Genesis 29
New Living Translation
Jacob Arrives at Paddan-Aram
29 Then Jacob hurried on, finally arriving in the land of the east. 2 He saw a well in the distance. Three flocks of sheep and goats lay in an open field beside it, waiting to be watered. But a heavy stone covered the mouth of the well.
3 It was the custom there to wait for all the flocks to arrive before removing the stone and watering the animals. Afterward the stone would be placed back over the mouth of the well. 4 Jacob went over to the shepherds and asked, “Where are you from, my friends?”
“We are from Haran,” they answered.
5 “Do you know a man there named Laban, the grandson of Nahor?” he asked.
“Yes, we do,” they replied.
6 “Is he doing well?” Jacob asked.
“Yes, he’s well,” they answered. “Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with the flock now.”
7 Jacob said, “Look, it’s still broad daylight—too early to round up the animals. Why don’t you water the sheep and goats so they can get back out to pasture?”
8 “We can’t water the animals until all the flocks have arrived,” they replied. “Then the shepherds move the stone from the mouth of the well, and we water all the sheep and goats.”
9 Jacob was still talking with them when Rachel arrived with her father’s flock, for she was a shepherd. 10 And because Rachel was his cousin—the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother—and because the sheep and goats belonged to his uncle Laban, Jacob went over to the well and moved the stone from its mouth and watered his uncle’s flock. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and he wept aloud. 12 He explained to Rachel that he was her cousin on her father’s side—the son of her aunt Rebekah. So Rachel quickly ran and told her father, Laban.
13 As soon as Laban heard that his nephew Jacob had arrived, he ran out to meet him. He embraced and kissed him and brought him home. When Jacob had told him his story, 14 Laban exclaimed, “You really are my own flesh and blood!”
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
After Jacob had stayed with Laban for about a month, 15 Laban said to him, “You shouldn’t work for me without pay just because we are relatives. Tell me how much your wages should be.”
16 Now Laban had two daughters. The older daughter was named Leah, and the younger one was Rachel. 17 There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes,[a] but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face. 18 Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.”
19 “Agreed!” Laban replied. “I’d rather give her to you than to anyone else. Stay and work with me.” 20 So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.
21 Finally, the time came for him to marry her. “I have fulfilled my agreement,” Jacob said to Laban. “Now give me my wife so I can sleep with her.”
22 So Laban invited everyone in the neighborhood and prepared a wedding feast. 23 But that night, when it was dark, Laban took Leah to Jacob, and he slept with her. 24 (Laban had given Leah a servant, Zilpah, to be her maid.)
25 But when Jacob woke up in the morning—it was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob raged at Laban. “I worked seven years for Rachel! Why have you tricked me?”
26 “It’s not our custom here to marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn,” Laban replied. 27 “But wait until the bridal week is over; then we’ll give you Rachel, too—provided you promise to work another seven years for me.”
28 So Jacob agreed to work seven more years. A week after Jacob had married Leah, Laban gave him Rachel, too. 29 (Laban gave Rachel a servant, Bilhah, to be her maid.) 30 So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her much more than Leah. He then stayed and worked for Laban the additional seven years.
Jacob’s Many Children
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive. 32 So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben,[b] for she said, “The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.”
33 She soon became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She named him Simeon,[c] for she said, “The Lord heard that I was unloved and has given me another son.”
34 Then she became pregnant a third time and gave birth to another son. He was named Levi,[d] for she said, “Surely this time my husband will feel affection for me, since I have given him three sons!”
35 Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah,[e] for she said, “Now I will praise the Lord!” And then she stopped having children.
Footnotes
- 29:17 Or Leah had dull eyes, or Leah had soft eyes. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
- 29:32 Reuben means “Look, a son!” It also sounds like the Hebrew for “He has seen my misery.”
- 29:33 Simeon probably means “one who hears.”
- 29:34 Levi sounds like a Hebrew term that means “being attached” or “feeling affection for.”
- 29:35 Judah is related to the Hebrew term for “praise.”
Génesis 29
Palabra de Dios para Todos
Jacob y Raquel
29 Después Jacob continuó su viaje y fue al país de la gente del oriente. 2 Miró alrededor y vio una fuente en el campo. Había tres rebaños de ovejas descansando al lado de la fuente, que era el lugar donde estas ovejas tomaban agua. Había una piedra grande cubriendo la boca de la fuente. 3 Cuando tenían todas las ovejas reunidas ahí, los pastores quitaban la piedra y las ovejas podían tomar agua. Después, volvían a colocar la piedra en su puesto, cubriendo la boca de la fuente. 4 Jacob les dijo:
—Hermanos, ¿de dónde son ustedes?
Ellos respondieron:
—Somos de Jarán.
5 Entonces Jacob les preguntó:
—¿Conocen a Labán, el hijo de Najor?
Ellos respondieron:
—Sí lo conocemos.
6 Luego Jacob preguntó:
—¿Cómo está él?
Ellos respondieron:
—Está bien. Mira, esa es su hija Raquel, la que viene con esas ovejas que son de él.
7 Después él dijo:
—Miren, todavía es de día y falta mucho para que oscurezca. Aun no es hora de reunir los animales para pasar la noche. Denles a beber agua y llévenlos otra vez a pastar a los campos.
8 Ellos dijeron:
—No podemos hacer eso hasta no reunir todos los rebaños. Sólo entonces podemos quitar la piedra de la boca de la fuente y darles agua a las ovejas.
9 Mientras Jacob seguía hablando con ellos, llegó Raquel con las ovejas de su papá, pues ella era la encargada de cuidarlas. 10 Raquel era la hija de Labán, el hermano de Rebeca, la mamá de Jacob. Cuando Jacob vio a Raquel, fue y movió la piedra de la boca de la fuente y les dio agua a las ovejas. 11 Luego le dio un beso a Raquel y se puso a llorar. 12 Jacob le contó a Raquel que él era pariente del papá de ella y que era el hijo de Rebeca. Entonces Raquel fue corriendo a la casa de su papá a avisarle.
13 Cuando Labán escuchó la noticia sobre Jacob, el hijo de su hermana, corrió a conocerlo. Lo abrazó, lo besó y lo llevó a su casa. Después Jacob le contó a Labán todo lo que había pasado. 14 Entonces Labán le dijo: «¡En verdad eres de mi familia!» Jacob se quedó en su casa por un mes.
Labán engaña a Jacob
15 Un día Labán le dijo a Jacob:
—No está bien que sigas trabajando para mí sin recibir pago a cambio. Tú eres mi pariente, no mi esclavo. Dime, ¿cuánto debo pagarte?
16 Labán tenía dos hijas. La mayor se llamaba Lea y la menor Raquel. 17 Lea era de ojos tiernos[a] pero Raquel era linda y tenía un cuerpo hermoso. 18 Jacob amaba a Raquel, así que dijo:
—Trabajaré para ti durante siete años si dejas que me case con Raquel, tu hija menor.
19 Labán dijo:
—Es mejor que te cases con ella y no que ella se case con cualquier otro hombre. Así que quédate conmigo.
20 Entonces Jacob se quedó siete años trabajando para Labán, pero ese tiempo se le pasó muy rápido debido al gran amor que sentía por Raquel. 21 Después Jacob le dijo a Labán:
—Dame a Raquel, se cumplió mi tiempo de trabajo para casarme con ella.
22 Labán reunió a toda la gente del lugar y dio una fiesta de bodas 23 pero, por la noche, Labán le llevó a su hija Lea, y Jacob tuvo relaciones sexuales con ella. 24 Labán le dio su sierva Zilpá a su hija Lea para que la atendiera. 25 A la mañana siguiente Jacob se dio cuenta de que se había acostado con Lea y entonces le dijo a Labán:
—¿Por qué me hiciste esto? Trabajé muy duro para casarme con Raquel. ¿Por qué me engañaste?
26 Labán respondió:
—En nuestro país no se permite que la hija menor se case antes que la hija mayor. 27 Cumple con la semana de celebración de bodas y también te daré a Raquel para que te cases con ella, si trabajas otros siete años para mí.
28 Jacob lo hizo. Cumplió con la semana de celebración de bodas y luego Labán le entregó a Raquel para que se casara con ella. 29 Labán le dio su sierva Bilhá a su hija Raquel para que la atendiera. 30 Entonces Jacob tuvo relaciones sexuales también con Raquel. Él amó a Raquel más que a Lea y trabajó para Labán otros siete años.
Los hijos de Jacob
31 El SEÑOR vio que Jacob no amaba a Lea, entonces hizo que ella pudiera tener hijos y Raquel no. 32 Lea quedó embarazada y dio a luz a un hijo al que llamó Rubén[b]. Le puso así porque pensó: «El SEÑOR se ha dado cuenta de mi humillación. ¡Seguro que ahora mi esposo sí me va a querer!» 33 Después Lea volvió a quedar embarazada y dio a luz a otro hijo. Entonces ella dijo: «Como el SEÑOR oyó que mi esposo no me quiere, también me dio este hijo». Por esta razón lo llamó Simeón[c].
34 Luego ella volvió a quedar embarazada y dio a luz a otro hijo. Entonces ella dijo: «Ahora con seguridad mi esposo va a estar cerca de mí porque yo le he dado tres hijos». Por esta razón lo llamó Leví[d].
35 Lea volvió a quedar embarazada y dio a luz a otro hijo. Entonces ella dijo: «Esta vez voy a alabar al SEÑOR», por lo cual lo llamó Judá[e]. Después Lea dejó de tener hijos.
Footnotes
- 29:17 tiernos o débiles o simples. Era una manera discreta de decir que ella no era tan bonita como Raquel.
- 29:32 Rubén En hebreo esta palabra es similar a la expresión Miren, un hijo.
- 29:33 Simeón En hebreo este nombre es similar a la expresión Él escucha.
- 29:34 Leví En hebreo este nombre es parecido a la palabra que significa estar unidos o acercarse.
- 29:35 Judá En hebreo este nombre es similar a la expresión Él es alabado.
Genesis 29
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
29 Then Jacob went on in his journey, and came into the east country.
2 And he saw a well in the field, and three flocks of sheep lying by it: for the beasts were watered out of it, and the mouth thereof was closed with a great stone.
3 And the custom was, when all the sheep were gathered together to roll away the stone, and after the sheep were watered, to put it on the mouth of the well again.
4 And he said to the shepherds: Brethren, whence are you? They answered: Of Haran.
5 And he asked them, saying: Know you Laban the son of Nachor? They said: We know him.
6 He said: Is he in health? He is in health, say they: and behold Rachel his daughter cometh with his flock.
7 And Jacob said: There is yet much day remaining, neither is it time to bring the flocks into the folds again: first give the sheep drink, and so lead them back to feed.
8 They answered: We cannot, till all the cattle be gathered together, and we remove the stone from the well's mouth, that we may water the flocks.
9 They were yet speaking, and behold Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she fed the flock.
10 And when Jacob saw her, and knew her to be his cousin-german, and that they were the sheep of Laban, his uncle: he removed the stone wherewith the well was closed.
11 And having watered the flock, he kissed her: and lifting up his voice, wept.
12 And he told her that he was her father's brother, and the son of Rebecca: but she went in haste and told her father.
13 Who, when he heard that Jacob his sister's son was come, ran forth to meet him; and embracing him, and heartily kissing him, brought him into his house. And when he had heard the causes of his journey,
14 He answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the days of one month were expired,
15 He said to him: Because thou art my brother, shalt thou serve me without wages? Tell me what wages thou wilt have.
16 Now he had two daughters, the name of the elder was Lia: and the younger was called Rachel.
17 But Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was well favoured, and of a beautiful countenance.
18 And Jacob being in love with her, said: I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
19 Laban answered: It is better that I give her to thee than to another man; stay with me.
20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed but a few days, because of the greatness of his love.
21 And he said to Laban: Give me my wife; for now the time is fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22 And he, having invited a great number of his friends to the feast, made the marriage.
23 And at night he brought in Lia his daughter to him,
24 Giving his daughter a handmaid, named Zelpha. Now when Jacob had gone in to her according to custom when morning was come he saw it was Lia:
25 And he said to his father in law: What is it that thou didst mean to do? did not I serve thee for Rachel? why hast thou deceived me?
26 Laban answered: It is not the custom in this place, to give the younger in marriage first.
27 Make up the week of days of this match: and I will give thee her also, for the service that thou shalt render me other seven years.
28 He yielded to his pleasure: and after the week was past, he married Rachel:
29 To whom her father gave Bala for her servant.
30 And having at length obtained the marriage he wished for, he preferred the love of the latter before the former, and served with him other seven years.
31 And the Lord seeing that he despised Lia, opened her womb, but her sister remained barren.
32 And she conceived and bore a son, and called his name Ruben, saying: The Lord saw my affliction: now my husband will love me.
33 And again she conceived and bore a son, and said: Because the Lord heard that I was despised, he hath given this also to me: and she called his name Simeon.
34 And she conceived the third time, and bore another son: and said: Now also my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons: and therefore she called his name Levi.
35 The fourth time she conceived and bore a son, and said: now will I praise the Lord: and for this she called him Juda. And she left bearing.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
.png)
© 2005, 2015 Bible League International
Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)