Genesi 29:35 Commento

This chapter gives us an account of God's providences concerning Jacob, pursuant to the promises made to him in the foregoing chapter. I. How he was brought in safety to his journey's end, and directed to his relations there, who bade him welcome (Gen 29:1-14). II. How he was comfortably disposed of in marriage (v. 15-30). III. How his family was built up in the birth of four sons (Gen 29:31-35). The affairs of princes and mighty nations that were then in being are not recorded in the book of God, but are left to be buried in oblivion; while these small domestic concerns of holy Jacob are particularly recorded with their minute circumstances, that they may be in everlasting remembrance. For "the memory of the just is blessed."

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 29 This chapter informs us of Jacob's coming to a well near Haran, where meeting with some shepherds he inquires after Laban, Gen 29:1; and there also with Rachel his daughter, the shepherds made known to him, and acquainted her who he was, Gen 29:9; upon which she ran to her father, and told him who was at the well, who went forth and brought him to his house, and kindly entertained him, Gen 29:13; with whom he agreed to stay and serve seven years for Rachel his daughter, Gen 29:15; at the end of which Jacob demands his wife, but instead of Rachel, Leah was brought to him as his wife, Gen 29:21; which being discovered, and complained of, it was proposed he should have Rachel also, provided he would serve yet seven years more, to which he agreed, Gen 29:26; and the chapter is concluded with an account of four sons being born to Jacob of Leah, Gen 29:31.

(Verse 35.) And she conceived and bore a son, and she said: Now I will confess to the Lord, and for this reason she called his name Judah. Judah means confession. Therefore, the name confession is derived from the confession. However, here confession is understood as thanksgiving or praise, as often in the Psalms and in the Gospel (Matthew 11:25): I will confess to you, Lord, Father of heaven and earth, that is, I thank you or glorify you.

Jacob proceeds on his journey, Gen 29:1. Comes to a well where the flocks of his uncle Laban, as well as those of several others, were usually watered, Gen 29:2, Gen 29:3. Inquires from the shepherds concerning Laban and his family, Gen 29:4-6. While they are conversing about watering the sheep, Gen 29:7, Gen 29:8, Rachel arrives, Gen 29:9. He assists her to water her flock, Gen 29:10; makes himself known unto her, Gen 29:11, Gen 29:12. She hastens home and communicates the tidings of Jacob's arrival to her father, Gen 29:12. Laban hastens to the well, embraces Jacob, and brings him home, Gen 29:13. After a month's stay, Laban proposes to give Jacob wages, Gen 29:14, Gen 29:15. Leah and Rachel described, Gen 29:16, Gen 29:17. Jacob proposes to serve seven years for Rachel, Gen 29:18. Laban consents, Gen 29:19. When the seven years were fulfilled, Jacob demands his wife, Gen 29:20, Gen 29:21. Laban makes a marriage feast, Gen 29:22; and in the evening substitutes Leah for Rachel, to whom he gives Zilpah for handmaid, Gen 29:23, Gen 29:24. Jacob discovers the fraud, and upbraids Laban, Gen 29:25. He excuses himself, Gen 29:26; and promises to give him Rachel for another seven years of service, Gen 29:27. After abiding a week with Leah, he receives Rachel for wife, to whom Laban gives Bilhah for handmaid, Gen 29:28, Gen 29:29. Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah, and serves seven years for her, Gen 29:30. Leah being despised, the Lord makes her fruitful, while Rachel continues barren, Gen 29:31. Leah bears Reuben, Gen 29:32, and Simeon, Gen 29:33, and Levi, Gen 29:34, and Judah; after which she leaves off bearing, Gen 29:35.

She called his name Judah - יהודה yehudah, a confessor; one who acknowledges God, and acknowledges that all good comes from his hands, and gives him the praise due to his grace and mercy. From this patriarch the Jews have their name, and could it be now rightly applied to them, it would intimate that they were a people that confess God, acknowledge his bounty, and praise him for his grace. Left bearing - That is, for a time; for she had several children afterwards. Literally translated, the original תעמד מלדת taamod milledeth - she stood still from bearing, certainly does not convey the same meaning as that in our translation; the one appearing to signify that she ceased entirely from having children; the other, that she only desisted for a time, which was probably occasioned by a temporary suspension of Jacob's company, who appears to have deserted the tent of Leah through the jealous management of Rachel. The intelligent and pious care of the original inhabitants of the world to call their children by those names which were descriptive of some remarkable event in providence, circumstance of their birth, or domestic occurrence, is worthy, not only of respect, but of imitation. As the name itself continually called to the mind, both of the parents and the child, the circumstance from which it originated, it could not fail to be a lasting blessing to both. How widely different is our custom! Unthinking and ungodly, we impose names upon our offspring as we do upon our cattle; and often the dog, the horse, the monkey, and the parrot, share in common with our children the names which are called Christian! Some of our Christian names, so called, are absurd, others are ridiculous, and a third class impious; these last being taken from the demon gods and goddesses of heathenism. May we hope that the rational and pious custom recommended in the Scriptures shall ever be restored, even among those who profess to believe in, fear, and love God!

THE WELL OF HARAN. (Gen. 29:1-35) Then Jacob went, &c.--Hebrew, "lifted up his feet." He resumed his way next morning with a light heart and elastic step after the vision of the ladder; for tokens of the divine favor tend to quicken the discharge of duty (Neh 8:10). and came into the land, &c.--Mesopotamia and the whole region beyond the Euphrates are by the sacred writers designated "the East" (Jdg 6:3; Kg1 4:30; Job 1:3). Between the first and the second clause of this verse is included a journey of four hundred miles.