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Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram

29 Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples.(A) There he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well.(B) The stone(C) over the mouth of the well was large. When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone(D) away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep.(E) Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?”(F)

“We’re from Harran,(G)” they replied.

He said to them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?”(H)

“Yes, we know him,” they answered.

Then Jacob asked them, “Is he well?”

“Yes, he is,” they said, “and here comes his daughter Rachel(I) with the sheep.(J)

“Look,” he said, “the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”

“We can’t,” they replied, “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone(K) has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water(L) the sheep.”

While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep,(M) for she was a shepherd. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel(N) daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone(O) away from the mouth of the well and watered(P) his uncle’s sheep.(Q) 11 Then Jacob kissed(R) Rachel and began to weep aloud.(S) 12 He had told Rachel that he was a relative(T) of her father and a son of Rebekah.(U) So she ran and told her father.(V)

13 As soon as Laban(W) heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him(X) and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things. 14 Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.”(Y)

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative(Z) of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages(AA) should be.”

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

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,(AH) but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.(AI)

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

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

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

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

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

Jacob’s Children

31 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved,(AY) he enabled her to conceive,(AZ) but Rachel remained childless. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.(BA) She named him Reuben,[b](BB) for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery.(BC) Surely my husband will love me now.”

33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved,(BD) he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.[c](BE)

34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me,(BF) because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.[d](BG)

35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah.[e](BH) Then she stopped having children.(BI)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 29:17 Or delicate
  2. Genesis 29:32 Reuben sounds like the Hebrew for he has seen my misery; the name means see, a son.
  3. Genesis 29:33 Simeon probably means one who hears.
  4. Genesis 29:34 Levi sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for attached.
  5. Genesis 29:35 Judah sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for praise.

29 13 Jacob cometh to Laban and serveth seven years for Rachel. 23 Leah brought to his bed instead of Rachel. 27 He serveth seven years more for Rachel. 31 Leah conceiveth and beareth four sons.

Then Jacob [a]lift up his feet and came into the [b]East country.

And as he looked about, behold, there was a well in the field, [c]and lo, three flocks of sheep lay thereby (for at that well were the flocks watered) and there was a great stone upon the well’s mouth.

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.

And Jacob said unto them, My [d]brethren, whence be ye? And they answered, We are of Haran.

Then he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? Who said, We know him.

Again he said unto them, [e]Is he in good health? And they answered, He is in good health, and behold, his daughter Rachel cometh with the sheep.

Then 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 feed them.

But they said, We may not, until all the flocks be brought together, and till men roll the stone from the well’s mouth, that we may water the sheep.

¶ While he talked with them, Rachel also came with her father’s sheep, for she kept them.

10 And as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, then came Jacob 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 (For Jacob told Rachel, that he was her father’s [f]brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son) then she ran and told her father.

13 And when Laban heard tell of Jacob his sister’s son, he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house: and he told Laban [g]all these things.

14 To whom Laban said, Well, thou art my [h]bone and my flesh, and he abode with him the space of a month.

15 ¶ For Laban said unto Jacob, Though thou be my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall be thy wages?

16 Now Laban had two daughters, the elder called Leah, and the younger called Rachel.

17 And Leah was [i]tender eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and fair.

18 And Jacob loved Rachel, and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

19 Then Laban answered, It is better that I give her 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 [j]few days, because he loved her.

21 ¶ Then Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife, that I may go in to her: for my [k]term is ended.

22 Wherefore Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23 But [l]when the evening was come, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him, and he went in unto her.

24 And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah, to be her servant.

25 But when the morning was come, behold, it was Leah. Then said he to Laban, Wherefore hast thou done thus to me? did not I serve thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

26 And Laban answered, It is not the [m]manner of this place, to give the younger before the elder.

27 Fulfill seven years for her, and we will also give thee this for the service, which thou shalt serve me yet seven years more.

28 Then Jacob did so, and fulfilled her seven years, so he gave him Rachel his daughter to be his wife.

29 Laban also gave to Rachel his daughter, Bilhah his maid to be her servant.

30 So entered he in to Rachel also, and loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served him yet seven years more.

31 ¶ When the Lord saw that Leah was despised, he [n]made her [o]fruitful: but Rachel was barren.

32 And Leah conceived and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Because the [p]Lord hath looked upon my tribulation, now therefore mine husband will [q]love me.

33 And she conceived again and bare a son, and said, Because the Lord heard that 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 at this time will my husband keep me company, because I have borne him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

35 Moreover she conceived again and bare a son, saying, Now will I [r]praise the Lord: (A)therefore she called his name Judah, and [s]left bearing.

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 29:1 That is, he went forth on his journey.
  2. Genesis 29:1 Hebrew, to the land of the children of the East.
  3. Genesis 29:2 Thus he was directed by the only providence of God, who brought him also to Laban’s house.
  4. Genesis 29:4 It seemeth that in those days the custom was to call even strangers, brethren.
  5. Genesis 29:6 Or, he is in peace? by the which word the Hebrews signify all prosperity.
  6. Genesis 29:12 Or, nephew.
  7. Genesis 29:13 That is, the cause why he departed from his father’s house, and what he saw in the way.
  8. Genesis 29:14 That is, of my blood and kindred.
  9. Genesis 29:17 Or, blear-eyed.
  10. Genesis 29:20 Meaning, after that the years were accomplished.
  11. Genesis 29:21 Hebrew, my days are full.
  12. Genesis 29:23 The cause why Jacob was deceived was, that in old time the wife was covered with a veil, when she was brought to her husband in sign of chastity and shamefastness.
  13. Genesis 29:26 He esteemed more the profit that he had of Jacob’s service, than either his promise of the manner of the country, though he alleged custom for his excuse.
  14. Genesis 29:31 Hebrew, opened her womb.
  15. Genesis 29:31 This declareth that oft times they which are despised of men, are favored of God.
  16. Genesis 29:32 Hereby appeareth, that she had recourse to God in her affliction.
  17. Genesis 29:32 For children are a great cause of mutual love between man and wife.
  18. Genesis 29:35 Or, confess.
  19. Genesis 29:35 Hebrew, stood from bearing.

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

29 Then Jacob went on his journey and came to (A)the land of the people of the east. As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well's mouth was large, and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well.

Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, (B)“We are from Haran.” He said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.” He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!” He said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go, pasture them.” But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”

While he was still speaking with them, (C)Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. 10 Now as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud. 12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was (D)her father's kinsman, and that he was Rebekah's son, (E)and she ran and told her father.

13 As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son, (F)he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things, 14 and Laban said to him, (G)“Surely you are my bone and my flesh!” And he stayed with him a month.

15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” 16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah's eyes were weak,[a] but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 18 Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, (H)“I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” 20 So Jacob (I)served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” 22 So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and (J)made a feast. 23 But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her. 24 (Laban gave[b] (K)his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.) 25 And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 (L)Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” 28 Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 29 (Laban gave (M)his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.) 30 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban (N)for another seven years.

Jacob's Children

31 When the Lord saw that Leah was (O)hated, (P)he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben,[c] for she said, “Because the Lord (Q)has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” 33 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.[d] 34 Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be (R)attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.[e] 35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name (S)Judah.[f] Then she ceased bearing.

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 29:17 Or soft
  2. Genesis 29:24 Or had given; also verse 29
  3. Genesis 29:32 Reuben means See, a son
  4. Genesis 29:33 Simeon sounds like the Hebrew for heard
  5. Genesis 29:34 Levi sounds like the Hebrew for attached
  6. Genesis 29:35 Judah sounds like the Hebrew for praise

Encuentro de Jacob y Raquel

29 Entonces Jacob siguió su camino[a], y fue a la tierra de los hijos del oriente(A). Y miró, y vio[b] un pozo(B) en el campo, y he aquí, tres rebaños de ovejas estaban echados allí junto a él, porque de aquel pozo daban de beber a los rebaños, y la piedra sobre la boca del pozo era grande. Cuando todos los rebaños se juntaban allí, entonces rodaban la piedra de la boca del pozo y daban de beber a las ovejas, y volvían a poner la piedra en su lugar sobre la boca del pozo. Y Jacob dijo a los pastores: Hermanos míos, ¿de dónde sois? Y ellos dijeron: Somos de Harán(C). Entonces les dijo: ¿Conocéis a Labán, hijo de Nacor(D)? Y ellos respondieron: Lo conocemos. Y él les dijo: ¿Se encuentra bien? Y dijeron: Está bien; mira, su hija Raquel viene con las ovejas(E). Y él dijo: He aquí, aún es pleno día, no es tiempo de recoger el ganado. Dad de beber a las ovejas, e id a apacentarlas. Pero ellos dijeron: No podemos, hasta que se junten todos los rebaños y quiten[c] la piedra de la boca del pozo; entonces daremos de beber a las ovejas. Todavía estaba él hablando con ellos, cuando llegó Raquel con las ovejas de su padre, pues ella era pastora. 10 Y sucedió que cuando Jacob vio a Raquel, hija de Labán, hermano de su madre, y las ovejas de Labán, hermano de su madre, Jacob subió y quitó[d] la piedra de la boca del pozo, y dio de beber al rebaño de Labán, hermano de su madre. 11 Entonces Jacob besó a Raquel, y alzó su voz y lloró(F). 12 Y Jacob hizo saber a Raquel que él era pariente[e] de su padre, y que era hijo de Rebeca(G); y ella corrió y se lo hizo saber a su padre(H).

Labán engaña a Jacob

13 Y sucedió que cuando Labán oyó las noticias de Jacob, hijo de su hermana, corrió a su encuentro(I), lo abrazó, lo besó(J) y lo trajo a su casa. Entonces él contó a Labán todas estas cosas. 14 Y le dijo Labán: Ciertamente tú eres hueso mío y carne mía(K). Y Jacob se quedó con él todo un mes. 15 Y Labán dijo a Jacob: ¿Acaso porque eres mi pariente[f] has de servirme de balde? Hazme saber cuál será tu salario(L). 16 Labán tenía dos hijas; el nombre de la mayor era Lea, y el nombre de la menor, Raquel. 17 Y los ojos de Lea eran delicados, pero Raquel era de bella figura y de hermoso parecer(M). 18 Y Jacob se había enamorado de Raquel(N), y dijo: Te serviré siete años por Raquel, tu hija menor(O). 19 Y Labán dijo: Mejor es dártela a ti que dársela a otro hombre; quédate conmigo. 20 Jacob, pues, sirvió siete años por Raquel, y le parecieron unos pocos días, por el amor que le tenía(P).

21 Entonces Jacob dijo a Labán: Dame mi mujer, porque mi tiempo se ha[g] cumplido para unirme[h] a ella(Q). 22 Y Labán reunió a todos los hombres del lugar, e hizo un banquete. 23 Y sucedió que al anochecer tomó a su hija Lea y se la trajo, y Jacob se llegó a ella. 24 Y Labán dio su sierva Zilpa a su hija Lea como sierva. 25 Cuando fue de mañana, he aquí que era Lea. Y Jacob dijo a Labán: ¿Qué es esto que me has hecho(R)? ¿No fue por Raquel que te serví[i]? ¿Por qué, pues, me has engañado(S)? 26 Y Labán respondió: No se acostumbra[j] en nuestro lugar dar a la menor antes que a la mayor[k]. 27 Cumple la semana nupcial de esta, y te daremos también la otra por el servicio que habrás de rendirme[l] aún otros siete años(T). 28 Así lo hizo Jacob, y cumplió la semana de ella; y él le dio a su hija Raquel por mujer. 29 Y Labán dio su sierva Bilha a su hija Raquel como sierva. 30 Y Jacob se llegó también a Raquel, y amó más a Raquel que a Lea(U); y sirvió a Labán[m] durante otros siete años(V).

Hijos de Jacob

31 Vio el Señor que Lea era aborrecida, y le concedió hijos[n]; pero Raquel era estéril. 32 Y concibió Lea y dio a luz un hijo, y le puso por nombre Rubén[o], pues dijo: Por cuanto el Señor ha visto[p] mi aflicción(W), sin duda ahora mi marido me amará. 33 Concibió de nuevo y dio a luz un hijo, y dijo: Por cuanto el Señor ha oído que soy aborrecida(X), me ha dado también este hijo. Así que le puso por nombre Simeón[q]. 34 Concibió otra vez y dio a luz un hijo, y dijo: Ahora esta vez mi marido se apegará a mí, porque le he dado tres hijos. Así que le puso por nombre Leví[r](Y). 35 Concibió una vez más y dio a luz un hijo, y dijo: Esta vez alabaré al Señor; así que le puso por nombre Judá[s](Z); y dejó de dar a luz.

Footnotes

  1. Génesis 29:1 Lit., levantó sus pies
  2. Génesis 29:2 Lit., he aquí
  3. Génesis 29:8 Lit., rueden
  4. Génesis 29:10 Lit., rodó
  5. Génesis 29:12 Lit., hermano
  6. Génesis 29:15 Lit., hermano
  7. Génesis 29:21 Lit., mis días se han
  8. Génesis 29:21 Lit., para llegarme
  9. Génesis 29:25 Lit., serví contigo
  10. Génesis 29:26 Lit., No se hace así
  11. Génesis 29:26 Lit., primogénita
  12. Génesis 29:27 Lit., que has de servir conmigo
  13. Génesis 29:30 Lit., con él
  14. Génesis 29:31 Lit., abrió su matriz
  15. Génesis 29:32 I.e., ved, un hijo
  16. Génesis 29:32 Lit., reparado en
  17. Génesis 29:33 I.e., el que escucha
  18. Génesis 29:34 I.e., adherido
  19. Génesis 29:35 I.e., alabado

29 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.

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.

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.

And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

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.

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.

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.