Genesis 29

King James Version

Full text for Genesis Chapter 29

1¶ Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.

2And 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.

3And 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.

4And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence [be] ye? And they said, Of Haran [are] we.

5And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know [him].

6And he said unto them, [Is] he well? And they said, [He is] well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

7And 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].

8And 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.

10And 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.

11And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12And Jacob told Rachel that he [was] her father's brother, and that he [was] Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.

13And 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.

14And 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]?

16And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder [was] Leah, and the name of the younger [was] Rachel.

17Leah [was] tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

18And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

19And Laban said, [It is] better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

20And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him [but] a few days, for the love he had to her.

21And Jacob said unto Laban, Give [me] my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

24And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid [for] an handmaid.

25And 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?

26And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

29And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

30And 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.

32And 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.

33And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I [was] hated, he hath therefore given me this [son] also: and she called his name Simeon.

34And 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.

35And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jacob arrives in Haran, meets his cousin Rachel at a well, and is welcomed by Laban. He agrees to serve seven years for Rachel, but Laban deceives him, giving him Leah first. Jacob then serves another seven years for Rachel, whom he loves more, while the LORD blesses Leah with four sons.

Medium Summary

Upon reaching the land of the east, Jacob encounters shepherds at a well and soon meets Rachel, Laban's daughter, with her flock. He assists her, reveals his kinship, and is warmly received by Laban, his mother's brother. After a month, Jacob agrees to serve Laban for seven years in exchange for Rachel, whom he deeply loves. However, after the initial seven years, Laban deceptively gives Jacob his elder daughter, Leah, in marriage. Laban justifies this by local custom and offers Rachel as well, provided Jacob serves another seven years. Jacob agrees, marries Rachel, and loves her more than Leah. Observing Leah's lesser favored status, the LORD opens her womb, enabling her to bear four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, while Rachel remains barren.

Long Summary

Jacob journeys to the land of the east and discovers a well where shepherds gather their flocks. He inquires about Laban, his mother's brother, and soon Rachel, Laban's daughter, arrives with her sheep. Jacob, upon seeing Rachel, demonstrates his strength by rolling the heavy stone from the well's mouth and watering her flock. He then introduces himself as Rebekah's son, leading Rachel to swiftly inform her father. Laban joyfully greets Jacob, embracing him and bringing him into his home, where Jacob recounts his journey. After Jacob resides with Laban for a month, Laban proposes a wage for his service, acknowledging their kinship. Laban presents his two daughters: Leah, described as tender-eyed, and Rachel, noted for her beauty. Jacob, captivated by Rachel, offers to serve Laban for seven years to marry her. Laban agrees, and Jacob's service for Rachel feels like only a few days due to his profound love for her. When the seven years are complete, Jacob requests his wife. Laban gathers the men for a feast, but under the cover of darkness, he brings Leah to Jacob, who unknowingly consummates the marriage. In the morning, Jacob discovers the deception and confronts Laban, who explains the local custom of marrying the elder daughter before the younger. Laban then offers Rachel to Jacob after Leah's bridal week is fulfilled, on the condition that Jacob serves another seven years. Jacob accepts these terms, marries Rachel, and his love for her surpasses his affection for Leah. Observing Leah's less favored position, the LORD intervenes by opening her womb, while Rachel remains barren. Consequently, Leah bears four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, each name reflecting her hope for her husband's love or her praise to the LORD for her fertility.

Core Concepts

  • Kinship and WelcomeJacob's arrival in Haran leads to his immediate connection with Laban's family, highlighting the importance of familial ties and the warm reception he receives as Rebekah's son.
  • Love and LaborJacob's deep affection for Rachel motivates him to serve Laban for seven years, making the arduous labor seem brief due to his profound love for her.
  • Deception and CustomLaban's trickery in substituting Leah for Rachel is justified by the local custom of marrying the elder daughter before the younger, revealing a significant cultural practice of the time.
  • Polygamy and RivalryJacob's subsequent marriages to both Leah and Rachel establish a polygamous household, leading to a dynamic where Rachel is loved more, creating an imbalance in the family.
  • Divine Intervention and FertilityThe LORD intervenes by opening Leah's womb because she was less loved, contrasting with Rachel's initial barrenness and emphasizing divine sovereignty over childbearing.
  • Naming of SonsLeah names her first four sons (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah), with each name reflecting her emotional state, her desire for Jacob's affection, or her praise to the LORD for her fertility.