THE FIRST BOOK OF
MOSES,
called
G E N E S I S
Genesis 29 ©
Jacob, being near Haran, becomes acquainted by a wonderful providence of God with Rachel, Laban’s daughter, vs. 1, etc. Who runs to tell her father, 12. Laban comes running forth to meet Jacob, and brings him to the house, hears all what happened to him, and entertains him, 13. They bargain together that Jacob shall serve seven years for Rachel, 15. But when he thought to marry Rachel, Leah, Rachel’s oldest sister, is added to him, 21. Yet he receives Rachel too, for the service of yet other seven years, 27. Rachel is loved, but barren; Leah, on the other hand, bears Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, 31.
THEN Jacob 1went on his journey, and came into the land 2of 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, 3My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the 4son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
And he said unto them, 5Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
And he said, Lo, 6it 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, 7We 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 8she kept them.
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 9rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
And Jacob 10kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and 11wept.
And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s 12brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
And it came to pass, 13when 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 14all these things.
And Laban said to him, Surely thou art 15my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the 16space of a month.
¶And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the 17elder was Leah, and the name of the 18younger was Rachel.
Leah was 19tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, Ia will serve thee 20seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
And Laban said, 21It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a 22few days, for the love he had to her.
¶And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me 23my wife, for 24my days are fulfilled, 25that I may go in unto her.
And Laban gathered together 26all the men of the place, and made a feast.
And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, 27and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid 28for an handmaid.
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?
And Laban said, 29It must not be so done in our country, to give 30the younger before the firstborn.
31Fulfil her week, 32and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he 33gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
And 34he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
¶And when the LORD saw that Leah was 35hated, he 36opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name 37Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will 38love me.
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name 39Simeon.
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 40called 41Levi.
And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I 42praise the LORD: therefore she called his name 43Judah; and 44left bearing.