Genesis 29:1-35

1 Iacob commeth to the well of Haran.

9 He taketh acquaintance of Rachel.

13 Laban enterteineth him.

18 Iacob couenanteth for Rachel.

23 He is deceiued with Leah.

28 He marrieth also Rachel, and serueth for her seuen yeeres more.

32 Leah beareth Reuben,

33 Simeon,

34 Leui,

35 and Iudah.

1 Then Iacob [Note: Hebrew: lift up his feet.] went on his iourney, and came into the land of the [Note: Hebrew: children.] people of the East.

2 And he looked, and behold, a well in the field, and loe, there were three flocks of sheepe lying by it: for out of that wel they watered the flocks: and a great stone was vpon the welles mouth.

3 And thither were all the flockes gathered, and they rolled the stone from the wels mouth, & watered the sheepe, and put the stone againe vpon the wels mouth in his place.

4 And Iacob said vnto them, My brethren, whence be ye? and they saide, Of Haran are we.

5 And he said vnto them, Know ye Laban the sonne of Nahor? And they sayde, We knowe him.

6 And he said vnto them, [Note: Hebrew: Is there peace to him?] Is hee well? and they said, He is well: and behold, Rachel his daughter commeth with the sheepe.

7 And hee said, Loe, [Note: Hebrew: yet the day is great.] it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattell

[He meeteth with Rachel, and marieth her.]

should be gathered together: water yee the sheepe, and goe and feed them.

8 And they said, We cannot, vntill all the flockes bee gathered together, and till they rolle the stone from the welles mouth: then wee water the sheepe.

9 And while hee yet spake with them, Rachel came with her fathers sheepe: for she kept them.

10 And it came to passe, when Iacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mothers brother, and the sheepe of Laban his mothers brother; that Iacob went neere, and rolled the stone from the wels mouth, and watered the flocke of Laban his mothers brother.

11 And Iacob kissed Rachel, and lifted vp his voyce, and wept.

12 And Iacob told Rachel, that hee was her fathers brother, and that hee was Rebekahs sonne: and she ranne, and told her father.

13 And it came to passe, when Laban heard the [Note: Hebrew: hearing.] tidings of Iacob his sisters sonne, that he ranne to meete him, and imbraced him, and kissed him, & brought him to his house: and hee tolde Laban all these things.

14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh: and he abode with him the [Note: Hebrew: a moneth of daies.] space of a moneth.

15 And Laban said vnto Iacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serue 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 yonger was Rachel.

17 Leah was tender eyed: but Rachel was beautiful and well fauoured.

18 And Iacob loued Rachel, and said, I will serue thee seuen yeeres for Rachel thy yonger daughter.

19 And Laban said, It is better that I giue her to thee, then that I should giue her to another man: abide with mee.

20 And Iacob serued seuen yeeres for Rachel: and they seemed vnto him but a few dayes, for the loue hee had to her.

21 And Iacob said vnto Laban, Giue me my wife (for my dayes are fulfilled) that I may goe in vnto her.

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

23 And it came to passe in the euening,

[He meeteth with Rachel, and marieth her.]

that he tooke Leah his daughter, and brought her to him, and he went in vnto her.

24 And Laban gaue vnto his daughter Leah, Zilpah his mayde, for a handmayd.

25 And it came to passe, that in the morning, behold it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done vnto mee? did not I serue with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our [Note: Hebrew: place.] countrey, to giue the yonger, before the first borne.

27 Fulfill her weeke, and wee will giue thee this also, for the seruice which thou shalt serue with mee, yet seuen other yeeres.

28 And Iacob did so, and fulfilled her weeke: and he gaue him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

29 And Laban gaue to Rachel his daughter, Bilhah his handmayd, to be her mayd.

30 And hee went in also vnto Rachel, and he loued also Rachel more then Leah, and serued with him yet seuen other yeeres.

31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, hee opened her wombe: but Rachel was barren.

32 And Leah conceiued and bare a sonne, and shee called his name [Note: That is, See a sonne.] Reuben: for she said, Surely, the LORD hath looked vpon my affliction; now therefore my husband will loue me.

33 And shee conceiued againe, and bare a sonne, and saide, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, hee hath therefore giuen mee this sonne also, and she called his name [Note: That is, Hearing.] Simeon.

34 And shee conceiued againe, and bare a sonne, and said, Now this time will my husband be ioyned vnto me, because I haue borne him three sonnes: therefore was his name called [Note: That is, ioyned.] Leui.

35 And shee conceiued againe, and bare a sonne: and she said, Now wil I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name [Note: Matthew 1:2.] [Note: That is, Praise.] Iudah, and [Note: Hebrew: stood from bearing.] left bearing.