Genesis 29:18

18 And Jacob loved Rachel, and (so he) said, I shall serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

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 Forsooth Laban had two daughters, the name of the elder was Leah, soothly the younger was called Rachel;

17 but Leah was bleary-eyed, and Rachel was of fair face, and lovely in sight. (and Leah was blurry-eyed, but Rachel had a beautiful face, and was lovely to look at.)

18 And Jacob loved Rachel, and (so he) said, I shall serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

19 Laban answered, It is better that I give her to thee than to another man; dwell thou with me.

20 Therefore Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and the days seemed few to him for the greatness of (his) love.