Genesis 29

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 29 of 50

1 And Jacob lifted his feet and went to the land of the sons of the east.

2 And he looked, and, behold, a well in the field. And, behold, three flocks of sheep were lying by it; for from that well they watered the flocks, and the stone on the mouth of the well was great.

3 And all the flocks were usually gathered there, and they rolled the stone off the mouth of the well and watered the sheep, and replaced the stone on the mouth of the well, to its place.

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Chapter Summary

1 Jacob comes to the well of Haran. 9 He meets Rachel. 13 Laban entertains him. 18 Rachel is promised to Jacob. 23 He is deceived with Leah. 30 He marries Rachel also. 32 Leah bears Reuben, 33 Simeon, 34 Levi, 35 and Judah.

Key Hebrew Words

עָבַד serve H5647 · TWOT 1553
אָהֵב love H157 · TWOT 29
רָמָה deceive, trick H7411 · TWOT 2168
מַשְׂכֹּ֫רֶת wages H4909 · TWOT 2264.1d
בְּאֵר well H875 · TWOT 194a
יָלַד bear (a child) H3205 · TWOT 867

People & Context

Jacob

Arrives at Haran's well, rolls away the stone for Rachel, and serves Laban seven years for her.

Laban

Rachel's father and Jacob's uncle; deceives Jacob by giving Leah first, exacting another seven years' service.

Rachel

Laban's younger daughter, beautiful and beloved by Jacob; meets him at the well but remains barren here.

Leah

Laban's older, weak-eyed daughter, secretly wed to Jacob; hated, but Jehovah opens her womb for four sons.

Jehovah

Sees that Leah is hated and opens her womb, while Rachel stays barren.

Zilpah

Laban's slave-girl given to Leah as a maidservant at her marriage.

Timeline

Jacob Meets Rachel

Jacob continues his journey eastward and comes to a well where flocks are watered. He sees Rachel, Laban's daughter, approaching with her father's sheep (she is a shepherdess). Jacob rolls the heavy stone from the well's mouth and waters Laban's sheep.

Genesis 29:1-10
Jacob's Love for Rachel and Service to Laban

Jacob kisses Rachel, weeps, and tells her he is her father's brother, Rebekah's son. Rachel runs and tells Laban, who embraces Jacob. Jacob lives with Laban for a month. Jacob loves Rachel and agrees to serve Laban seven years for her hand.

Genesis 29:11-20
Jacob is Deceived with Leah

After seven years, Jacob asks for Rachel. Laban gathers all the men and makes a feast. In the evening, Laban brings Leah, his older daughter (who has weak eyes, unlike beautiful Rachel), to Jacob. Jacob lies with her. Laban gives Zilpah, his slave-girl, to Leah.

Genesis 29:21-24

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