Add parallel Print Page Options

15 Then Laban spoke one day to Jacob.

Laban: Just because you are my relative, that doesn’t mean you should be working for me for nothing! Tell me what I can pay you.

16 Now Laban had two daughters. The older was Leah, and her younger sister was Rachel. 17 There was no brightness to Leah’s eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful shape and was lovely to look at. 18 Jacob truly loved Rachel.

Since Jacob has no money to pay a bride-price, he offers a creative solution to the problem.

Jacob: I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll serve you for seven years in exchange for the hand of your younger daughter Rachel in marriage.

Laban: 19 Agreed. I’d rather you have her than any other man I know. You may stay here and work.

20 So Jacob served Laban for seven years in exchange for Rachel. The years went by quickly and seemed to him to be only a few days because of the immense love he had for her.

21 When the time came, Jacob approached Laban.

Jacob: I have now completed seven years of work for you. I ask you now to give me my wife so that I may consummate my marriage.

22 So Laban gathered together all of the people in the area and prepared a great feast. 23 But in the evening, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob slept with her thinking she was Rachel. 24 Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant. 25 When morning came, Jacob realized Leah was the one with him in the marriage bed.

Jacob: What have you done to me? Did we not have a deal—seven years of labor in exchange for your daughter Rachel? Why have you deceived me?

Laban: 26 That isn’t something we do here in this country—giving the younger daughter in marriage before the firstborn. 27 If you complete this wedding week with Leah, then I will also give you Rachel. But in return, you must serve me another seven years.

Wedding celebrations last seven days, plenty of time for Leah to become pregnant with Laban’s first grandchild.

28 Jacob agreed and completed his week with Leah. And then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel in marriage.

Read full chapter

15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative(A) of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages(B) should be.”

16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah,(C) and the name of the younger was Rachel.(D) 17 Leah had weak[a] eyes, but Rachel(E) had a lovely figure and was beautiful.(F) 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel(G) and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”(H)

19 Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel,(I) but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.(J)

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

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

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

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

28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.(U)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 29:17 Or delicate