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George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Genesis 29

Genesis 29:2

_Stone. Not of such an immoderate size but that Jacob could remove it. In that country water was scarce, and preserved with care. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:3

_Sheep. Instead of this, Kennicott would read shepherds; as also ver. 2. and 8. In which last, the Samaritan, Arabic and Septuagint agree with him; as the two former do likewise in this third verse. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:4

_Brethren. Jacob understands and speaks their language, either because it was not very different from his own, or he had learnt the Chaldean language from his mother. In the days of Ezechias, the Jews did not understand it. (4 Kings xviii. 26; Jeremias v. 15.) (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:9

She. Hebrew _He, ipsa. Eva is put for Eia, the letters being similar, chap. iii. 15. (Haydock) --- Other copies agree with the Vulgate and the Septuagint (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:10

_Cousin-german, and uncle, are put for brevity's sake by St. Jerome, instead of the Hebrew, "the daughter of Laban, brother of Rebecca his mother," and "his mother's brother." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:11

_Kissed her, according to the custom of the country, (chap. xxiv. 26,) having told her who he was. He was not so young, that she could suspect him guilty of an unbecoming levity, being above 77 years old, chap. xxvii. 1. (Haydock) --- In that age of simplicity, beautiful maids might converse with sh... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:12

_Brother, or nephew. The name of brother, in Scripture, almost corresponds with the Consanguineus of the Latins, or our relation._... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:17

_Blear-eyed. Hebrew, racoth. Watery and tender, unable to look steadfastly at any object, but at the same time very beautiful. (Onkelos; &c.) --- The beauty of Rachel was perfect; not confined to one part. These two sisters represented the synagogue and the Church of Christ. Lia, though married firs... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:20

_ For Rachel. It was then the custom to buy or to pay a dowry for a wife. (chap. xxxiv. 12; Osee iii. 2.) Herodotus says, i. 196, that the Babylonians sold their beautiful women as high as possible, and gave part of the price to help off the more deformed. The Turks do the like. (Calmet) --- A few,... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:22

_Friends. Hebrew, Septuagint and Chaldean say, "all the men of that place." He was rich, and, though very greedy, could not well avoid conforming to the custom of making a splendid entertainment on such a joyful occasion. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:24

_A handmaid, by way of dowry, as he did afterwards to Rachel. Both sisters considered it so small, as to say they had nothing, chap. xxxi. 14. --- Lia, who committed a great sin of adultery, though she was more excusable than Laban; inasmuch as she obeyed his order. (Menochius) --- Jacob might justl... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:26

_Custom. This appears to be a false pretext: for all the people saw that Rachel was adorned like the intended bride, (Haydock) and were invited to her wedding. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:30

_Latter. Jacob is the figure of Jesus Christ; who rejected the synagogue, and treated his Church, gathered from all nations, with the utmost affection. (Calmet) --- Lia means "painful or labourious;" and Rachel a sheep; denoting, that a quiet contemplative life must be united with an active one; and... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 29:35

_Juda, "praise or confession." (Calmet) --- Left bearing for a time. (Haydock) --- In the imposition of these names, Lia testified her gratitude to God. (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]

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