Genesis 29

Jacob's Introduction to Laban Genesis 29:9–14

⁹Verse 9. While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she kept them. ¹⁰Verse 10. When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. ¹¹Verse 11. Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. ¹²Verse 12. Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father. ¹³Verse 13. When Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things.

¹⁴Verse 14. Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” He stayed with him for a month.

Jacob's Proposal for Marriage Genesis 29:15–20

¹⁵Verse 15. Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?” ¹⁶Verse 16. Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷Verse 17. Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. ¹⁸Verse 18. Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.” ¹⁹Verse 19. Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” ²⁰Verse 20. Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

The Deception at the Wedding Genesis 29:21–28

²¹Verse 21. Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.” ²²Verse 22. Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. ²³Verse 23. In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him. He went in to her. ²⁴Verse 24. Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant. ²⁵Verse 25. In the morning, behold, it was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” ²⁶Verse 26. Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.

²⁷Verse 27. Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me yet seven other years.” ²⁸Verse 28. Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.

Jacob's Love for Rachel Genesis 29:29–30

²⁹Verse 29. Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah, his servant, to be her servant. ³⁰Verse 30. He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

Leah's Children and God's Favor Genesis 29:31–35

³¹Verse 31. Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. ³²Verse 32. Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” ³³Verse 33. She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon. ³⁴Verse 34. She conceived again, and bore a son. Said, “Now this time will my husband be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.

³⁵Verse 35. She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time will I praise Yahweh.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.