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Genesis Chapter Twenty-Nine

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

Jacob Went to the House of His Mother’s Brother Laban

A.  Jacob chanced upon Rachel near the well (v.1-12);

B.  Laban accepted Jacob (v.13-14);

C.  Jacob and Laban talked about the condition of marrying Rachel (v.15-20);

D.  Laban cheated Jacob and gave him Leah instead of Rachel (v.21-26);

E.  Jacob served Laban more seven years for the purpose of taking Rachel as his wife (v.27-30);

F.  Leah was unloved and yet bore four sons (v.31-35);

 

II. Verse by Verse Commentary

 

Gen. 29:1So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East.

YLT: “And Jacob lifteth up his feet and goeth towards the land of the sons of the east;”

Literal Meaning: so Jacob went on his journey” it was inferred that Jacob made the journey on foot not by camel (see 32:10).

“And came to the land of the people of the East “the East”: it was a common name for the Syrians so “the land of the people of the East” referred to the wilderness near Haran.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) The common people often make the mistake of saying without doing. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17 26).

  2) The way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23). Let us learn from Jacob and commit the way before us to God through prayer (see 28:20) so that we will also arrive at our destination peacefully like him.

 

Gen. 29:2And he looked and saw a well in the field; and behold there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well’s mouth.

YLT: “and he looketh and lo a well in the field and lo there three droves of a flock crouching by it for from that well they water the droves and the great stone on the mouth of the well.”

Literal Meaning: “field”: it was the uncultivated “land” for shepherding the flocks of the sheep (see 31:4);

  A large stone was on the well’s mouth” the large stone could probably be rolled away by several men together which was set there to prevent someone from arriving ahead to draw water. Otherwise the water would not be enough to those who came later. Meanwhile it was also good to shepherdesses who were physically weak (see v.8).

  This chapter mentions “the stone” many times which seems to respond to that stone in Bethel in chapter twenty-eight (see 28:11 18 22). The stone in Bethel remembered that Jacob met God there and this stone became the medium through which Jacob met Rachel.

 

Gen. 29:3Now all the flocks would be gathered there; and they would roll the stone from the well’s mouth water the sheep and put the stone back in its place on the well’s mouth.

YLT: “(When thither have all the droves been gathered and they have rolled the stone from off the mouth of the well and have watered the flock then they have turned back the stone on the mouth of the well to its place.)”

Literal Meaning: at that time people covered the well with stones for probably three reasons:

1.    Do not let others draw water easily.

2.    Prevent the dusts from entering in the well.

3.    Prevent the sheep from falling into the well.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) People generally pay attention to only how to get and use the implement but ignore to put it back to its position. We believers shall do everything well from beginning to end with order.

  2) There is spring of living water of life in believers (see John 7:38) but is often stopped by our natural life. Therefore the flesh should be put to death so that the living water will flow out to provide men.

 

Gen. 29:4And Jacob said to them “My brethren where are you from?” And they said “We are from Haran.”

YLT: “And Jacob saith to them `My brethren from whence ye?' and they say `We from Haran.'”

Literal Meaning: Jacob called them “brethren”. Note that the word “brethren” is mentioned for many times in this chapter showing that Jacob had realized the importance of “brethren” after the experience in chapter twenty-eight.

 

Gen. 29:5Then he said to them “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” And they said “We know him.”

YLT: “And he saith to them `Have ye known Laban son of Nahor?' and they say `We have known.'”

Meaning of Words: “son”: the male descendant;

 

Gen. 29:6So he said to them “Is he well?” And they said “He is well. And look his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.”

YLT: “And he saith to them `Hath he peace?' and they say `Peace; and lo Rachel his daughter is coming with the flock.'”

Meaning of Words: Rachel”: lamb female sheep;

Literal Meaning: it was common in the Middle East that females shepherded the flocks of sheep.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) The faithful God according to His promise to Jacob not only brought Jacob to the right place but also made it in a proper time ---- that he met Rachel.

  2) Whatever we meet it is not by accident. All the steps and experiences of men are arranged by God.

 

Gen. 29:7Then he said “Look it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go and feed them.

YLT: “And he saith `Lo the day still great not time for the cattle to be gathered; water ye the flock and go delight yourselves.'”

Literal Meaning: Jacob’s suggestion was actually proposing the shepherds to make an exception to roll the stone from the well’s mouth ahead of time so that he could recognize Rachel alone. Otherwise it would be embarrassing (see v.11).

 

Gen. 29:8But they said “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.”

YLT: “And they say `We are not able till that all the droves be gathered together and they have rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well and we have watered the flock.'”

Literal Meaning: “we cannot” it does not mean they were unable to roll the stone away from the mouth of the well but they could not disobey the appointment of shepherds.

Enlightenment in the Word: let the members have the same care for one another in the church (1Cor. 12:25) but not stick in the mud in everything so as not to block the on-going guidance of God.

 

Gen. 29:9Now while he was still speaking with them Rachel came with her father’s sheep for she was a shepherdess.

YLT: “He is yet speaking with them and Rachel hath come with the flock which her father hath for she shepherdess;”

The Background: in the Middle East both males and females were in charge of shepherding the flocks of sheep and goats (see Ex. 2:16).

 

Gen. 29:10And 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.

YLT: “and it cometh to pass when Jacob hath seen Rachel daughter of Laban his mother's brother and the flock of Laban his mother's brother that Jacob cometh nigh and rolleth the stone from off the mouth of the well and watereth the flock of Laban his mother's brother.”

Literal Meaning: that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth” Jacob did not care for the rules of shepherds (see v.8) and rolled away the stone alone to show his great strength to make him attractive to Rachel.

Enlightenment in the Word: we may not be as powerful as Jacob but let us learn from his enthusiasm and willingness to help those who are in need of help.

 

Gen. 29:11Then Jacob kissed Rachel and lifted up his voice and wept.

YLT: “And Jacob kisseth Rachel and lifteth up his voice and weepeth ”

The Background: Jacob kissed Rachel” it was a custom in the Middle East that people might be check-to-check with one another to show a kiss when they met each other.

Literal Meaning: lifted up his voice and wept” Rachel was the first relative Jacob met after went away from home. Jacob lifted up his voice and wept which indicated that he suffered a lot in his way and endured it by himself. And now he could not restrain himself any more and wept.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Many people think men should not weep and “tears are works of weak ones”. However even our Lord Jesus may sometimes cry (John 11:35; Heb. 5:7).

  2) Tears may not only express our inner emotion but also relax us and clear up our spirit.

 

Gen. 29:12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative and that he was Rebekah’s son. So she ran and told her father. “”

YLT: “and Jacob declareth to Rachel that he her father's brother and that he Rebekah's son and she runneth and declareth to her father.”

Literal Meaning: the way of Jacob’s presentation is shown to us from verse ten to twelve:

1.    Show his might strength (v.10);

2.    Offer his diligence (v.10);

3.    Reveal his identity emotionally (v.11-12);

 

Gen. 29:13Then it came to pass when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister’s son that he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things.

YLT: “And it cometh to pass when Laban heareth the report of Jacob his sister's son that he runneth to meet him and embraceth him and kisseth him and bringeth him in unto his house; and he recounteth to Laban all these things ”

The Background: it was inferred that Jacob was seventy seven when he went away from home (see 27:1 “Age Calculation”). And he was born by Rebekah after she had married for twenty years (see 25:20 26) so Laban and his mother had been kept apart for at least ninety-seven years.

Literal Meaning: so he told Laban all these things” “all these things” include his self-introduction and his identity of Rebekah’s son and his obedience to his parents’ command of sending him here to take a wife etc.

 

Gen. 29:14And Laban said to him “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him for a month.

YLT: “and Laban saith to him `Only my bone and my flesh thou;' and he dwelleth with him a month of days.”

Literal Meaning: surely you are my bone and my flesh” Jacob had many similarities by nature with Laban which proved that one’s nature is of matrilinear inheritance. God particularly arranged Laban to be the rival of Jacob. And Laban was truly the right person that could be used by God to chasten and train Jacob.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) God often chastens us through the relatives in the flesh.

  2) God often deals with man’s craftiness with crafty men and man’s covetousness with covetous men and man’s arrogance with arrogant men.

  3) If man desires to God he has to go to “Bethel” (see chap. 28). If man desires to know his nature he has to go to “Haran”.

 

Gen. 29:15Then Laban said to Jacob “Because you are my relative should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me what should your wages be?

YLT: “And Laban saith to Jacob `Is it because thou my brother that thou hast served me for nought? declare to me what thy hire.'”

Literal Meaning: should you therefore serve me for nothing” there are two explanations for it. The positive one is that Jacob was not idle in the house of Laban during the whole month but helped Laban to work all the time. The negative one is that Laban might suggest in an indirect way that though Jacob was his relative he had still to do something for Laban instead of eating for free.

“What should your wages be” probably Laban was assured that Jacob was a good helper so he desired to obtain a cheap hireling by this suggestion. We can see from Laban’s words that his mind is also a mercenary mind. As Jacob was so was Laban he met.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Whoever serves for the sake of wages serves man not God.

  2) It is better to serve God than serve man for wages given by man will become corrupted finally (see 25).

 

Gen. 29:16Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah and the name of the younger was Rachel.

YLT: “And Laban hath two daughters the name of the elder Leah and the name of the younger Rachel ”

Meaning of Words: “Leah”: weary delicate eyes cow; “Rachel”: female sheep lamb;

 

Gen. 29:17Leah’s eyes were delicate but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.

YLT: “and the eyes of Leah tender and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance.”

The Background:Leah’s eyes were delicate at that time aesthetic evaluation of females was according to the expression of eyes. Therefore the earliest cosmetics were made to make up eyes.

Literal Meaning: Leah’s eyes were delicate” her eyes were lack of vitality. The elegant and subtle expression out of eyes of young females is most attractive to males.

“But Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance “beautiful of form”: good figure; “beautiful of appearance”: beautiful countenance;

 

Gen. 29:18Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”

YLT: “And Jacob loveth Rachel and saith `I serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter:'”

The Background: according to the custom of the Middle East a daughter was the “tangible asset” of her father who had the right to decide whom her daughter would marry. And the betrothal gift was regarded as the right income of the father.

Literal Meaning: Jacob loved Rachel” it was mentioned three times in this chapter (see v.20 30). It was far beyond the common rule that Jacob suggested to labor for Laban seven years for free as the betrothal gift of marrying Rachel.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Jacob spared no expense to take Rachel whom Jacob loved as his wife. The power of love is so great that people will ignore the value of money (Song 8:7).

  2) Jacob looked upon the outward appearance (see v.17) but God looked upon the heart (1Sam. 16:7).

  3) Since God was with Jacob and had promised him Jacob was supposed to let God deal with the matter of his wife and wages instead of dealing with it according to his own interest and will. If it was so he would not fall into the trap of Laban.

 

Gen. 29:19And Laban said “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”

YLT: “and Laban saith `It is better for me to give her to thee than to give her to another man; dwell with me;'”

Literal Meaning: Laban and Jacob reached an agreement concerning the condition of marriage. And it was happy to both of them of laboring for seven years for free instead of giving betrothal gift.

 

Gen. 29:20So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.

YLT: “and Jacob serveth for Rachel seven years; and they are in his eyes as some days because of his loving her.”

Literal Meaning: the power of love makes man feel not laborious in labor and time just flies in a cheerful heart.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Love is the best motive for service. Works out of love make the burden light just as parents who take care of their children in love never feel laborious.

  2) If we pass days as if they were years because of the labor of service it shows that we do not love the Lord deep enough.

 

Gen. 29:21Then Jacob said to Laban “Give me my wife for my days are fulfilled that I may go in to her.”

YLT: “And Jacob saith unto Laban `Give up my wife for my days have been fulfilled and I go in unto her;'”

Literal Meaning: give me my wife” note that Jacob did not mention “Rachel” clearly so Laban gave him Leah on this pretext (see v.23).

 

Gen. 29:22And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast.

YLT: “and Laban gathereth all the men of the place and maketh a banquet.”

Literal Meaning: made a feast” the feast of marriage would generally lasted for seven days (see v.27-28; Judge 14:12)

 

Gen. 29:23Now it came to pass in the evening that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her.

YLT: “And it cometh to pass in the evening that he taketh Leah his daughter and bringeth her in unto him and he goeth in unto her;”

Literal Meaning: it was appointed to marry Rachel (see v.18) but now it was Leah. Laban deceived Jacob. Jacob had cheated his father and brother and now he was cheated by his relatives in the same way:

1.     When Isaac blessed Jacob he did not know it was Jacob. And when Jacob married Leah he did not know it was Leah.

2.     Jacob heard his mother’s word and cheated Isaac. And Leah heard his father’s word and cheated Jacob.

3.     Isaac unconsciously blessed Jacob who was chosen by God. And Jacob unconsciously married Leah who was chosen by God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) He who deceives will be deceived. Jacob cheated his family members before and now it was his turn to be deceived.

  2) Jacob deceived his old father whose eyes were dim but he never expected that his eyes might be also dim in darkness. Whatever a man sows that he will also reap (Gal. 6:7).

  3) God makes the cunning Jacob meet Laban and allows Jacob to be cheated by serious unrighteousness. However it is the hand of God’s discipline for Jacob’s profit.

 

Gen. 29:24And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid.

YLT: “and Laban giveth to her Zilpah his maid-servant to Leah his daughter a maid-servant.”

Meaning of Words: Zilpah”: fall drop;

 

Gen. 29:25So it came to pass in the morning that behold it was Leah. And he said to Laban “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”

YLT: “And it cometh to pass in the morning that lo it Leah; and he saith unto Laban `What this thou hast done to me? for Rachel have I not served with thee? and why hast thou deceived me?'”

Literal Meaning: Jacob took the birthright with a stew (see 25:29-34). Now he was deceived to take the firstborn daughter as his wife with seven-year labor (see v.27).

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Works done in darkness will be exposed in light (Eph. 5:12-13).

  2) Jacob deceived others but was unwilling to be deceived. Let us be considerate of others in our walking ---- if people also do it accordingly on us will we be ready to accept it?

 

Gen. 29:26And Laban said “It must not be done so in our country to give the younger before the firstborn.

YLT: “And Laban saith `It is not done so in our place to give the younger before the first-born;”

Literal Meaning: Laban made an excuse with the custom at that time. Though his reason was legal he did not tell Jacob earlier.

Enlightenment in the Word: it was also a kind of lie of speaking “right” words in a “wrong” time ---- conceal something when it should be disclosed and reveal it till things happen.

 

Gen. 29:27Fulfill her week and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”

YLT: “fulfil the week of this one and we give to thee also this one for the service which thou dost serve with me yet seven other years.'”

Literal Meaning: “fulfill her week after the seven-day feast of marriage;

“And we will give you this one also” it was an example of Laban’s miserliness that he set only one feast for his two daughters.

“For the service which you will serve with me still another seven years” Laban’s craftiness lay in that he knew that Jacob would not serve him another seven years for the sake of Leah. Therefore by this way he took advantage of Jacob for another seven years. 

 

Gen. 29:28Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also.

YLT: “And Jacob doth so and fulfilleth the week of this one and he giveth to him Rachel his daughter to him for a wife;”

Literal Meaning: so he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also” it happened before the second seven years during which Jacob served with Laban.

 

Gen. 29:29And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid.

YLT: “and Laban giveth to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his maid-servant for a maid-servant to her.”

Meaning of Words: Bilhah”: timid shy gentle;

 

Gen. 29:30Then Jacob also went in to Rachel and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

YLT: “And he goeth in also unto Rachel and he also loveth Rachel more than Leah; and he serveth with him yet seven other years.”

Meaning of Words: “more than”: excel in surpass;

 

Gen. 29:31When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

YLT: “And Jehovah seeth that Leah the hated one and He openeth her womb and Rachel barren;”

Literal Meaning: Leah was unloved” according to the original Hebrew it was Leah was hated. That is an expression of “contrast” which means that Jacob loved Rachel much more than Leah. Later it was ruled in the law of Moses that one shall not take a woman as a rival to her sister while the others is alive (Lev. 18:18).

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) God loves to give favor to those who are despised and afflicted and poor and give more abundant honor to that lacked (1Cor. 12:24).

  2) Life is a gift from God. Besides the cooperation of the husband and wife the most important thing for the birth of a life is that it is of the will of God.

 

Gen. 29:32So Leah conceived and bore a son and she called his name Reuben; for she said “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore my husband will love me.”

YLT: “and Leah conceiveth and beareth a son and calleth his name Reuben for she said `Because Jehovah hath looked on mine affliction; because now doth my husband love me.'”

Meaning of Words: Reuben”: bohold a son;

Literal Meaning: it showed that when Reuben was born Leah was in great affliction for she was unloved.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Partiality is the main reason for the disharmony among family members.

  2) God has seen all the afflictions we have suffered. He knows all our situations.

 

Gen. 29:33Then she conceived again and bore a son and said “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.

YLT: “And she conceiveth again and beareth a son and saith `Because Jehovah hath heard that I the hated one He also giveth to me even this ;' and she calleth his name Simeon.”

Meaning of Words: Simeon”: hear;

Literal Meaning: this verse shows that Leah felt that God had heard his painful voice.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) God has heard all the groans of believers before Him.

  2) When Leah gave his children names she did not emphasize his affliction and condition of being in disfavor but that God had seen and heard her. Her positive attitude is worthy of imitation.

 

Gen. 29:34She conceived again and bore a son and said “Now this time my husband will become attached to me because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.

YLT: “And she conceiveth again and beareth a son and saith `Now the time my husband is joined unto me because I have born to him three sons ' therefore hath called his name Levi.”

Meaning of Words: “Levi”: union;

Literal Meaning: this verse indicated us that Leah longed for the removal of the cold conjugal relation between her and Jacob.

Enlightenment in the Word:

  1) Leah did not unlove Jacob because of the partial treatment. Her positive attitude of yearning for the improvement of the conjugal relation is truly a good example to Christian wives.

  2) “This time my husband will become attached to me” that the husband and wife shall become one flesh symbolizes the relation between Christ and the church ---- this is a great mystery (Eph. 5:31-32). Saints who have been married shall learn from the marriage life that how Christ loves the church and how shall the church make Christ satisfied.

 

Gen. 29:35And she conceived again and bore a son and said “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

YLT: “And she conceiveth again and beareth a son and saith this time `I praise Jehovah;' therefore hath she called his name Judah; and she ceaseth from bearing.”

Meaning of Words: Judah”: praise;

Literal Meaning: this verse shows that Leah would keep a positive attitude toward her relation with Jacob.

Enlightenment in the Word: Christ is out of “Judah” (see Matt. Chapt.1 the genealogy of Christ). As long as we can manifest Christ no matter what situation we are in let us praise God with joy.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Services of the Lord’s Workers in the Lord

A.  There were three flocks of sheep lying by it (v.2) ---- there are flocks of sheep of the Lord in the church who need to be fed (see John 21:15-17);

B.  A large stone was on the well’s mouth (v.2) ---- man’s stubbornness by nature hinders the provision of spiritual food;

C.  The shepherds would not roll the stone from the well’s mouth until all the flocks are gathered together (v.8) ---- the common workers of the Lord are ready to give regular spiritual food;

D.  Jacob saw the need and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth (v.10) ---- the faithful workers are willing to give at any time;

E.  Jacob did the work that required several men (v.10) ---- one gifted worker is worth several ones;

F.   Serve for the sake of love not wages (v.15-20) ---- the workers who have love do not serve for the sake of wages;

G.  God gave favor especially to those who are despised (v.31-35) ---- workers who have insight and prudence are enabled to serve according to the will of God;

H.  Bear sons (v.31-35) ---- service is for the purpose of bearing children concerning the gospel and making them increase;

 

Names of the First Four Sons of Leah

A.  Reuben (v.3) ---- God has “seen” my affliction.

B.  Simeon (v.3) ---- God has “heard” of my being unloved.

C.  Levi (v.3) ---- my husband will become attached to me and we “will become one flesh”.

D.  Judah (v.3) ---- I will “praise” God.

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

Translated by Mary Zhou