Genesis 29:1

CHAPTER XXIX

Jacob proceeds on his journey, 1.

Comes to a well where the flocks of his uncle Laban, as well

as those of several others, were usually watered, 2, 3.

Inquires from the shepherds concerning Laban and his family, 4-6.

While they are conversing about watering the sheep, 7, 8,

Rachel arrives, 9.

He assists her to water her flock, 10;

makes himself known unto her, 11, 12.

She hastens home and communicates the tidings of Jacob's arrival

to her father, 12.

Laban hastens to the well, embraces Jacob, and brings him home, 13.

After a month's stay, Laban proposes to give Jacob wages, 14, 15.

Leah and Rachel described, 16, 17.

Jacob proposes to serve seven years for Rachel, 18.

Laban consents, 19.

When the seven years were fulfilled, Jacob demands his wife, 20, 21.

Laban makes a marriage feast, 22;

and in the evening substitutes Leah for Rachel, to whom he gives

Zilpah for handmaid, 23, 24.

Jacob discovers the fraud, and upbraids Laban, 25.

He excuses himself, 26;

and promises to give him Rachel for another seven years of service,

27.

After abiding a week with Leah, he receives Rachel for wife, to

whom Laban gives Bilhah for handmaid, 28, 29.

Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah, and serves seven years for her,

30.

Leah being despised, the Lord makes her fruitful, while Rachel

continues barren, 31.

Leah bears Reuben, 32,

and Simeon, 33,

and Levi, 34,

and Judah; after which she leaves off bearing, 35.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXIX

Verse Genesis 29:1. Then Jacob went on his journey] The original is very remarkable: And Jacob lifted up his feet, and he travelled unto the land of the children of the east. There is a certain cheerfulness marked in the original which comports well with the state of mind into which he had been brought by the vision of the ladder and the promises of God. He now saw that having God for his protector he had nothing to fear, and therefore he went on his way rejoicing.

People of the east.] The inhabitants of Mesopotamia and the whole country beyond the Euphrates are called קדם kedem, or easterns, in the sacred writings.