CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//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" /><title>Genesis 29:18 Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/29-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/01_Gen_29_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 29:18 - Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></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="/vmenus/genesis/29-18.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="/bmc/genesis/29-18.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="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/29.htm">Chapter 29</a> > Verse 18</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><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/29-17.htm" title="Genesis 29:17">◄</a> Genesis 29:18 <a href="/genesis/29-19.htm" title="Genesis 29:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/29.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, &#8220I&#8217ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/29.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/29.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/29.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/29.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, &#8220I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, “I will serve you [as a hired workman] for seven years [in return] for [the privilege of marrying] Rachel your younger daughter.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, “I’ll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, &#8220I&#8217ll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/29.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob loved Rachel; and he said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he answered, "If you will let me marry Rachel, I'll work seven years for you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/29.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jacob loved Rachel; and he said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel. So he offered, "I'll work seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/29.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, "I will work seven years for you, if you will let me marry Rachel." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/29.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel, so he made this offer to Laban: "I'll serve you for seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, ?I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/29.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Since Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel, he said, "I'll serve you seven years in exchange for your younger daughter Rachel."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel. He said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/29.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob loves Rachel and says, “I serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter”:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jacob loveth Rachel, and saith, 'I serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter:'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob will love Rachel, and will say, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy daughter the small.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob being in love with her, said: I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Jacob, loving her, said, “I will serve you for seven years, for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/29.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Because Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob loved Rachel; and he said, I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yaquuv loved Rakhyl and he said, “I shall work for you seven years for Rakhyl, your younger daughter.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jacob loved Rachel; and he said: 'I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob loved Rachel, and said, I will serve thee seven years for thy younger daughter Rachel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/29-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7052" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm">Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Since Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: way·ye·’ĕ·haḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">loved</a> <a href="/hebrew/7354.htm" title="7354: rā·ḥêl (N-proper-fs) -- A wife of Jacob. The same as rachel; Rachel, a wife of Jacob.">Rachel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he answered,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ’e·‘ĕ·ḇā·ḏə·ḵā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">“I will serve</a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: še·ḇa‘ (Number-fs) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">you seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: haq·qə·ṭan·nāh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">for your younger</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: bit·tə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">daughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/7354.htm" title="7354: bə·rā·ḥêl (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A wife of Jacob. The same as rachel; Rachel, a wife of Jacob.">Rachel.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-67.htm">Genesis 24:67</a></span><br />And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-26.htm">Genesis 30:26</a></span><br />Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41</a></span><br />Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2-4</a></span><br />If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. / If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. / If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-10.htm">Ruth 4:10</a></span><br />Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-25.htm">1 Samuel 18:25-27</a></span><br />Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. / When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, / David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/14-12.htm">Judges 14:12-14</a></span><br />“Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. / But if you cannot solve it, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.” “Tell us your riddle,” they replied. “Let us hear it.” / So he said to them: “Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet.” For three days they were unable to explain the riddle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-2</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Proverbs 18:22</a></span><br />He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10</a></span><br />A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/8-7.htm">Song of Solomon 8:7</a></span><br />Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44-46</a></span><br />The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Matthew 20:1-16</a></span><br />“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. / He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. / About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-25.htm">Luke 15:25-32</a></span><br />Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. / So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on. / ‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’ ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.</p><p class="hdg">loved.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Genesis 29:20,30</a></b></br> And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him <i>but</i> a few days, for the love he had to her… </p><p class="hdg">I will serve.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41</a></b></br> Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/34-12.htm">Genesis 34:12</a></b></br> Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Exodus 22:16,17</a></b></br> And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/29-10.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/27-45.htm">I'll</a> <a href="/genesis/29-15.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/27-14.htm">Loved</a> <a href="/genesis/29-17.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/genesis/27-40.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/29-15.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/genesis/25-17.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/genesis/29-15.htm">Work</a> <a href="/genesis/29-16.htm">Younger</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/29-23.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">I'll</a> <a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/29-30.htm">Loved</a> <a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/genesis/29-24.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/29-25.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Work</a> <a href="/genesis/29-26.htm">Younger</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 29</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-1.htm">Jacob comes to the well of Haran.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-9.htm">He becomes acquainted with Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">Laban entertains him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Jacob covenants for Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-23.htm">He is deceived by Laban with Leah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-28.htm">He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Leah bears Reuben;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-33.htm">Simeon;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-34.htm">Levi;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/29-35.htm">and Judah.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/29.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/29.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Since Jacob loved Rachel</b><br>Jacob's love for Rachel is a central theme in this narrative, highlighting the personal and emotional motivations that drive the story. This love is significant as it sets the stage for the unfolding events in Jacob's life. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, marriages were often arranged for economic or social reasons, but Jacob's love for Rachel introduces a personal dimension. This love can be seen as a reflection of the love Christ has for His church, as described in <a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">Ephesians 5:25</a>, where Christ's love is sacrificial and devoted.<p><b>he answered, “I will serve you seven years</b><br>Jacob's offer to serve Laban for seven years is a testament to his commitment and determination. The number seven is often symbolic in the Bible, representing completeness or perfection, as seen in the creation week in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>. This period of service also reflects the customs of the time, where a bride price or dowry was common. Jacob's willingness to work for such an extended period underscores the depth of his love and dedication, paralleling the perseverance and endurance required in the Christian faith, as noted in <a href="/james/1-12.htm">James 1:12</a>.<p><b>for your younger daughter Rachel.”</b><br>The specification of Rachel as the "younger daughter" is crucial, as it sets up the later deception by Laban, who gives Jacob his elder daughter Leah instead. This detail highlights the cultural importance of birth order and marriage customs, where the elder daughter would typically marry first. The narrative foreshadows the challenges and trials Jacob will face, reminiscent of the trials faced by believers, as mentioned in <a href="/1_peter/1-6.htm">1 Peter 1:6-7</a>. Rachel's role in Jacob's life also prefigures the church as the bride of Christ, chosen and beloved, as seen in <a href="/revelation/19-7.htm">Revelation 19:7-9</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob is a key patriarch in the Bible, known for his journey of faith and his role in the lineage of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>The younger daughter of Laban, Jacob's uncle. Rachel is described as beautiful and is the object of Jacob's deep love and affection.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>The brother of Rebekah and the father of Leah and Rachel. He is known for his cunning and manipulative behavior, particularly in his dealings with Jacob.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/haran.htm">Haran</a></b><br>The place where Laban and his family lived. It is where Jacob fled to escape his brother Esau's wrath and where he met Rachel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/seven_years_of_service.htm">Seven Years of Service</a></b><br>The period Jacob agreed to work for Laban in exchange for marrying Rachel. This reflects Jacob's commitment and love for Rachel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_love.htm">The Nature of True Love</a></b><br>Jacob's willingness to serve seven years for Rachel demonstrates the depth and sincerity of true love. True love is patient and willing to make sacrifices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/commitment_and_perseverance.htm">Commitment and Perseverance</a></b><br>Jacob's commitment to work for seven years shows the importance of perseverance and dedication in relationships and in fulfilling one's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_timing_and_plan.htm">God's Timing and Plan</a></b><br>Despite human plans and desires, God's timing is perfect. Jacob's journey reminds us to trust in God's plan, even when it requires patience and endurance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_family_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Family in God's Plan</a></b><br>The account of Jacob and Rachel highlights the significance of family in God's covenantal promises and the unfolding of His plan for His people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_29.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 29</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_7-year_bride_price_custom.htm">Genesis 29:18–20: Is there any historical or archaeological evidence of a seven-year bride price custom? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/summarize_leah_and_rachel's_story..htm">What is the summary of Leah and Rachel's story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_laban_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Laban in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_biblical_norms_affect_women's_marriages.htm">How did biblical cultural norms affect women's marriage choices?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/29.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">thy daughter, the little one, </span>just as Leah, in <a href="/genesis/29-16.htm" title="And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.">Genesis 29:16</a>, is called the <span class= "ital">great one. </span>(See Note on <a href="/genesis/9-24.htm" title="And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him.">Genesis 9:24</a>.) So in <a href="/genesis/44-20.htm" title="And we said to my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.">Genesis 44:20</a>, the phrase "the little one" simply means <span class= "ital">the youngest. </span>Wives had to be purchased in the East (<a href="/genesis/24-53.htm" title="And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.">Genesis 24:53</a>), and as Jacob had brought no rich presents, such as Abraham had sent when seeking a wife for his son, he had only his personal services to offer. As the sale was usually veiled in true Oriental fashion under the specious form of freewill gifts, we shall find that both Leah and Rachel are offended at being thus openly bartered by Laban.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Jacob loved Rachel</span> (it is more than probable that this was an illustration of what is known as "love at first sight" on the part of Rachel as well as Jacob); <span class="cmt_word">and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.</span> Having no property, with which to buy his wife, according to Oriental custom (Kalisch), or to give the usual dowry for her to her father (Keil), - cf. Genesis 14:53; 34:12; <a href="/1_samuel/18-25.htm">1 Samuel 18:25</a>, - Jacob's offer was at once accepted by his grasping uncle, though he was that uncle's "brother" (ver. 15). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/29-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Since Jacob</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲקֹ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">loved</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(way·ye·’ĕ·haḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Rachel,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָחֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7354.htm">Strong's 7354: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rachel -- a wife of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he answered,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֗אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I will serve</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶֽעֱבָדְךָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’e·‘ĕ·ḇā·ḏə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁ֣בַע</span> <span class="translit">(še·ḇa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for your younger</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקְּטַנָּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qə·ṭan·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">daughter</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּתְּךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(bit·tə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Rachel.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרָחֵ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rā·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7354.htm">Strong's 7354: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rachel -- a wife of Jacob</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">OT Law: Genesis 29:18 Jacob loved Rachel (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/29-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 29:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/29-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 29:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>