Genesis 29
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
Jacob Meets Rachel
29 Jacob resumed his journey[a] and went to the eastern country.[b](A) 2 He looked and saw a well in a field. Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it because the sheep were watered from this well. But a large stone covered the opening of the well. 3 The shepherds would roll the stone from the opening of the well and water the sheep when all the flocks[c] were gathered there. Then they would return the stone to its place over the well’s opening.
4 Jacob asked the men at the well, ‘My brothers! Where are you from? ’
‘We’re from Haran,’ they answered.
5 ‘Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson? ’ Jacob asked them.
They answered, ‘We know him.’
6 ‘Is he well? ’ Jacob asked.
‘Yes,’ they said, ‘and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with his sheep.’
7 Then Jacob said, ‘Look, it is still broad daylight. It’s not time for the animals to be gathered. Water the flock, then go out and let them graze.’
8 But they replied, ‘We can’t until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone is rolled from the well’s opening. Then we will water the sheep.’
9 While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 As soon as Jacob saw his uncle Laban’s daughter Rachel with his sheep,[d] he went up and rolled the stone from the opening and watered his uncle Laban’s sheep. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly.[e] 12 He told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.
Jacob Deceived
13 When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran to meet him, hugged him, and kissed him. Then he took him to his house, and Jacob told him all that had happened.
14 Laban said to him, ‘Yes, you are my own flesh and blood.’[f](B)
After Jacob had stayed with him for a month, 15 Laban said to him, ‘Just because you’re my relative, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.’
16 Now Laban had two daughters: the elder was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel. 17 Leah had tender eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, ‘I’ll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.’(C)
19 Laban replied, ‘Better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay with me.’ 20 So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Since my time is complete, give me my wife, so I can sleep with[g] her.’ 22 So Laban invited all the men of the place and sponsored a feast. 23 That evening, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. 24 And Laban gave his slave Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her slave.
25 When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, ‘What have you done to me? Wasn’t it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me? ’
26 Laban answered, ‘It is not the custom in our country to give the younger daughter in marriage before the firstborn. 27 Complete this week of wedding celebration, and we will also give you this younger one in return for working yet another seven years for me.’
28 And Jacob did just that. He finished the week of celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. 29 And Laban gave his slave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her slave. 30 Jacob slept with Rachel also, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.(D)
Jacob’s Sons
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was neglected,(E) he opened her womb;(F) but Rachel was unable to conceive.(G) 32 Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben,[h] for she said, ‘The Lord has seen my affliction;(H) surely my husband will love me now.’
33 She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, ‘The Lord heard that I am neglected and has given me this son also.’ So she named him Simeon.[i]
34 She conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, ‘At last, my husband will become attached to me because I have borne three sons for him.’ Therefore he was named Levi.[j]
35 And she conceived again, gave birth to a son, and said, ‘This time I will praise the Lord.’ Therefore she named him Judah.[k](I) Then Leah stopped having children.
Footnotes
- 29:1 Lit Jacob picked up his feet
- 29:1 Lit the land of the children of the east
- 29:3 Sam, some LXX mss read flocks and the shepherds
- 29:10 Lit with the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother
- 29:11 Lit and he lifted his voice and wept
- 29:14 Lit my bone and my flesh
- 29:21 Lit can go to
- 29:32 = See, a Son; in Hb, the name Reuben sounds like ‘has seen my affliction.’
- 29:33 In Hb, the name Simeon sounds like ‘has heard.’
- 29:34 In Hb, the name Levi sounds like ‘attached to.’
- 29:35 In Hb, the name Judah sounds like ‘praise.’
Genesis 29
King James Version
29 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
2 And 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.
3 And 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.
4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
7 And 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.
8 And 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.
9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them.
10 And 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.
11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
13 And 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.
14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
25 And 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?
26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
31 And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32 And 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.
33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the Lord hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
34 And 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.
35 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
The Voice
29 Jacob continued on his journey until he came to the land of the people who lived in the east. 2 As he approached, he saw a well in the field and three flocks of sheep lying beside it because the flocks were used to being watered from the well. The stone on the well’s mouth was large; 3 and when all of the flocks were gathered, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well, give water to the sheep, and then roll the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well. 4 Jacob spoke to them as he approached.
Jacob (to the shepherds): Brothers, where do you come from?
Shepherds: We are from Haran.
Jacob: 5 Do you know Laban, son of Nahor?
Shepherds: We do.
Jacob: 6 Is he well?
Shepherds: Yes, he is. Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep right now.
Jacob: 7 Look, it’s still broad daylight, too early to gather the livestock together for the evening. Why don’t you water the sheep and take them out to graze in the pasture?
Shepherds: 8 We can’t—not until all of the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well. Then we water the sheep.
9 While Jacob was still speaking to the shepherds, Rachel came with her father’s sheep for she, too, was a shepherd. 10 Now when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his mother’s brother Laban, along with Laban’s sheep, he went up to the well, rolled the stone from the well’s mouth by himself, and watered Laban’s flock. 11 Then Jacob greeted Rachel with a kiss and cried for joy. 12 Jacob told Rachel he was her father’s relative—Rebekah’s son—and she ran and told her father.
13 When Laban heard the news about the arrival of his sister’s son, Jacob, he ran to meet him. He hugged him and kissed him, and he brought Jacob to his house. Jacob told Laban everything.
Laban: 14 You are surely my flesh and bone!
And Jacob stayed with Laban for a month and helped out with all his livestock.
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. 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant. 30 Then Jacob also slept with Rachel, and he clearly loved Rachel more than Leah. As agreed, he served Laban for another seven years.
31 When the Eternal One saw how Leah was unloved, He made her fertile, but Rachel remained barren. 32 Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben.
Leah: Because the Eternal One has been compassionate to me in my painful predicament, allowing me to bear this child, surely now my husband will love me.
33 In time, she conceived again and gave birth to another son.
Leah: Because the Eternal One has heard I am unloved, He has given me this son too.
So Leah named the second son Simeon. 34 Then she conceived for the third time and gave birth to her third son.
Leah: Surely now my husband will be more attached to me, because I have given him three sons.
Leah named the third son Levi. 35 And once again, she conceived and gave birth to her fourth son.
Leah: This time I will praise the Eternal One!
So Leah named this son Judah. After Judah, Leah didn’t have any more children for a while.
Бытие 29
Russian New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
29 Затем Иаков продолжил свой путь, направляясь в страну на востоке. 2 Он увидел в поле колодец, возле которого находились три отары овец, пришедшие на водопой. Над колодцем был привален большой камень. 3 Когда все стада собирались возле колодца, пастухи отваливали камень и поили овец, а затем снова клали камень на прежнее место.
4 Иаков спросил тех пастухов: «Откуда вы, братья?»
«Из Харана»,—ответили они.
5 «Знаете ли вы Лавана, сына Нахора?»—спросил тогда Иаков.
«Знаем»,—ответили пастухи.
6 «Как он поживает?»—спросил Иаков.
«Хорошо,—ответили пастухи.—Вон дочь его, Рахиль, идёт с отарой овец».
7 Иаков сказал: «Послушайте, на улице ещё день, солнце сядет не скоро, и ещё рано собирать овец на ночь, так напоите их и выпустите обратно в поле».
8 Но пастухи сказали: «Не можем, пока все стада не соберутся. Тогда мы отвалим от колодца камень и будем поить овец».
9 Пока Иаков разговаривал с пастухами, подошла Рахиль с отцовскими овцами (она пасла их). 10 Рахиль была дочерью Лавана, брата Ревекки, матери Иакова. Увидев её, Иаков подошёл, отодвинул камень с колодца и напоил овец. 11 Потом он поцеловал Рахиль и заплакал. 12 Иаков рассказал Рахили, что он из семьи её отца и что он сын Ревекки. Рахиль сразу же побежала домой и рассказала об этом отцу. 13 Услышав новость о сыне своей сестры, Лаван выбежал навстречу Иакову, обнял его, поцеловал и привёл к себе в дом; и Иаков рассказал Лавану обо всём происшедшем.
14 «Как это замечательно,—сказал Лаван Иакову,—что ты—кровь и плоть моя!» Иаков оставался у Лавана целый месяц.
Лавану удаётся перехитрить Иакова
15 Однажды Лаван сказал Иакову: «Нехорошо, что ты работаешь на меня даром, ведь ты мой родственник. Как мне рассчитаться с тобой?» 16 У Лавана было две дочери: старшая—Лия и младшая—Рахиль. 17 Рахиль была красавица, у Лии же был кроткий взгляд[a]. 18 Иаков полюбил Рахиль, поэтому он ответил Лавану: «Я буду семь лет работать на тебя, если ты согласишься, чтобы я женился на твоей дочери Рахили».
19 «Для неё будет лучше выйти замуж за тебя, чем за кого-то другого. Оставайся у меня»,—сказал Лаван.
20 Иаков остался и работал на Лавана семь лет, которые промелькнули очень быстро, потому что велика была его любовь к Рахили. 21 Когда же семь лет истекли, Иаков сказал Лавану: «Отдай мне Рахиль в жёны, так как срок моих трудов на тебя истёк».
22 Лаван устроил празднество для всех, кто там жил, 23 и в ту же ночь привёл к Иакову свою дочь Лию, и Иаков познал её. 24 Лаван дал Лии свою служанку Зелфу, чтобы та служила ей. 25 На утро Иаков увидел, что та, с кем он спал,—Лия, и сказал Лавану: «Что же ты сделал со мной? Я ведь много работал на тебя, чтобы жениться на Рахили. Зачем же ты обманул меня?»
26 «У нас в стране не разрешается младшей дочери выходить замуж раньше старшей. 27 Но если ты доведёшь до конца неделю свадебного обряда, то я отдам тебе в жёны и Рахиль. Ты же за это должен прослужить мне ещё семь лет».
28 Иаков так и сделал: довёл до конца неделю свадебного обряда, и Лаван отдал ему в жёны свою дочь Рахиль. 29 Лаван дал Рахили свою служанку Валлу, чтобы та служила ей. 30 Иаков познал также и Рахиль и любил её больше, чем Лию. После этого он работал на Лавана ещё семь лет.
Семья Иакова увеличивается
31 Господь видел, что Иаков любит Рахиль больше, чем Лию, и потому сделал так, чтобы Лия имела детей, а у Рахили детей не было.
32 Лия родила сына и назвала его Рувимом[b], потому что, как она сказала: «Господь увидел, как я бедствую: муж мой не любит меня, так, может быть, теперь он полюбит меня».
33 Лия снова забеременела и родила ещё одного сына. Она назвала его Симеоном[c], сказав: «Господь услышал, что я нелюбима, и потому послал мне сына».
34 И снова забеременела Лия, и родила ещё одного сына. Она назвала его Левием[d], сказав: «Теперь-то мой муж будет близок ко мне, ведь я дала ему троих сыновей».
35 Лия забеременела и родила ещё одного сына. Она назвала его Иудой[e], потому что, как она сказала: «Теперь я восхвалю Господа». После этого Лия перестала рожать.
Footnotes
Copyright © 2024 by Holman Bible Publishers.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
©2014 Bible League International