The Law · Chapter 29 of 50

Genesis 29

Jacob reaches Haran, meets Rachel at a well, and is welcomed by his uncle Laban. He agrees to serve seven years for Rachel, but on the wedding night Laban gives him Leah instead. Confronted, Laban excuses the custom and gives Rachel too for another seven years. Jacob loves Rachel more, but God sees Leah unloved and opens her womb, and she bears Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.

What happens in Genesis 29

Jacob arrives in the east and meets shepherds at a well who know Laban. When Rachel comes with the sheep, Jacob rolls the stone away, waters her flock, kisses her, and weeps, revealing he is her kinsman. Laban welcomes him warmly. After a month, Laban asks what wages Jacob wants, and Jacob, loving Rachel, offers seven years' service for her. He serves, and the years feel like a few days for love.

But on the wedding night Laban substitutes Leah, his elder daughter. In the morning Jacob discovers the deception and protests. Laban pleads local custom, then gives Rachel also for another seven years of service. Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah. Seeing Leah unloved, the LORD opens her womb, and she bears Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, hoping to win her husband's love.

Genesis 29 in context

The deceiver is now deceived. Jacob, who tricked his blind father by pretending to be the elder brother, is tricked in the dark into marrying the elder sister. Laban's scheme begins twenty years of hard, contentious service that will refine Jacob.

The rivalry between Leah and Rachel and their maids will produce the twelve sons who become Israel's tribes. Leah, the unloved wife, bears Judah, from whose tribe the kings of Israel and ultimately the Messiah would come.

Main themes of Genesis 29

Genesis 29 (KJV)

1Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. 2And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth. 3And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place. 4And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we. 5And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. 6And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. 7And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. 8And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep. 9And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them. 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. 11And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father. 13And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. 14And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. 15And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? 16And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. 18And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. 19And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. 21And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. 22And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. 24And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. 25And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? 26And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. 28And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. 29And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. 30And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. 31And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. 32And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. 33And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. 34And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. 35And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Verses to carry from Genesis 29

“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.”Genesis 29:20

“And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.”Genesis 29:31

“And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.”Genesis 29:35

Reflection

If you have ever felt like Leah, unwanted and passed over, this chapter is for you. God saw her affliction and made her the mother of the line that led to the Savior. Being overlooked by people does not mean being overlooked by God. He sees, He draws near, and He can bring great good from your sorrow.

A prayer from Genesis 29