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Genesis 29

35 verses

TL;DR

Jacob arrives in Haran, falls in love with Laban's daughter Rachel, and negotiates a seven-year servitude to marry her, only to be deceived into marrying Leah first.

Summary

Jacob, after a long journey, finds a well in Haran where sheep are watered by Laban's flock. He meets Rachel, Laban's daughter, and falls in love, negotiating a seven‑year service for her hand. Laban agrees, but deceives Jacob by giving him Leah first, the elder daughter, and later Rachel after another seven years. The LORD sees Leah's distress and enables her to bear children while Rachel remains barren. Leah's sons Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah are born, each with a name reflecting God's response to her situation.

Outline
  1. Jacob’s arrival in Haran and encounter with Laban’s flocks and Rachel
  2. Negotiation and deception over marriage: Leah first, Rachel later
  3. Leah’s fertility and the birth of her four sons
Themes
Deception and the cost of broken agreementsLove and perseverance in the pursuit of a desired spouseGod’s providence in human suffering and blessing
Keywords
JacobRachelLeahLabanmarriageservant yearsdeceptionfertilitywombGod's providence
People
JacobLabanLeahRachelRebekahNahorHaranBilhahZilpahReubenSimeonLeviJudah
Places
Haranthe land of the eastthe wellLaban’s house
Things
wellstoneflocks of sheephandmaids Bilhah and Zilpahservant yearsfertilitywomb
Key Verses
  • Genesis 29:4: Jacob initiates the negotiation for marriage with Rachel.
  • Genesis 29:15: Laban asks for a wage, highlighting the transactional nature of the marriage.
  • Genesis 29:25: Laban deceives Jacob by presenting Leah first, exposing the tension between human agreements and divine intervention.
  • Genesis 29:31: The LORD opens Leah’s womb, indicating divine response to human distress.
Questions
  • What does Jacob’s willingness to serve seven years reveal about his love for Rachel?
  • How does Laban’s deception affect Jacob’s trust in the marriage covenant?
  • In what ways does the narrative illustrate God’s intervention in human affairs, particularly regarding Leah’s fertility?
Sentiment

mixed
Contains both negative elements (deception, lack of faithfulness) and positive ones (love, divine blessing).