Genesis 29:21-31

21 And Jacob said to Laban, Give [me] my wife (for my days are fulfilled) that I may go in to her.

22 And Laban assembled all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in to her.

24 And Laban gave to his daughter Leah, Zilpah his maid [for] a handmaid.

25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it [was] Leah: and he said to Laban, What [is] this thou hast done to me? did I not serve with thee for Rachel? why then hast thou deceived me?

26 And Laban said, it must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born.

27 Fulfill her week, and we will give thee this also, for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel, his daughter, for a wife also.

29 And Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, Bilhah, his handmaid, to be her maid.

30 And he went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

31 And when the LORD saw that Leah [was] hated, he made her fruitful: but Rachel [was] barren.

Genesis 29:21-31 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.