Genesis 29

Genesis 29:1

Jacob resumed his journey and came to the land of the people of the east.

Genesis 29:1 · BSB

went on his journey Heb. lifted up his feet

people Heb. children

east The district of Mesopotamia , and the whole country beyond the Euphrates , are called Kedem , or the East , in the Sacred Writings.

Genesis 29:2

He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well.

Genesis 29:2 · BSB

a great stone In Arabia , and other places in the East , they cover up their wells of water , lest the sand , which is put in motion by the winds , should fill and quite stop them up. So great was their care not to leave the well open any length of time , that they waited till the flocks were all gathered together before they began to draw water; and when they had finished , the well was immediately closed again.

Genesis 29:3

When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

Genesis 29:3 · BSB

Genesis 29:4

“My brothers,” Jacob asked the shepherds, “where are you from?” “We are from Haran,” they answered.

Genesis 29:4 · BSB

Genesis 29:5

“Do you know Laban the grandson of Nahor?” Jacob asked. “We know him,” they replied.

Genesis 29:5 · BSB

Genesis 29:6

“Is he well?” Jacob inquired. “Yes,” they answered, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with his sheep.”

Genesis 29:6 · BSB

Genesis 29:7

“Look,” said Jacob, “it is still broad daylight; it is not yet time to gather the livestock. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”

Genesis 29:7 · BSB

it is yet high day Heb. yet the day is great

Genesis 29:8

But they replied, “We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”

Genesis 29:8 · BSB

Genesis 29:9

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.

Genesis 29:9 · BSB

for she kept them In those primitive times , a pastoral life was not only considered useful but honourable . nor was it beneath the dignity of the daughters of the most opulent chiefs to carry water from the well , or tend the sheep. Jacob , Moses , and David were shepherds.

Genesis 29:10

As soon as Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother’s brother Laban, with Laban’s sheep, he went up and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep.

Genesis 29:10 · BSB

Genesis 29:11

Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.

Genesis 29:11 · BSB

Genesis 29:12

He told Rachel that he was Rebekah’s son, a relative of her father, and she ran and told her father.

Genesis 29:12 · BSB

Genesis 29:13

When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, where Jacob told him all that had happened.

Genesis 29:13 · BSB

tidings Heb. hearing

Genesis 29:14

Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

Genesis 29:14 · BSB

the space of a month Heb. a month of days

Genesis 29:15

Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

Genesis 29:15 · BSB

Genesis 29:16

Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.

Genesis 29:16 · BSB

Genesis 29:17

Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

Genesis 29:17 · BSB

Genesis 29:18

Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."

Genesis 29:18 · BSB

Genesis 29:19

Laban replied, "Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me."

Genesis 29:19 · BSB

Genesis 29:20

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

Genesis 29:20 · BSB

am 2251 , bc 1753

Genesis 29:21

Finally Jacob said to Laban, "Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her."

Genesis 29:21 · BSB

Genesis 29:22

So Laban invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast.

Genesis 29:22 · BSB

Genesis 29:23

But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her.

Genesis 29:23 · BSB

Genesis 29:24

And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.

Genesis 29:24 · BSB

Genesis 29:25

When morning came, there was Leah! "What have you done to me?" Jacob said to Laban. "Wasn't it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?"

Genesis 29:25 · BSB

Genesis 29:26

Laban replied, "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.

Genesis 29:26 · BSB

Genesis 29:27

Finish this week's celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work."

Genesis 29:27 · BSB

Genesis 29:28

And Jacob did just that. He finished the week's celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.

Genesis 29:28 · BSB

Genesis 29:29

Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.

Genesis 29:29 · BSB

Genesis 29:30

Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.

Genesis 29:30 · BSB

Genesis 29:31

When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

Genesis 29:31 · BSB

Genesis 29:32

And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”

Genesis 29:32 · BSB

am 2252 , bc 1752

Reuben that is , see a son

Genesis 29:33

Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon.

Genesis 29:33 · BSB

am 2253 , bc 1751

Simeon that is , Hearing

Genesis 29:34

Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.

Genesis 29:34 · BSB

am 2254 , bc 1750

Genesis 29:35

And once more she conceived and gave birth to a son and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." So she named him Judah. Then Leah stopped having children.

Genesis 29:35 · BSB

am 2255 , bc 1749

Judah that is , Praise