Jacob's supernatural strength in rolling away the massive stone that required multiple shepherds parallels his later wrestling with God, foreshadowing his transformation into Israel.
Genesis 29
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
1Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east.
2He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they watered the flocks. The stone on the well’s mouth was large.
3There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone back on the well’s mouth in its place.
4Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.”
5He said to them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.”
6He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep.”
7He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”
8They said, “We can’t, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth. Then we will water the sheep.”
9While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she kept them.
10When 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.
11Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.
13When 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.
14Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month.
15Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?”
16Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.
18Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”
19Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”
20Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.
21Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.”
22Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
23In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to Jacob. He went in to her.
24Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant.
25In 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?”
26Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for seven more years.”
28Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.
29Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.
30He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years.
31The LORD saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
32Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because the LORD has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”
33She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon.
34She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.
35She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
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Theme
Jacob arrives in Haran where he meets Rachel at a well and falls in love with her. He agrees to work seven years for her father Laban to earn her hand in marriage, but Laban deceives him by substituting Leah on the wedding night. Jacob then agrees to work another seven years to marry Rachel as well, establishing the foundation for the twelve tribes of Israel through his two wives and their servants.
Context
This chapter continues Jacob's journey from Bethel and begins the twenty-year period in Haran that will transform him from a solitary fugitive into the father of a large family.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-8 Jacob Arrives at the Well Jacob reaches Haran and encounters shepherds at a well, learning about Laban's family.
- 9-14 Meeting Rachel and Laban Jacob meets Rachel, reveals his identity, and is welcomed by Laban into his household.
- 15-20 Jacob's Marriage Contract Jacob agrees to serve Laban seven years in exchange for marrying Rachel.
- 21-30 Laban's Deception and Second Marriage Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah first, then allows him to marry Rachel for another seven years of service.
- 31-35 The Beginning of Jacob's Family Leah bears four sons while Rachel remains barren, establishing the start of the twelve tribes.
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
29:1–29:35 narrative narration joyful
Jacob arrives in Haran and meets Rachel at a well, falling in love with her and agreeing to work seven years for Laban to marry her. The passage establishes the beginning of Jacob's complex relationship with Laban and his deep love for Rachel.
person_contrast
Jacob's supernatural strength in rolling away the massive stone that required multiple shepherds parallels his later wrestling with God, foreshadowing his transformation into Israel.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Genesis 29:3 2 references
Genesis 29:7 4 references
Lexicals 4
Exodus 2:19 Lexical
They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and moreover he drew water for us, and watered th…
Exodus 2:17 Lexical
The shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.
Genesis 46:34 Lexical
that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our father…
Genesis 46:32 Lexical
These men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, a…
Genesis 29:8 1 reference
Genesis 29:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
Genesis 31:19 Lexical
Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep; and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father’s.
Genesis 31:33 Lexical
Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two female servants; but he didn’t find them. H…
Genesis 30:25 Lexical
When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place, and to my country.
Genesis 46:25 Lexical
These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls were s…
Genesis 28:5 Lexical
Isaac sent Jacob away. He went to Paddan Aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and E…
Genesis 29:11 3 references
Lexicals 3
Ruth 1:9 Lexical
May the LORD grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they…
Ruth 1:14 Lexical
They lifted up their voices and wept again; then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her.
Jeremiah 31:15 Lexical
The LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses…
Genesis 29:12 1 reference
Genesis 29:13 1 reference
Genesis 29:15 2 references
Genesis 29:16 1 reference
Genesis 29:17 2 references
Genesis 29:18 1 reference
Genesis 29:20 1 reference
Genesis 29:24 5 references
Lexicals 5
Genesis 46:18 Lexical
These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob, even sixteen souls.
Genesis 30:10 Lexical
Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a son.
Genesis 30:12 Lexical
Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a second son.
Genesis 35:26 Lexical
The sons of Zilpah (Leah’s servant): Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram.
Genesis 30:9 Lexical
When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.
Genesis 29:25 1 reference
Genesis 29:26 2 references
Genesis 29:29 3 references
Lexicals 3
Genesis 46:25 Lexical
These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob: all the souls were s…
Genesis 35:25 Lexical
The sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant): Dan and Naphtali.
Genesis 30:7 Lexical
Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son.
Genesis 29:31 1 reference
Genesis 29:32 2 references
Genesis 29:33 1 reference
Genesis 29:34 2 references
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
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