Bible Commentary

And Jacob said unto Laban, Give [me] my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. Gen 29:21-28 He took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him Labans fraud on Jacob I. THE CHARACTER OF THE FRAUD. 1. Deliberate. 2. Bold. 3. Selfish. II. THE FRAUD CONSIDERED AS A … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:21”

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him [but] a few days, for the love he had to her. 20. for the love ] These simple and touching words are noticeable for their beauty in a narrative which in many of its details is repulsive to our notions of delicacy. Fuente: … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:20”

And Laban said, [It is] better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 19. It is better ] Laban means that it is in the interests of the family his daughter should be married to one of their own kindred. The marriage of first … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:19”

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. 18. I will serve Rachel ] He has no money to offer; he is ready to give seven years’ service without wages, in order to win Rachel as his bride. He cannot as bridegroom, or suitor, offer the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:18”

Leah [was] tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored. 17. Leah’s eyes were tender ] i.e. weak or soft, wanting in clearness and brilliancy. The eye was the chief feature of Oriental beauty. The versions rather exaggerate the sense. LXX = “weak,” Lat. lippis oculis, Aq. Sym. = “tender.” beautiful and well favoured … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:17”

And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder [was] Leah, and the name of the younger [was] Rachel. 16. Leah ] The meaning of “Leah” is uncertain. According to some scholars, who see in it a totem name, it should be compared with an Arabic word meaning “a wild cow”; according to others, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:16”

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou [art] my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for naught? tell me, what [shall] thy wages [be]? 15 30. Jacob’s Marriage with Leah and Rachel 15. Because brother ] Lit. “art thou a brother, and shouldest thou serve me for nothing?” For “brother,” see note on Gen 29:12. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:15”

And Laban said to him, Surely thou [art] my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. 14. my bone and my flesh ] See note on Gen 2:23, and cf. Gen 37:27. Laban readily acknowledges the relationship which Jacob claims. the space of a month ] Lit. “a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:14”

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. 13. Laban ] According to the P narrative, Gen 26:34, it was over forty years … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:13”

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. 12. her father’s brother ] In the sense of “relative”; strictly speaking, her father’s sister’s son. Cf. Gen 29:15 and Gen 13:8. ran and told ] We are reminded of Rebekah’s action … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 29:12”