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Laban’s Treachery

21 Finally, Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my time [of service] is completed, so that I may take her to me [as my wife].” 22 So Laban gathered together all the men of the place and prepared a [wedding] [a]feast [with wine]. 23 But in the evening he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob [b]went in to [consummate the marriage with] her. 24 Laban also gave Zilpah his maid to his daughter Leah as a maid. 25 But in the morning [when Jacob awoke], it was Leah [who was with him]! And he said to Laban, “What is this that you have done to me? Did I not work for you [for seven years] for Rachel? Why have you deceived and betrayed me [like this]?” 26 But Laban only said, “It is not [c]the tradition here to give the younger [daughter in marriage] before the older. 27 Finish the week [of the wedding feast] for Leah; then we will give you Rachel also, and in return you shall work for me for seven more years.” 28 So Jacob complied and fulfilled Leah’s week [of celebration]; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his [second] wife. 29 Laban also gave Bilhah his maid to his daughter Rachel as a maid. 30 So Jacob consummated his marriage and lived with Rachel [as his wife], and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 29:22 The wedding feast was usually a lavish event lasting seven days. A wide variety of food was served along with wine, which was sometimes fortified with spices.
  2. Genesis 29:23 Laban must have made sure that Jacob was thoroughly intoxicated before he attempted to switch the daughters.
  3. Genesis 29:26 Lit done this way in.

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.(A)

22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.(B) 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah(C) and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah(D) to his daughter as her attendant.(E)

25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me?(F) I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?(G)

26 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.(H) 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week;(I) then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.(J)

28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.(K) 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah(L) to his daughter Rachel as her attendant.(M) 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah.(N) And he worked for Laban another seven years.(O)

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