Bible Chapter Summary
Genesis 29 Summary
Jacob Arrives, Marries, and Fathers Sons
Jacob travels to the land of the people of the east and arrives at a well in a field near Haran, where he meets shepherds who know his uncle Laban. Rachel, Laban's younger daughter, arrives with her father's flock, and Jacob rolls away the well's stone to water them, then kisses Rachel and weeps upon revealing he is Rebekah's son. Laban welcomes Jacob into his household, and after a month Jacob agrees to serve seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage; however, on the wedding night Laban substitutes his elder daughter Leah, defending the deception by local custom, and Jacob must serve another seven years to receive Rachel as well. Seeing that Leah is unloved, the LORD opens her womb and she bears four sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah—while Rachel remains barren.
Key themes
Key verses
Genesis 29:20
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.”
Genesis 29:25
“And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?”
Genesis 29:31
“And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.”
Genesis 29:35
“And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.”
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