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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Genesis 29 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/genesis/29.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/genesis/29-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Genesis 29</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../genesis/28.htm" title="Genesis 28">◄</a> Genesis 29 <a href="../genesis/30.htm" title="Genesis 30">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/genesis/29.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Jacob Meets Rachel</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Jacob journeyed on and reached the territory that belonged to the people who lived in the east.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:1 Lit. sons of the east">a</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>As he was observing a well that had been dug out on the open range, all of a sudden he noticed three flocks of sheep lying there, because shepherds watered their flocks from that well. There was a very large stone that covered the opening of the well, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>and when all the flocks had been gathered there, they would roll away the stone from the opening of the well, water their flocks, and then return the stone to its place covering the opening of the well.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Jacob asked them, “My brothers, where are you from?”</p> <p class="reg">“We’re from Haran,” they answered.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>“Do you happen to know Nahor’s son Laban?” he inquired.</p> <p class="reg">“We do,” they replied.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>So he asked them, “How’s he doing?”</p> <p class="reg">“Very well,” they answered. “As a matter of fact, look over there! That’s his daughter Rachel, coming here with his sheep.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>“Look!” Jacob replied. “The sun<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:7 Lit. day">b</a></span> is still high. It’s not yet time for the flocks to be gathered. Let’s water the sheep, then let them graze.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>But they responded, “We can’t do that until all the sheep have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the opening of the well. Only then can we water the flock.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>While he was still talking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, since she was a shepherdess.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>When Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, accompanied by Laban’s sheep, Jacob approached the well, rolled the stone from the opening of the well, and then watered his mother’s brother Laban’s flock. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to cry out loud. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Jacob told Rachel that he was related to her father, since he was Rebekah’s son, so she ran and told her father.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to meet him. He embraced him, kissed him, and brought him back to his house. Then Jacob told Laban about everything that had happened. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Laban responded, “You certainly are my flesh and blood!”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:14 Lit. bones">c</a></span> So Jacob<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:14 Lit. he">d</a></span> stayed with him for about a month.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:14 Lit. for days of a new month">e</a></span> </p> <p class="heading">Jacob Agrees to Work in Order to Marry Rachel</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Later, Laban asked Jacob, “Should you serve me for free, just because you’re my nephew?<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:15 Lit. brother">f</a></span> Let’s talk about what your wages should be.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Now Laban happened to have two daughters. The older one was named Leah and the younger was named Rachel. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Leah looked rather plain,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:17 Or Leah had weak eyes">g</a></span> but Rachel was lovely in form and appearance. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Jacob loved Rachel, so he made this offer to Laban: “I’ll serve you for seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>“It’s better that I give her to you than to another man,” Laban replied, “so stay with me.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Jacob served seven years for Rachel, but it seemed like only a few days because of his love for her.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Eventually, Jacob told Laban, “Bring me my wife, now that my time of service<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:21 The Heb. lacks of service">h</a></span> has been completed, so I can go be with her.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>So Laban gathered all the men who lived in that place and held a wedding festival.</p> <p class="heading">Laban Deceives Jacob</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>That night Laban took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:23 Lit. him">i</a></span> He had marital relations with her. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Laban also gave his servant woman Zilpah to Leah to be her maidservant. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>The next morning, Jacob<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:25 Lit. he">j</a></span> realized that it was Leah! “What have you done to me?” he demanded of Laban. “Didn’t I serve you for seven years in order to marry Rachel? Why did you deceive me?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>But Laban responded, “It’s not the practice of our place to give the younger one in marriage<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:26 The Heb. lacks in marriage">k</a></span> before the firstborn. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Fulfill the week for this daughter,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:27 Lit. one">l</a></span> then we’ll give you the other one in exchange for serving me another seven years.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>So Jacob completed another seven years’ work, and then Laban<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:28 Lit. he">m</a></span> gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Laban also gave his woman servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her maidservant. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Jacob<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:30 Lit. he">n</a></span> also married Rachel, since he loved her. He served Laban another full seven years’ work for Rachel.</p> <p class="heading">Leah’s Children</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Later, the LORD noticed that Leah was being neglected,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:31 Lit. hated">o</a></span> so he made her fertile, while Rachel remained childless. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Leah conceived, bore a son, and named him Reuben,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:32 The Heb. name Reuben means See, a son">p</a></span> because she was saying, “The LORD had looked on my torture, so now my husband will love me.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>Later, she conceived again, bore a son, and declared, “Because the LORD heard that I’m neglected, he gave me this one, too.” So she named him Simeon.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:33 The Heb. name Simeon means heard">q</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Later, she conceived again and said, “This time my husband will become attached to me, now that I’ve borne him three sons.” So he named him Levi.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:34 The Heb. name Levi means joined">r</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/29-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>Then she conceived yet again, bore a son, and said, “This time I’ll praise the LORD.” So she named him Judah.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="29:35 The Heb. name Judah means praise">s</a></span> </p> <p class="reg">Then she stopped bearing children.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 29:1 Lit. <i>sons of the east</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 29:7 Lit. <i>day</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 29:14 Lit. <i>bones</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 29:14 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 29:14 Lit. <i>for days of a new month</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 29:15 Lit. <i>brother</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 29:17 Or <i>Leah had weak eyes</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 29:21 The Heb. lacks <i>of service</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 29:23 Lit. <i>him</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 29:25 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 29:26 The Heb. lacks <i>in marriage</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 29:27 Lit. <i>one</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 29:28 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 29:30 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 29:31 Lit.<i> hated</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 29:32 The Heb. name <i>Reuben </i>means <i>See, a son</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 29:33 The Heb. name <i>Simeon</i> means <i>heard</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 29:34 The Heb. name <i>Levi </i>means <i>joined</i><br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 29:35 The Heb. name <i>Judah </i>means <i>praise</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../genesis/28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../genesis/30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a 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