Lea, Labán también le entregó a Raquel.

29 (Labán le dio a Raquel una sierva, Bilha, para que la atendiera).

30 Entonces Jacob durmió también con Raquel, y la amó mucho más que a Lea. Y se quedó allí y trabajó para Labán los siete años adicionales.

31 Los muchos hijos de Jacob
Cuando el Señor
vio que Lea no era amada, le concedió que tuviera hijos, pero Raquel no podía concebir.

32 Así que Lea quedó embarazada y dio a luz un hijo, a quien llamó Rubén,
porque dijo: «El Señor
se ha dado cuenta de mi sufrimiento, y ahora mi esposo me amará».

33 Al poco tiempo, volvió a quedar embarazada y dio a luz otro hijo, a quien llamó Simeón,
porque dijo: «El Señor
oyó que yo no era amada y me ha dado otro hijo».

34 Después quedó embarazada por tercera vez y dio a luz otro hijo, a quien llamó Leví,
porque dijo: «Ciertamente esta vez mi esposo sentirá cariño por mí, ya que le he dado tres hijos».

35 Una vez más Lea quedó embarazada y dio a luz otro hijo, a quien llamó Judá,
porque dijo: «¡Ahora alabaré al Señor
!». Y entonces dejó de tener hijos.

Génesis 29 Commentary

Chapter 29

Jacob comes to the well of Haran. (1-8) His interview with Rachel, Laban entertains him. (9-14) Jacob's covenant for Rachel, Laban's deceit. (15-30) Leah's sons. (31-35)

Verses 1-8 Jacob proceeded cheerfully in his journey, after the sweet communion he had with God at Beth-el. Providence brought him to the field where his uncle's flocks were to be watered. What is said of the care of the shepherds for their sheep, may remind us of the tender concern which our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, has for his flock the church; for he is the good Shepherd, that knows his sheep, and is known of them. The stone at the well's mouth was to secure it; water was scarce, it was not there for every one's use: but separate interests should not take us from helping one another. When all the shepherds came together with their flocks, then, like loving neighbours, they watered their flocks together. The law of kindness in the tongue has a commanding power, ( Proverbs 31:26 ) . Jacob was civil to these strangers, and he found them civil to him.

Verses 9-14 See Rachel's humility and industry. Nobody needs to be ashamed of honest, useful labour, nor ought it to hinder any one's preferment. When Jacob understood that this was his kinswoman, he was very ready to serve her. Laban, though not the best humoured, bade him welcome, and was satisfied with the account Jacob gave of himself. While we avoid being foolishly ready to believe every thing which is told us, we must take heed of being uncharitably suspicious.

Verses 15-30 During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years' service Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, ( Hebrews 6:10 ) . If we know how to value the happiness of heaven, the sufferings of this present time will be as nothing to us. An age of work will be but as a few days to those that love God, and long for Christ's appearing. Jacob, who had imposed upon his father, is imposed upon by Laban, his father-in-law, by a like deception. Herein, how unrighteous soever Laban was, the Lord was righteous: see ( Judges 1:7 ) . Even the righteous, if they take a false step, are sometimes thus recompensed in the earth. And many who are not, like Jacob, in their marriage, disappointed in person, soon find themselves, as much to their grief, disappointed in the character. The choice of that relation ought to be made with good advice and thought on both sides. There is reason to believe that Laban's excuse was not true. His way of settling the matter made bad worse. Jacob was drawn into the disquiet of multiplying wives. He could not refuse Rachel, for he had espoused her; still less could he refuse Leah. As yet there was no express command against marrying more than one wife. It was in the patriarchs a sin of ignorance; but it will not justify the like practice now, when God's will is plainly made known by the Divine law, ( Leviticus 18:18 ) , and more fully since, by our Saviour, that one man and woman ( 1 Corinthians. 7:2 )

Verses 31-35 The names Leah gave her children, expressed her respect and regard, both to God and to her husband. Reuben, or See a son, with this thought, Now will my husband love me; Levi, or joined, expecting, Now will my husband be joined unto me. Mutual affection is both the duty and comfort of the married relation; and yoke-fellows should study to recommend themselves to each ( 1 Corinthians. 7:33 1 Corinthians. 7:34 ) providence of God in hearing her. Whatever supports and comforts us under afflictions, or tends to our deliverance from them, God must be owned in it. Her fourth son she called Judah, or praise, saying, Now will I praise the Lord. This was he, of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Whatever is the matter of our rejoicing, ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Fresh favours should quicken us to praise God for former favours; Now will I praise the Lord more and better than I have done. All our praises must centre in Christ, both as the matter of them, and as the Mediator of them. He descended after the flesh from him whose name was "Praise," and He is our praise. Is Christ formed in my heart? Now will I praise the Lord.

Chapter Summary

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.