Genesis 29:11-20

11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud.
12 He had told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her father.
13 As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things.
Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.”

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

14 After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month,
15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”
16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 Leah had weak[a] eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful.
18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”
19 Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.”
20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

Genesis 29:11-20 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.

Cross References 18

  • 1. ver 13
  • 2. Genesis 33:4; Genesis 42:24; Genesis 43:30; Genesis 45:2,14-15; Genesis 46:29; Genesis 50:1,17; Ruth 1:9
  • 3. ver 15; Genesis 13:8; Genesis 14:14,16
  • 4. S Genesis 24:29
  • 5. Genesis 24:28
  • 6. S Genesis 24:29
  • 7. Genesis 33:4; Genesis 45:14-15,14; Genesis 48:10; Exodus 4:27; Exodus 18:7; Luke 15:20
  • 8. Genesis 2:23; Genesis 37:27; Judges 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1; 2 Samuel 19:12-13; 2 Samuel 20:1; Nehemiah 5:5; Isaiah 58:7
  • 9. ver 12
  • 10. Genesis 30:28,32; Genesis 31:7,41
  • 11. ver 17,23,28,30; Genesis 30:9; Genesis 35:23; Genesis 47:30; Genesis 49:31; Ruth 4:11
  • 12. ver 9-10
  • 13. S ver 16
  • 14. S Genesis 12:11
  • 15. S Genesis 24:67
  • 16. ver 20,27,30; Genesis 30:26; Hosea 12:12
  • 17. S ver 18; Genesis 31:15
  • 18. Song of Songs 8:7; Hosea 12:12

Footnotes 1

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