Focused Passage

Genesis 29:15-30

The LORD Brings Jacob to Laban, Exposes Him Through Reversal, and Begins Building the Covenant Family Through Leah and Rachel

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

15Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

16Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.

17Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

18Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”

19Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.”

20So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

21Finally Jacob said to Laban, “Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her.”

22So Laban invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast.

23But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her.

24And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.

25When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?”

26Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.

27Finish this week’s celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work.”

28And Jacob did just that. He finished the week’s celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife.

29Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.

30Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 15

Original words

Labanלָבָן֙H3837Noun - proper - masculine singularsaidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularto himלְיַעֲקֹ֔בH3290Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularJust becauseהֲכִי־H3588Conjunctionyou areאַ֔תָּהH859Pronoun - second person masculine singularmy relativeאָחִ֣יH251Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singularshould you workוַעֲבַדְתַּ֖נִיH5647Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singularfor nothingחִנָּ֑םH2600AdverbTellהַגִּ֥ידָהH5046Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singularmeלִּ֖יPreposition | first person common singularwhatמַה־H4100Interrogativeyour wages should beמַּשְׂכֻּרְתֶּֽךָ׃H4909Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Verse 16

Original words

Now Labanוּלְלָבָ֖ןH3837Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularhad twoשְׁתֵּ֣יH8147Number - feminine dual constructdaughtersבָנ֑וֹתH1323Noun - feminine pluralthe olderהַגְּדֹלָה֙H1419Article | Adjective - feminine singularwas namedשֵׁ֤םH8034Noun - masculine singular constructLeahלֵאָ֔הH3812Noun - proper - feminine singularand the youngerהַקְּטַנָּ֖הH6996Article | Adjective - feminine singularwas namedוְשֵׁ֥םH8034Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructRachelרָחֵֽל׃H7354Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 17

Original words

Leahלֵאָ֖הH3812Noun - proper - feminine singularhad weakרַכּ֑וֹתH7390Adjective - feminine pluraleyesוְעֵינֵ֥יH5869Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdcbut Rachelוְרָחֵל֙H7354Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singularwasהָֽיְתָ֔הH1961Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singularshapelyיְפַת־H3303Adjective - feminine singular construct. . .תֹּ֖אַרH8389Noun - masculine singularand beautifulוִיפַ֥תH3303Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular construct. . .מַרְאֶֽה׃H4758Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Or had delicate eyes
Verse 18

Original words

Since Jacobיַעֲקֹ֖בH3290Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerlovedוַיֶּאֱהַ֥בH157Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularRachelרָחֵ֑לH7354Noun - proper - feminine singularhe answeredוַיֹּ֗אמֶרH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularI will serveאֶֽעֱבָדְךָ֙H5647Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singularyou sevenשֶׁ֣בַעH7651Number - feminine singularyearsשָׁנִ֔יםH8141Noun - feminine pluralfor your youngerהַקְּטַנָּֽה׃H6996Article | Adjective - feminine singulardaughterבִּתְּךָ֖H1323Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singularRachelבְּרָחֵ֥לH7354Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 19

Original words

Labanלָבָ֗ןH3837Noun - proper - masculine singularrepliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularBetterט֚וֹבH2896Adjective - masculine singularthat I giveתִּתִּ֣יH5414Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singularherאֹתָ֣הּH853Direct object marker | third person feminine singularto youלָ֔ךְPreposition | second person feminine singularthanמִתִּתִּ֥יH5414Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular-אֹתָ֖הּH853Direct object marker | third person feminine singular-לְאִ֣ישׁH376Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singularto anotherאַחֵ֑רH312Adjective - masculine singularStay hereשְׁבָ֖הH3427Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singularwith meעִמָּדִֽי׃H5978Preposition | first person common singular
Verse 20

Original words

So Jacobיַעֲקֹ֛בH3290Noun - proper - masculine singularservedוַיַּעֲבֹ֧דH5647Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularsevenשֶׁ֣בַעH7651Number - feminine singularyearsשָׁנִ֑יםH8141Noun - feminine pluralfor Rachelבְּרָחֵ֖לH7354Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singularyet it seemedוַיִּהְי֤וּH1961Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralבְעֵינָיו֙בְעֵינָיו֙H5869Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular[but] a fewאֲחָדִ֔יםH259Number - masculine pluraldaysכְּיָמִ֣יםH3117Preposition-k | Noun - masculine pluralbecause of his loveבְּאַהֲבָת֖וֹH160Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularfor herאֹתָֽהּ׃H853Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Verse 21

Original words

Finally Jacobיַעֲקֹ֤בH3290Noun - proper - masculine singularsaidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singulartoאֶל־H413PrepositionLabanלָבָן֙H3837Noun - proper - masculine singularGrantהָבָ֣הH3051Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singularmeאֶת־H853Direct object markermy wifeאִשְׁתִּ֔יH802Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularforכִּ֥יH3588Conjunctionmy timeיָמָ֑יH3117Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singularis completeמָלְא֖וּH4390Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluraland I want to sleep withוְאָב֖וֹאָהH935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singularherאֵלֶֽיהָ׃H413Preposition | third person feminine singular
Verse 22

Original words

-וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ףH622Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularSo Labanלָבָ֛ןH3837Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerinvited allכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe menאַנְשֵׁ֥יH582Noun - masculine plural constructof that placeהַמָּק֖וֹםH4725Article | Noun - masculine singularand preparedוַיַּ֥עַשׂH6213Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singulara feastמִשְׁתֶּֽה׃H4960Noun - masculine singular
Verse 23

Original words

But whenוַיְהִ֣יH1961Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularevening cameבָעֶ֔רֶבH6153Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularLaban tookוַיִּקַּח֙H3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerhis daughterבִתּ֔וֹH1323Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularLeahלֵאָ֣הH3812Noun - proper - feminine singularand gaveוַיָּבֵ֥אH935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularherאֹתָ֖הּH853Direct object marker | third person feminine singularto Jacobאֵלָ֑יוH413Preposition | third person masculine singularand he slept withוַיָּבֹ֖אH935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularherאֵלֶֽיהָ׃H413Preposition | third person feminine singular
Verse 24

Original words

And Labanלָבָן֙H3837Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markergaveוַיִּתֵּ֤ןH5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularhis servant girlשִׁפְחָת֑וֹH8198Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularZilpahזִלְפָּ֖הH2153Noun - proper - feminine singularto his daughterבִתּ֖וֹH1323Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularLeahלְלֵאָ֥הH3812Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singularas her maidservantשִׁפְחָֽה׃H8198Noun - feminine singular
Verse 25

Original words

When morningבַבֹּ֔קֶרH1242Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularcameוַיְהִ֣יH1961Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularthereוְהִנֵּה־H2009Conjunctive waw | Interjection. . .הִ֖ואH1931Pronoun - third person feminine singularwas Leahלֵאָ֑הH3812Noun - proper - feminine singularWhatמַה־H4100Interrogative. . .זֹּאת֙H2063Pronoun - feminine singularhave you doneעָשִׂ֣יתָH6213Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularto meלִּ֔יPreposition | first person common singularJacob saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singulartoאֶל־H413PrepositionLabanלָבָ֗ןH3837Noun - proper - masculine singularWasn’tהֲלֹ֤אH3808Adverb - Negative particleit for Rachelבְרָחֵל֙H7354Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singularthat I servedעָבַ֣דְתִּיH5647Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularyouעִמָּ֔ךְH5973Preposition | second person feminine singularWhyוְלָ֖מָּהH4100Conjunctive waw | Interrogativehave you deceived meרִמִּיתָֽנִי׃H7411Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Verse 26

Original words

Labanלָבָ֔ןH3837Noun - proper - masculine singularrepliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularIt is notלֹא־H3808Adverb - Negative particleour customיֵעָשֶׂ֥הH6213Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular. . .כֵ֖ןH3651Adverbhereבִּמְקוֹמֵ֑נוּH4725Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common pluralto give the younger daughterהַצְּעִירָ֖הH6810Article | Adjective - feminine singularin marriageלָתֵ֥תH5414Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructbeforeלִפְנֵ֥יH6440Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe olderהַבְּכִירָֽה׃H1067Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Verse 27

Original words

Finishמַלֵּ֖אH4390Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singularthisזֹ֑אתH2063Pronoun - feminine singularweek’s celebrationשְׁבֻ֣עַH7620Noun - masculine singular construct. . .גַּם־H1571Conjunction-אֶת־H853Direct object markerand we will giveוְנִתְּנָ֨הH5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common pluralyouלְךָ֜Preposition | second person masculine singularthe younger oneזֹ֗אתH2063Pronoun - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁ֣רH834Pronoun - relativein return forתַּעֲבֹ֣דH5647Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularvvvע֖וֹדH5750Adverbanotherאֲחֵרֽוֹת׃H312Adjective - feminine pluralsevenשֶֽׁבַע־H7651Number - feminine singularyearsשָׁנִ֥יםH8141Noun - feminine plural-עִמָּדִ֔יH5978Preposition | first person common singularof workבַּעֲבֹדָה֙H5656Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 28

Original words

And Jacobיַעֲקֹב֙H3290Noun - proper - masculine singulardidוַיַּ֤עַשׂH6213Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularjust thatכֵּ֔ןH3651AdverbHe finishedוַיְמַלֵּ֖אH4390Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularthe week’s celebrationשְׁבֻ֣עַH7620Noun - masculine singular construct. . .זֹ֑אתH2063Pronoun - feminine singularand Laban gaveוַיִּתֶּן־H5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular. . .ל֛וֹPreposition | third person masculine singularhimאֶת־H853Direct object markerhis daughterבִּתּ֖וֹH1323Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular-ל֥וֹPreposition | third person masculine singularRachelרָחֵ֥לH7354Noun - proper - feminine singularas his wifeלְאִשָּֽׁה׃H802Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 29

Original words

Laban alsoלָבָן֙H3837Noun - proper - masculine singulargaveוַיִּתֵּ֤ןH5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularhis servant girlשִׁפְחָת֑וֹH8198Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularBilhahבִּלְהָ֖הH1090Noun - proper - feminine singularto his daughterבִּתּ֔וֹH1323Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerRachelלְרָחֵ֣לH7354Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singularas herלָ֖הּPreposition | third person feminine singularmaidservantלְשִׁפְחָֽה׃H8198Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 30

Original words

Jacob slept withוַיָּבֹא֙H935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular. . .אֶל־H413PrepositionRachelרָחֵ֔לH7354Noun - proper - feminine singularas wellגַּ֣םH1571Conjunctionand indeedגַּֽם־H1571Conjunction-אֶת־H853Direct object markerhe lovedוַיֶּאֱהַ֥בH157Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularRachelרָחֵ֖לH7354Noun - proper - feminine singularmore than Leahמִלֵּאָ֑הH3812Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singularSo he workedוַיַּעֲבֹ֣דH5647Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularforעִמּ֔וֹH5973Preposition | third person masculine singularLabanע֖וֹדH5750Adverbanotherאֲחֵרֽוֹת׃H312Adjective - feminine pluralsevenשֶֽׁבַע־H7651Number - feminine singularyearsשָׁנִ֥יםH8141Noun - feminine plural

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