Bible Commentaries
Genesis 29

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 29:1, Jacob comes to the well of Haran; Genesis 29:9, He becomes acquainted with Rachel; Genesis 29:13, Laban entertains him; Genesis 29:18, Jacob covenants for Rachel; Genesis 29:23, He is deceived by Laban with Leah; Genesis 29:28, He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more; Genesis 29:32, Leah bears Reuben; Genesis 29:33, Simeon; Genesis 29:34, Levi; Genesis 29:35, and Judah.

Verse 1

Jacob: Psalms 119:32, Psalms 119:60, Ecclesiastes 9:7

went on his journey: Heb. lifted up his feet

came: Genesis 22:20-23, Genesis 24:10, Genesis 25:20, Genesis 28:5-7, Numbers 23:7, Judges 6:3, Judges 6:33, Judges 7:12, Judges 8:10, 1 Kings 4:30, Hosea 12:12

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.

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:2 - Padanaram Genesis 46:8 - the names Job 1:3 - of the east Ezekiel 25:4 - of the east

Verse 2

a well: Genesis 24:11, Genesis 24:13, Exodus 2:15, Exodus 2:16, John 4:6, John 4:14

there: Psalms 23:2, Song of Solomon 1:6, Song of Solomon 1:7, Isaiah 49:10, Revelation 7:17

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.

Verse 3

the flocks: Instead of haadarim, "the flocks," the Samaritan reads haroim, "the shepherds," as does also the Arabic in Walton's Polyglott. This verse describes what was usually done by some mutual compact among the shepherds, and shows the purpose for which the flocks lay by the well; for the stone was not removed till all the flocks had been collected. Scott. Genesis 29:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:8 - until

Verse 4

Of Haran: Genesis 11:31, Genesis 24:10, Genesis 27:43, Genesis 28:10, Acts 7:2, Acts 7:4, Charran

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:26 - Abram 2 Kings 19:12 - Haran Isaiah 37:12 - Haran

Verse 5

son of: Genesis 24:24, Genesis 24:29, Genesis 31:53

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:26 - Abram Genesis 11:31 - Haran Genesis 24:10 - city

Verse 6

Is he well: Heb. there peace to him, Genesis 37:14, Genesis 43:27, Exodus 18:7, 1 Samuel 17:22, 1 Samuel 25:5, 2 Samuel 20:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:17 - Rachel Exodus 2:16 - they came 2 Samuel 11:7 - how Joab did 2 Kings 4:26 - Is it well with thee

Verse 7

Lo: Galatians 6:9, Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 5:16

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

Verse 8

until: Genesis 29:3, Genesis 34:14, Genesis 43:32

roll: Mark 16:3, Luke 24:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:25 - reproved

Verse 9

Rachel: Genesis 24:15, Exodus 2:15, Exodus 2:16, Exodus 2:21, Song of Solomon 1:7, Song of Solomon 1:8

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.

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:13 - daughters Proverbs 31:13 - worketh

Verse 10

rolled: Exodus 2:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:13 - daughters Exodus 2:19 - and also Proverbs 31:13 - worketh

Verse 11

kissed: Genesis 29:13, Genesis 27:26, Genesis 33:4, Genesis 43:30, Genesis 45:2, Genesis 45:14, Genesis 45:15, Exodus 4:27, Exodus 18:7, Romans 16:16

and wept: Genesis 33:4, Genesis 43:30, Genesis 45:2, Genesis 45:14, Genesis 45:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:16 - lift Ruth 1:9 - she kissed 1 Samuel 20:41 - and they kissed Song of Solomon 1:2 - him Luke 7:45 - gavest

Verse 12

brother: Genesis 13:8, Genesis 14:14-16

and she: Genesis 24:28

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:14 - art my

Verse 13

tidings: Heb. hearing

he ran: Genesis 24:29

kissed: Genesis 45:15, Exodus 4:27, Exodus 18:7, 2 Samuel 19:39, Luke 7:45, Acts 20:37, Romans 16:16

all these: Colossians 4:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:11 - kissed Genesis 31:28 - kiss Exodus 2:20 - call him 1 Samuel 20:41 - and they kissed

Verse 14

art my: Genesis 29:12, Genesis 29:15, Genesis 2:23, Genesis 13:8, Judges 9:2, 2 Samuel 5:1, 2 Samuel 19:12, 2 Samuel 19:13, Micah 7:5, Ephesians 5:30

the space of a month: Heb. a month of days

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:27 - he is our Genesis 41:1 - two full years 1 Chronicles 11:1 - Behold Romans 9:3 - my kinsmen 1 Timothy 6:10 - and pierced

Verse 15

tell me: Genesis 30:28, Genesis 31:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:14 - art my Genesis 31:15 - sold us Judges 9:3 - our brother

Verse 16

was Leah: Genesis 29:17, Genesis 29:25-32, Genesis 30:19, Genesis 31:4, Genesis 33:2, Genesis 35:23, Genesis 46:15, Genesis 49:31, Ruth 4:11

Verse 17

Rachel: Genesis 29:6-12, Genesis 29:18, Genesis 30:1, Genesis 30:2, Genesis 30:22, Genesis 35:19, Genesis 35:20, Genesis 35:24, Genesis 46:19-22, Genesis 48:7, 1 Samuel 10:2, Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:18

beautiful: Genesis 12:11, Genesis 24:16, Genesis 39:6, Proverbs 31:30

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:16 - was Leah

Verse 18

loved: Genesis 29:20, Genesis 29:30

I will serve: In ancient times, it was a custom among many nations to give dowries for their wives; but Jacob, being poor, offered for Rachel seven year's service. Genesis 31:41, Genesis 34:12, Exodus 22:16, Exodus 22:17, 2 Samuel 3:14, Hosea 3:2, Hosea 12:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:17 - Rachel Genesis 29:21 - my days Genesis 44:27 - General Genesis 46:19 - Rachel Deuteronomy 21:11 - desire Deuteronomy 21:15 - two wives Ruth 4:10 - have I 1 Samuel 18:20 - loved David 1 Samuel 18:25 - dowry 2 Samuel 13:1 - loved her

Verse 19

Psalms 12:2, Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah 6:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:26 - my wives Genesis 30:28 - General Ruth 4:10 - have I Jeremiah 29:6 - take wives

Verse 20

am 2251, bc 1753

served: Genesis 30:26, Hosea 12:12

for the love: Genesis 24:67, Song of Solomon 8:6, Song of Solomon 8:7, 1 Corinthians 13:7, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Ephesians 5:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:18 - loved Genesis 29:21 - my days Genesis 29:27 - we will Genesis 29:30 - he loved Genesis 34:19 - because Deuteronomy 21:15 - two wives Judges 16:15 - when thine 1 Samuel 18:20 - loved David 2 Samuel 13:1 - loved her Proverbs 18:22 - findeth a wife Song of Solomon 5:2 - my head 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - and labour

Verse 21

Give me: Matthew 1:18

my days: Genesis 29:18, Genesis 29:20, Genesis 31:41

go in: Genesis 4:1, Genesis 38:16, Judges 15:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:22 - his two wives Deuteronomy 22:13 - General Deuteronomy 22:24 - he hath humbled Judges 14:8 - to take her Proverbs 18:22 - findeth a wife

Verse 22

and made: Judges 14:10-18, Ruth 4:10-13, Matthew 22:2-10, Matthew 25:1-10, John 2:1-10, Revelation 19:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:8 - feast Genesis 29:28 - fulfilled her week Esther 2:18 - made a great Mark 2:19 - Can

Verse 23

brought her: Genesis 24:65, Genesis 38:14, Genesis 38:15, Micah 7:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:19 - I am Deuteronomy 22:13 - General 1 Samuel 1:2 - two

Verse 24

Zilpah: Genesis 16:1, Genesis 24:59, Genesis 30:9-12, Genesis 46:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:29 - Bilhah Genesis 31:14 - yet any

Verse 25

in the morning: 1 Corinthians 3:13

wherefore: Genesis 27:35, Genesis 27:36, Judges 1:7, Proverbs 11:31, Matthew 7:2, Matthew 7:12, John 21:17, Revelation 3:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:16 - was Leah Joshua 9:22 - Wherefore

Verse 26

country: Heb. place, Genesis 29:26

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:18 - for this 1 Timothy 6:10 - and pierced

Verse 27

week: Genesis 2:2, Genesis 2:3, Genesis 8:10-12, Leviticus 18:18, Judges 14:10, Judges 14:12, Malachi 2:15, 1 Timothy 6:10

we will: Genesis 29:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 7:4 - For Genesis 31:15 - sold us Ruth 4:10 - have I

Verse 28

fulfilled her week: The public marriage feast made on this occasion, seems to have formed the regular method of recognising the marriage, and lasted seven days: it would therefore have been improper to have broken off the solemnities to which all the men of the place had been invited - Genesis 29:22 and probably Laban wished to keep the fraud from the public eye. It is perfectly plain that Jacob did not serve seven years more before he got Rachel to wife. Genesis 29:28

Reciprocal: Genesis 7:4 - For Genesis 44:27 - General Leviticus 18:18 - wife Judges 14:12 - the seven Proverbs 18:22 - findeth a wife

Verse 29

Bilhah: Genesis 29:24, Genesis 30:3-8, Genesis 35:22, Genesis 35:25, Genesis 37:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:14 - yet any Genesis 46:25 - Bilhah

Verse 30

he loved: Genesis 29:20, Genesis 29:31, Genesis 44:20, Genesis 44:27, Deuteronomy 21:15, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 10:37, Luke 14:26, John 12:25

served: Genesis 29:18, Genesis 30:25, Genesis 30:26, Genesis 31:15, Genesis 31:41, 1 Samuel 18:17-27, Hosea 12:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:2 - Rachel 1 Samuel 1:5 - he loved Malachi 1:3 - hated

Verse 31

saw: Exodus 3:7

was hated: Genesis 29:30, Genesis 27:41, Deuteronomy 21:15, Malachi 1:3, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 10:37, Luke 14:26, John 12:25

he opened: Genesis 16:1, Genesis 20:18, Genesis 21:1, Genesis 21:2, Genesis 25:21, Genesis 30:1, Genesis 30:2, Genesis 30:22, Judges 13:2, Judges 13:3, 1 Samuel 1:5, 1 Samuel 1:20, 1 Samuel 1:27, 1 Samuel 2:21, Psalms 127:3, Luke 1:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:30 - barren Genesis 20:17 - General Genesis 30:23 - General Genesis 35:22 - Now the sons Exodus 1:1 - General Deuteronomy 22:13 - General Ruth 4:13 - the Lord Job 3:10 - it shut not Acts 7:8 - and Jacob Romans 9:13 - hated 1 Timothy 6:10 - and pierced

Verse 32

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his name: Genesis 35:22, Genesis 37:21, Genesis 37:22, Genesis 37:29, Genesis 42:22, Genesis 42:27, Genesis 46:8, Genesis 46:9, Genesis 49:3, Genesis 49:4, 1 Chronicles 5:1

Reuben: that is, see a son

looked: Exodus 3:7, Exodus 4:31, Deuteronomy 26:7, 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 1:20, 2 Samuel 16:12, Psalms 25:18, Psalms 106:44, Luke 1:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:20 - Adam Genesis 16:11 - shalt Genesis 30:6 - God Genesis 31:42 - hath seen Genesis 35:23 - General Genesis 41:52 - called he Genesis 42:13 - Thy servants Genesis 46:15 - Leah Numbers 1:5 - Elizur Numbers 1:20 - General Numbers 26:5 - the eldest Numbers 32:1 - the children Deuteronomy 27:13 - Reuben Deuteronomy 33:9 - I have not Ruth 4:11 - Rachel 1 Chronicles 2:1 - Reuben 1 Chronicles 5:18 - Reuben Isaiah 7:14 - shall call Ezekiel 48:6 - Reuben Matthew 1:2 - Jacob begat

Verse 33

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Because: Genesis 30:6, Genesis 30:8, Genesis 30:18, Genesis 30:20

called: Genesis 34:25, Genesis 34:30, Genesis 35:23, Genesis 42:24, Genesis 49:5, Genesis 49:6

Simeon: that is, Hearing

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:11 - hath Genesis 46:10 - Simeon Numbers 1:22 - General Numbers 12:2 - And the Deuteronomy 21:15 - two wives Deuteronomy 27:12 - Simeon Judges 1:3 - Simeon 2 Samuel 16:12 - the Lord Ezekiel 48:24 - Simeon Romans 9:13 - hated

Verse 34

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was: Genesis 34:25, Genesis 35:23, Genesis 46:11, Genesis 49:5-7, Exodus 2:1, Exodus 32:26-29, Deuteronomy 33:8-10

Levi: that is, joined, Numbers 18:2-4

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:20 - now will 1 Chronicles 6:38 - Levi 1 Chronicles 6:47 - Levi Revelation 7:7 - Levi

Verse 35

am 2255, bc 1749

called: Genesis 35:26, Genesis 38:1-30, Genesis 43:8, Genesis 43:9, Genesis 44:18-34, Genesis 46:12, Genesis 49:8-12, Deuteronomy 33:7, 1 Chronicles 5:2, Matthew 1:2

Judah: that is, Praise

left bearing: Heb. stood from bearing, Genesis 49:8, That is, for a time; for she had several children afterwards. - See note on Genesis 30:17, and following.

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:9 - left Numbers 1:26 - General Ruth 4:14 - Blessed Ezekiel 48:7 - Judah Hosea 12:12 - Jacob Luke 3:33 - of Juda