Genesis 29

Genesis 29 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter records the conflict between Jacob's wives, Rachel and Leah. This account continues into the next chapter.

Special concepts in this chapter
Shepherds

Although the exact reasoning for the shepherds' unwillingness to give water to the sheep is unknown, it is probable they were being lazy. The actions of these shepherds contrast Jacob's actions.

Kissing

It was common in the ancient Near East for relatives to greet each other with a kiss. There was nothing sexual about this type of kissing.

Marriage

It was customary in the ancient Near East for a man to work for a woman's father in order to earn the right to marry her. It is unknown how common it was for a father to have his younger daughter marry before an older daughter. It was also sinful for Jacob to marry more than one wife. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#sin)

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Genesis 29:1

the people of the east

This means the people of Paddan Aram, which is a land east of the land of Canaan.

Genesis 29:2

and, behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there by it

The word "behold" marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. Your language may have a way of doing this.

For out of that well

"For from that well." This phrase marks a change from the story to background information about how the shepherds watered the flocks. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)

they would water

"the shepherds would water" or "those taking care of the sheep would water"

the well's mouth

Here "mouth" is a way of referring to an opening. Alternate translation: "the opening of the well" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

Genesis 29:3

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Genesis 29:4

Jacob said to them

"Jacob said to the shepherds"

My brothers

This is a polite way to greet a stranger.

Genesis 29:5

Laban son of Nahor

Here "son" refers to a male descendant. Another possible meaning is "Laban the grandson of Nahor."

Genesis 29:6

and, look there, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep

"Now look! Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep"

Genesis 29:7

it is the middle of the day

"the sun is still high in the sky" or "the sun is still shining brightly"

for the flocks to be gathered together

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for you to gather the flocks" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

to be gathered together

This means to gather them together inside a fence for them to stay for the night. The full meaning of this can be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

let them graze

"let them eat grass in the field"

Genesis 29:8

We cannot water them

"We have to wait to water them." This has to do with timing, not permission.

until all the flocks are gathered together

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "until the other shepherds gather their flocks" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

from the well's mouth

Here "mouth" is way of referring to an opening. Alternate translation: "from the well" or "from the opening of the well" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

and we will water the sheep

"then we will water the sheep"

Genesis 29:9

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Genesis 29:10

his mother's brother

"his uncle"

the well's mouth

Here "mouth" is a way of referring to an opening. Alternate translation: "the well" or "the opening of the well" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

Genesis 29:11

Jacob kissed Rachel

In ancient Near East, it is common to greet a relative with a kiss. However, it is normally done between men. If your language has an affectionate greeting for a relative, use that. If not, use what is appropriate.

wept loudly

Jacob weeps because he is so happy. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

Genesis 29:12

her father's relative

"related to her father"

Genesis 29:13

his sister's son

"his nephew"

embraced him

"hugged him"

kissed him

In ancient Near East, it is common to greet a relative with a kiss. However, it is normally done between men. If your language has an affectionate greeting for a relative, use that. If not, use what is appropriate.

Jacob told Laban all these things

"then Jacob told Laban everything he told Rachel"

Genesis 29:14

my bone and my flesh

This phrase means they are directly related. Alternate translation: "my relative" or "a member of my family" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

Genesis 29:15

Should you serve me for nothing ... my relative?

Laban uses a question to emphasize that he should pay Jacob for working for him. The question can be translated as a statement. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "It is certainly right that I should pay you for working for me even though you are my relative." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-litotes)

Genesis 29:16

Now Laban had

The word "now" is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Laban and his daughters. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)

Genesis 29:17

Leah's eyes were tender

Possible meanings are 1) "Leah's eyes were pretty" or 2) "Leah's eyes were plain"

Genesis 29:18

Jacob loved Rachel

Here the word "loved" refers to a romantic attraction between a man and a woman.

Genesis 29:19

than that I should give her to another man

"rather than give her to another man"

Genesis 29:20

and they seemed to him only a few days

"but the time seemed to him to be only a few days"

for the love he had for her

"on account of the love he had for her" or "because of his love for her"

Genesis 29:21

for my days have been completed

The phrase "my days" refers to the seven years Jacob had to work for Laban. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for my days of working for you have been completed" or "For I have completed the length of time that I was to work for you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

so that I may go to her

This is a polite way of referring to having sexual relations with her. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 16:2. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)

Genesis 29:22

made a feast

"prepared a wedding feast." Most likely Laban had others prepare the feast. Alternate translation: "had others prepare a wedding feast" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

Genesis 29:23

who went to her

This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 16:2. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)

Genesis 29:24

Laban gave his female servant Zilpah ... her servant

Here the author gives background information about Laban giving Zilpah to Leah. Most likely he gave Zilpah to Leah before the wedding. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)

Zilpah

This is the name of Leah's female servant. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Genesis 29:25

behold, it was Leah

"Jacob was surprised to see it was Leah in bed with him." The word "behold" here shows that Jacob was surprised by what he saw.

What is this you have done to me?

Jacob uses a question to express his anger and surprise. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I cannot believe you did this to me!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)

Did I not serve you for Rachel?

Jacob uses these questions to express his hurt that Laban had tricked him. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I served you for seven years to marry Rachel!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)

Genesis 29:26

It is not our custom to give

"In our family we do not give"

Genesis 29:27

Complete the bridal week of this daughter

"Finish celebrating Leah's bridal week"

we will give you the other also

The full meaning can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "next week we will give you Rachel also" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

Genesis 29:28

Jacob did so, and completed Leah's week

"And Jacob did what Laban asked, and finished celebrating Leah's bridal week"

Genesis 29:29

Bilhah

This is the name of Rachel's female servant. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Genesis 29:30

Jacob went to Rachel

This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 16:2. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)

he loved Rachel

This refers to the romantic love between a man and a woman.

Genesis 29:31

Leah was not loved

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Jacob did not love Leah" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

not loved

This is an exaggeration to emphasize that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Alternate translation: "loved less than Rachel" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-hyperbole)

so he opened her womb

God causing Leah to be able to become pregnant is spoken of as if God is opening her womb. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

was barren

"was not able to become pregnant"

Genesis 29:32

Leah conceived and bore a son

"Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son"

she called his name Reuben

Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Reuben means 'See, a son.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Yahweh has looked upon my affliction

Leah was experiencing emotional pain because Jacob had rejected her. The abstract noun "affliction" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Yahweh saw that I was suffering" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

Genesis 29:33

Then she conceived

"Then Leah became pregnant"

bore a son

"gave birth to a son"

Yahweh has heard that I am unloved

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has heard that my husband does not love me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

she called his name Simeon

Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Simeon means 'heard.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Genesis 29:34

will my husband be attached to me

"my husband will embrace me"

I have borne him three sons

"I have given birth to three sons for him"

his name was called Levi

Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Levi means 'attached.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

Genesis 29:35

She conceived again

"Leah became pregnant again"

bore a son

"gave birth to a son"

she called his name Judah

Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Judah means 'praise.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)