Genesis 29:13-23

13 It happened, when Lavan heard the news of Ya`akov, his sister's son, that he ran to meet Ya`akov, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Ya`akov told Lavan all these things.

14 Lavan said to him, Surely you are my bone and my flesh. He lived with him for a month.

15 Lavan said to Ya`akov, "Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?"

16 Lavan had two daughters. The name of the elder was Le'ah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

17 Le'ah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.

18 Ya`akov loved Rachel. He said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."

19 Lavan said, "It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me."

20 Ya`akov served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

21 Ya`akov said to Lavan, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her."

22 Lavan gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23 It happened in the evening, that he took Le'ah his daughter, and brought her to him. He went in to her.

Genesis 29:13-23 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.