Genesis 29:21 Comentariu

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.

And Jacob said unto Laban, give me my wife,.... Meaning Rachel, who was his wife by contract; the conditions of her being his wife were now fulfilled by him, and therefore he might challenge her as his wife: for my days are now fulfilled; the seven years were up he agreed to serve him for his daughter; and therefore it was but just and right she should be given him: that I may go in unto her; as his lawful wife, and it was high time Jacob had her; for he was now, as the Jewish writers generally say (n), and that very rightly, eighty four years of age; and from him were to spring twelve princes, the heads of twelve tribes, which should inhabit the land of Canaan. (n) Bereshit Rabba, sect. 70. fol. 63. 1. Jarchi in loc. and others.

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.

My days are fulfilled - My seven years are now completed, let me have my wife, for whom I have given this service as a dowry.

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.

Jacob said, Give me my wife--At the expiry of the stipulated term the marriage festivities were held. But an infamous fraud was practised on Jacob, and on his showing a righteous indignation, the usage of the country was pleaded in excuse. No plea of kindred should ever be allowed to come in opposition to the claim of justice. But this is often overlooked by the selfish mind of man, and fashion or custom rules instead of the will of God. This was what Laban did, as he said, "It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born." But, then, if that were the prevailing custom of society at Haran, he should have apprized his nephew of it at an early period in an honorable manner. This, however, is too much the way with the people of the East still. The duty of marrying an elder daughter before a younger, the tricks which parents take to get off an elder daughter that is plain or deformed and in which they are favored by the long bridal veil that entirely conceals her features all the wedding day, and the prolongation for a week of the marriage festivities among the greater sheiks, are accordant with the habits of the people in Arabia and Armenia in the present day.

But when Jacob asked for his reward at the expiration of this period, and according to the usual custom a great marriage feast had been prepared, instead of Rachel, Laban took his elder daughter Leah into the bride-chamber, and Jacob went in unto her, without discovering in the dark the deception that had been practised. Thus the overreacher of Esau was overreached himself, and sin was punished by sin.