1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them.
10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.
18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
Genesis chapter 29 continues the story of Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. After fleeing from his brother Esau, who wanted to kill him, Jacob arrives at the land of his mother's family. He meets his uncle Laban, who offers him a place to stay and work in exchange for his labor. Jacob agrees and begins to work for Laban.
As Jacob settles into his new life, he meets Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel. Jacob is immediately drawn to Rachel and falls deeply in love with her. He offers to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. Laban agrees, and Jacob works diligently for seven years, eagerly anticipating his marriage to Rachel.
After the seven years are up, Jacob asks Laban for Rachel's hand in marriage. However, Laban deceives Jacob and gives him Leah instead. When Jacob discovers this, he is furious and confronts Laban. Laban explains that it is not customary to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older daughter. He offers Jacob Rachel's hand in marriage as well, but Jacob must work for another seven years.
Laban's deception not only affects Jacob but also Leah, who is forced to marry a man who does not love her. This deception also sets the stage for future conflicts between Jacob and Laban, as Laban continues to deceive and manipulate Jacob throughout their time together.
Despite the deception, Jacob's love for Rachel remains strong, and he agrees to work for another seven years to marry her. This shows the depth of Jacob's love and dedication to Rachel, as well as his determination to fulfill his promise to Laban.
As Jacob's marriage to Rachel begins, she is unable to bear children. This causes tension between Rachel and Leah, as Leah is able to bear children for Jacob. Rachel becomes envious of Leah and gives her handmaid, Bilhah, to Jacob to bear children on her behalf. Leah also gives her handmaid, Zilpah, to Jacob for the same purpose.
In total, Jacob has twelve sons, who will become the twelve tribes of Israel. This is significant because it fulfills God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. It also shows the importance of family and lineage in the biblical narrative.
Genesis chapter 29 highlights the themes of love, deception, and family. It shows the power of love, as Jacob is willing to work for fourteen years to marry Rachel. It also reveals the consequences of deception, as Laban's actions not only affect Jacob but also Leah and their future relationship.
The chapter also emphasizes the importance of family and lineage in the biblical narrative. The birth of Jacob's twelve sons sets the foundation for the nation of Israel and fulfills God's promise to Abraham. It also shows the complexities and challenges of family dynamics, as seen in the rivalry between Rachel and Leah.
Furthermore, the chapter highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Despite the deception and challenges faced by Jacob, God remains faithful to his promise and continues to bless him with children and prosperity.
Overall, Genesis chapter 29 serves as a reminder of the power of love, the consequences of deception, and the importance of family and God's faithfulness in the biblical narrative. It also sets the stage for future events in Jacob's life, as he continues to navigate his relationships with Laban and his growing family.
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