Genesis 29
29
Jacob Arrives at Paddan-Aram
1Then Jacob hurried on, finally arriving in the land of the east. 2He saw a well in the distance. Three flocks of sheep and goats lay in an open field beside it, waiting to be watered. But a heavy stone covered the mouth of the well.
3It was the custom there to wait for all the flocks to arrive before removing the stone and watering the animals. Afterward the stone would be placed back over the mouth of the well. 4Jacob went over to the shepherds and asked, “Where are you from, my friends?”
“We are from Haran,” they answered.
5“Do you know a man there named Laban, the grandson of Nahor?” he asked.
“Yes, we do,” they replied.
6“Is he doing well?” Jacob asked.
“Yes, he’s well,” they answered. “Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with the flock now.”
7Jacob said, “Look, it’s still broad daylight—too early to round up the animals. Why don’t you water the sheep and goats so they can get back out to pasture?”
8“We can’t water the animals until all the flocks have arrived,” they replied. “Then the shepherds move the stone from the mouth of the well, and we water all the sheep and goats.”
9Jacob was still talking with them when Rachel arrived with her father’s flock, for she was a shepherd. 10And because Rachel was his cousin—the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother—and because the sheep and goats belonged to his uncle Laban, Jacob went over to the well and moved the stone from its mouth and watered his uncle’s flock. 11Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and he wept aloud. 12He explained to Rachel that he was her cousin on her father’s side—the son of her aunt Rebekah. So Rachel quickly ran and told her father, Laban.
13As soon as Laban heard that his nephew Jacob had arrived, he ran out to meet him. He embraced and kissed him and brought him home. When Jacob had told him his story, 14Laban exclaimed, “You really are my own flesh and blood!”
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
After Jacob had stayed with Laban for about a month, 15Laban said to him, “You shouldn’t work for me without pay just because we are relatives. Tell me how much your wages should be.”
16Now Laban had two daughters. The older daughter was named Leah, and the younger one was Rachel. 17There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes,#29:17 Or Leah had dull eyes, or Leah had soft eyes. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face. 18Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.”
19“Agreed!” Laban replied. “I’d rather give her to you than to anyone else. Stay and work with me.” 20So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.
21Finally, the time came for him to marry her. “I have fulfilled my agreement,” Jacob said to Laban. “Now give me my wife so I can sleep with her.”
22So Laban invited everyone in the neighborhood and prepared a wedding feast. 23But that night, when it was dark, Laban took Leah to Jacob, and he slept with her. 24(Laban had given Leah a servant, Zilpah, to be her maid.)
25But when Jacob woke up in the morning—it was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob raged at Laban. “I worked seven years for Rachel! Why have you tricked me?”
26“It’s not our custom here to marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn,” Laban replied. 27“But wait until the bridal week is over; then we’ll give you Rachel, too—provided you promise to work another seven years for me.”
28So Jacob agreed to work seven more years. A week after Jacob had married Leah, Laban gave him Rachel, too. 29(Laban gave Rachel a servant, Bilhah, to be her maid.) 30So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her much more than Leah. He then stayed and worked for Laban the additional seven years.
Jacob’s Many Children
31When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive. 32So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben,#29:32 Reuben means “Look, a son!” It also sounds like the Hebrew for “He has seen my misery.” for she said, “The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.”
33She soon became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She named him Simeon,#29:33 Simeon probably means “one who hears.” for she said, “The Lord heard that I was unloved and has given me another son.”
34Then she became pregnant a third time and gave birth to another son. He was named Levi,#29:34 Levi sounds like a Hebrew term that means “being attached” or “feeling affection for.” for she said, “Surely this time my husband will feel affection for me, since I have given him three sons!”
35Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah,#29:35 Judah is related to the Hebrew term for “praise.” for she said, “Now I will praise the Lord!” And then she stopped having children.
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Genesis 29: NLT
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Genesis 29
29
Jacob Meets a Woman at the Well
1Jacob resumed his journey # 29:1 Or “Jacob lifted up his feet.” This unusual Hebrew expression could be double entendre, telling us that Jacob lifted up his feet not only to go on his journey but also to go up the Stairway he had just seen in his dream. To move forward is always to move higher up with God. and entered the land east of Canaan. # 29:1 Or “the land of the sons of the east,” that is, east of Canaan. Jacob arrived at Paddan-Aram in Mesopotamia. 2One day, Jacob came to a well out in the open country where the shepherds watered their animals. Three flocks of sheep and goats were lying near the well, which had a large, heavy stone covering the opening. 3Whenever all the flocks gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well, water their sheep, and then roll the stone back over the top of the well.
4Jacob approached them and said, “Good day, friends; where are you from?”
“We’re from Haran,” they answered.
5“Do you happen to know Laban, # 29:5 Laban was the son of Bethuel and the grandson of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. a grandson of Nahor?” Jacob said.
“We do,” they replied.
6Jacob asked, “How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing well,” they answered. “As a matter of fact, here comes his daughter Rachel # 29:6 Rachel means “ewe lamb.” right now with her flock.” # 29:6 It is obvious that God led Jacob supernaturally to the very well where Rachel would appear, and she came at an unusual time of day to water her father’s flocks. This was a divine appointment for Jacob. And you can be assured that God has his hands of guidance upon you also.
7Jacob said to them, “Look, it’s not time for the animals to gather together here; it’s now the hottest hour of the day. Let’s go ahead and water the sheep, then you can go and pasture them.”
8They replied, “First, we have to wait until all the flocks are gathered. After that, the stone needs to be rolled away from the mouth of the well, then we’ll water the animals.”
9While they were still speaking, Rachel, the shepherdess, drew near to the well with her father’s sheep. 10As soon as Jacob took one good look at Rachel, the beautiful daughter of his uncle Laban, he quickly went over to the mouth of the well and single-handedly rolled away the stone and watered all the flock of his uncle Laban! # 29:10 At the sight of the lovely Rachel, Jacob’s soul was so moved that he gained the strength to roll away the stone all by himself. “One flash of [her] eyes” (Song. 4:9) made him a momentary “superman.” After he moved the heavy stone, Jacob drew gallons and gallons of water for her flocks. 11Immediately, he walked up to Rachel and kissed her! Unable to hold back his tears, Jacob wept aloud. # 29:11 This entire scene is filled with emotion. Jacob saw the girl of his dreams and became supercharged to move the heavy stone and water her flock. Then he kissed her and lifted up his voice with passionate tears. You can almost hear the tender music playing in the background as this “guy meets girl” scene unfolds. As you read it over again, think of Jesus who also rolled away a heavy stone so that he could come meet you to romance your soul (see Song of Songs). He drew you to faith in him, then offered you a drink from the well of life. 12After he composed himself, he explained to Rachel, “I’m your father’s nephew, your aunt Rebekah’s son.” Upon hearing this, Rachel ran to tell her father. 13When Laban heard the news that his nephew Jacob had arrived at the well, he ran to greet him. Laban hugged and kissed Jacob and welcomed him into his home. After Jacob told him the story of all that happened, 14Laban said to him, “Certainly, you are my own flesh and blood!” Jacob stayed with him for an entire month and worked for him.
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
15Afterward, Laban said to Jacob, “Just because you’re my relative doesn’t mean I expect you to work for nothing. Tell me, what do you want your wages to be?” 16(Now, Laban had two daughters; the older was Leah, # 29:16 The etymology of the name Leah is somewhat ambiguous. Some Hebrew scholars equate the name Leah with “weak,” “sluggish,” or “weary.” Tradition has it that Leah was cross-eyed, or perhaps partly blind. Her vision was impaired; seeing dimly. A “Leah” church does not function with clear vision. Leah represents those with limited vision who cannot discern the timing and ways of God. Like the lukewarm Laodiceans, the church is instructed to “purchase eye salve” so that it can see clearly (Rev. 3:18). A vision-impaired church will live by principles, laws, traditions, and customs. It was the “custom” for Leah to marry Jacob (v. 26). Like many today, she was unable to see clearly, felt unloved, and was unable to perceive God’s greater purpose. The fruit of Leah (and her handmaiden, called “the slave girl” in Gal. 4:21–22) was only bondage. Jacob had to “work” after getting her! and the younger was Rachel. 17Rachel had a lovely figure and was gorgeous, # 29:17 Or “Rachel was beautiful of form and beautiful in appearance.” Rachel becomes a picture of the radiant bride of the last days who makes herself ready for her Bridegroom. See Eph. 5:27; Rev. 19:7. but Leah’s eyes were weak. # 29:17 Or “her eyes were sickly” (LXX). The Hebrew is uncertain. )
18Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel, so he answered Laban, “I will serve you for seven years for the hand of your younger daughter, Rachel!”
19Laban replied, “I’d rather give her to you than to some other man. Stay and work for me.” 20So Jacob served Laban for seven years in exchange for Rachel, but because he loved her so deeply, the seven years seemed like only a few days. # 29:20 Love can make long, hard service short and easy. This is why the Scriptures speak of a labor of love (1 Thess. 1:3; Heb. 6:10). In Hos. 12:12, we learn that Jacob tended sheep for those seven years in order to get the bride he loved. There is another who has now waited for nearly seven thousand years for his bride that he dearly loves! And what has he been doing for all those years? He has been carrying his lambs close to his heart and tending his flock like a Shepherd (see Isa. 40:11).
21After the seven years, Jacob said to Laban, “My time is fulfilled; give me your daughter so that I may marry her and sleep with her.” 22So Laban prepared a wedding feast # 29:22 Or “drinking party.” and invited all the people of the surrounding area. 23That night, Laban tricked Jacob by bringing his older daughter Leah to Jacob’s tent, and he slept with her on his wedding night! # 29:23 Perhaps Jacob was drunk on wine, and Leah was wearing a bridal veil. 24(Laban assigned Zilpah # 29:24 Zilpah means “small” or “a trickling.” to be Leah’s servant.)
25When Jacob woke up the next morning, he was shocked to find Leah lying next to him! So he confronted Laban and said, “What have you done to me? Didn’t I serve you these seven years for Rachel? Why have you tricked me?”
26Laban answered, “It’s not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older daughter is married. 27Wait until this bridal week of festivities is over, then I’ll give you Rachel, but you must serve me for another seven years.” # 29:27 For those seven years, God was teaching Jacob submission to the rights of the firstborn. It was not right to marry the younger before the older. All that Jacob had circumvented in stealing the blessing from Esau he must now learn by serving for another seven years and learn the timing of God. After the first seven years were over, Laban tricked Jacob by giving him Leah, not Rachel, on his wedding night. Jacob was fooled by the veil over the bride’s face, thinking she was Rachel, even as he had fooled his father with a hairy skin over his arms, confusing him with Esau. Every “Jacob” will one day meet his “Laban.”
28-30Jacob complied with Laban’s request. After he completed the prescribed week of Leah’s wedding feast, Laban gave his daughter Rachel to be his wife, and he slept with her. Rachel was his true love, not Leah. (Laban assigned Bilhah # 29:28–30 The name Bilhah may come from an Arabic word for “stupid” or “unconcerned.” If it comes from Hebrew, it means “troubled.” as his daughter Rachel’s servant.) And Jacob remained there serving Laban for another seven years.
Leah’s Four Sons
31When Yahweh saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb, but Rachel remained childless. 32Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, # 29:32 Reuben means “See! A son!” Leah defined fulfillment by how much Jacob loved her. Envy can often be traced back to an inward struggle to gain identity. Leah and Rachel competed for Jacob’s heart. Leah called her firstborn Reuben, which in Hebrew sounds like “he has seen my misery.” saying, “Because Yahweh looked upon me with compassion in my misery, surely, my husband will love me now!” 33She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and named him Simeon, # 29:33 Simeon’s name comes from the Hebrew verb meaning “to hear.” God saw Leah’s pain and heard her cry. She named her first two children after God’s mercy and compassion for the downcast and rejected. There is a mercy-chord in God’s heart that is touched by the broken, poor, and rejected. God gives greater honor to dishonored ones (see 1 Cor. 12:24). It is the nature of God to be drawn to those who hurt. God saw her pain, her loneliness, and her heartache. If only she had understood how greatly the Lord loved her. saying, “Yahweh has heard that I am despised, and in his mercy, he has given me this son also.” 34Leah conceived the third time, gave birth to a son, and named him Levi, # 29:34 The name Levi sounds like the Hebrew word meaning “to join,” “bind,” or “attach.” saying, “This time my husband will be joined to me, because now I’ve given him three sons!” 35Once again, Leah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Judah, # 29:35 The name Judah sounds like the Hebrew verb meaning “to praise.” Over the years of struggling with the pain of being unloved, Leah finally opened her heart to the Lord, and grace touched her. God was tenderly wooing her to himself through her disappointment in her marriage. At last, she gave birth to her fourth son and resolved to praise the Lord no matter what. Leah had now become a worshiper of the Almighty. She found her fulfillment in God, so she named her son Judah and declared, “This time I will praise the Lord!” Leah, not Rachel, became the mother of Judah and the ancestor of Jesus. saying, “This time I will praise the Lord!” Then she stopped bearing children for a while.
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