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Genesis 29:19 Laban replied, "Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me."
<!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 29:19 Laban replied, "Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/29-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/01_Gen_29_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 29:19 - Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Laban replied, Better that I give her to you than to another. 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Stay here with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/29.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Agreed!” Laban replied. “I’d rather give her to you than to anyone else. Stay and work with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/29.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/29.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/29.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Laban said, <i>It is</i> better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/29.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Laban said, “<i>It is</i> better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/29.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/29.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man; stay with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/29.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than to give her to another man; stay with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/29.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Laban said, “It is better that I give her [in marriage] to you than give her to another man. Stay <i>and</i> work with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/29.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/29.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay with me.” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/29.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/29.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Laban replied, "It's better for me to let you marry Rachel than for someone else to have her. So stay and work for me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/29.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/29.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Laban responded, "It's better that I give her to you than to any other man. Stay with me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/29.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Laban answered, "I would rather give her to you than to anyone else; stay here with me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/29.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"It's better that I give her to you than to another man," Laban replied, "so stay with me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/29.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Laban replied, ?Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/29.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Laban replied, "I'd rather give her to you than to another man. Stay with me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/29.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/29.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/29.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/29.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Laban says, “It is better for me to give her to you than to give her to another man; dwell with me”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/29.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Laban saith, 'It is better for me to give her to thee than to give her to another man; dwell with me;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/29.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Laban will say, Good for me to give her to thee rather than for me to give her to another man. Dwell with me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/29.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Lahan answered: It is better that I give her thee than to another man; stay with me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/29.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Laban responded, “It is better that I give her to you than to another man; remain with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/29.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Laban replied, “It is better to give her to you than to another man. Stay with me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/29.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/29.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Laban said to him, It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man; abide with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/29.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Laban said to him, “Better that I give her to you than that I give her to another man. Stay with me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/29.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Laban said: 'It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man; abide with me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/29.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Laban said to him, <i>It is</i> better that I should give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man; dwell with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/29-19.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=7059" 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">18</span>Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3837.htm" title="3837: lā·ḇān (N-proper-ms) -- Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob. The same as laban; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert.">Laban</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.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">“Better</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tî (V-Qal-Inf:: 1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">that I give</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">her</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">to you</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: mit·tit·tî (Prep-m:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">than</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: lə·’îš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: ’a·ḥêr (Adj-ms) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">to another.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: šə·ḇāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">Stay here</a> <a href="/hebrew/5978.htm" title="5978: ‘im·mā·ḏî (Prep:: 1cs) -- Along with, against, by, from">with me.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.…<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/24-51.htm">Genesis 24:51</a></span><br />Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-58.htm">Genesis 24:58-60</a></span><br />They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied. / So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. / And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-2.htm">Genesis 28:2</a></span><br />“Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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/31-15.htm">Genesis 31:15</a></span><br />Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered what was paid for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></span><br />For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/34-12.htm">Genesis 34:12</a></span><br />Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift, and I will give you whatever you ask. Only give me the girl as my wife!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-21.htm">Exodus 2:21</a></span><br />Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.<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/18-17.htm">1 Samuel 18:17</a></span><br />Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-27.htm">1 Samuel 18:27</a></span><br />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="/1_samuel/25-40.htm">1 Samuel 25:40-41</a></span><br />When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-14.htm">2 Samuel 3:14</a></span><br />Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Matthew 1:18-20</a></span><br />This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. / Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. / But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-2.htm">Matthew 22:2</a></span><br />“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Laban said, It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2</a></b></br> They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: <i>with</i> flattering lips <i>and</i> with a double heart do they speak.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5,11</a></b></br> Then said I, Woe <i>is</i> me! for I am undone; because I <i>am</i> a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/27-44.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/revelation/3-15.htm">Better</a> <a href="/genesis/26-2.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/genesis/29-16.htm">Laban</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/44-33.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/exodus/14-12.htm">Better</a> <a href="/genesis/30-20.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/genesis/29-21.htm">Laban</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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>Laban replied</b><br>Laban, the brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel, is a key figure in the narrative of Jacob. His interactions with Jacob are marked by cunning and self-interest, reflecting the complex family dynamics and the theme of deception that runs through the patriarchal narratives. Laban's response here is part of a larger negotiation process, typical of ancient Near Eastern customs, where marriages were often arranged through family agreements.<p><b>Better that I give her to you than to another.</b><br>This phrase reflects the cultural practice of arranged marriages, where family alliances and the preservation of wealth and property within the family were prioritized. Laban's statement suggests a preference for keeping the marriage within the extended family, which was common in ancient times to maintain tribal and familial bonds. This also foreshadows the eventual complications in Jacob's marriages, as Laban's intentions are not entirely transparent.<p><b>Stay here with me.</b><br>Laban's invitation for Jacob to stay indicates a period of service that Jacob would render in exchange for marrying Rachel. This reflects the custom of bride service, where a prospective groom would work for the bride's family as a form of dowry. The phrase also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's providential plan, as Jacob's extended stay with Laban leads to the fulfillment of God's promises to him, despite the trials and deceptions he faces. This period of service can be seen as a time of character development for Jacob, paralleling the refining processes that believers undergo.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>Laban is the brother of Rebekah and the father of Leah and Rachel. He is a key figure in Jacob's life, known for his cunning and manipulative nature.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, is in Haran to find a wife from his mother's family. He falls in love with Rachel, Laban's younger daughter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>Rachel is the younger daughter of Laban, whom Jacob loves and desires to marry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/haran.htm">Haran</a></b><br>The place where Laban and his family live, and where Jacob has traveled to find a wife.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/marriage_agreement.htm">Marriage Agreement</a></b><br>The event in this verse is the agreement between Laban and Jacob regarding Jacob's marriage to Rachel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/family_and_marriage.htm">Family and Marriage</a></b><br>The importance of family involvement in marriage decisions is evident. In biblical times, marriages were often arranged with family input, reflecting the communal nature of life and decision-making.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_agreements.htm">Integrity in Agreements</a></b><br>Laban's agreement with Jacob highlights the need for integrity in our commitments. As Christians, we are called to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no."<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite human manipulation and deceit, God's plans prevail. Jacob's journey and experiences in Haran are part of God's larger plan for the nation of Israel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/patience_and_perseverance.htm">Patience and Perseverance</a></b><br>Jacob's willingness to work for seven years for Rachel demonstrates patience and perseverance, qualities that are essential in our walk with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>Jacob's account reminds us to trust in God's timing and provision, even when circumstances seem challenging or unfair.<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/who_was_simeon_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Simeon in the Bible?</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/could_jacob_be_tricked_into_marrying_leah.htm">Genesis 29:23-25: Is it believable that Jacob could be deceived into marrying Leah instead of Rachel without noticing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/names_and_meanings_of_israel's_tribes.htm">What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?</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>(19) <span class= "bld">It is better that I give her to thee.</span>--It is still the custom among the Arabs to prefer a relative as the husband of a daughter, and on giving a moderato dowry the elder cousins can claim the elder daughters in marriage, and the younger the younger. Thus Jacob, as the second son, had a claim upon Rachel. The Rabbins even say that Leah's eyes were weak from weeping, because Esau had not come to marry her. This absurd idea bears witness, nevertheless, to the custom of the intermarriage of cousins being an established rule, and gives a reason for Laban's acceptance of Jacob as the husband of his younger child. As Jacob offered seven years' service for Rachel, and gave a second seven years' service for her after he had been tricked into taking Leah, we may conclude that the length of time was not unreasonable.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/29.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man</span>. Orientals commonly prefer alliances within the circle of their own relatives. Burckhardt, Volney, Layard, and Lane testify that this is still the case among the Bedouins, the Druses, and other Eastern tribes. <span class="cmt_word">Abide with me</span> - a formal ratification of the compact on the part of Laban. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/29-19.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">Laban</span><br /><span class="heb">לָבָ֗ן</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḇān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3837.htm">Strong's 3837: </a> </span><span class="str2">Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</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">“Better</span><br /><span class="heb">ט֚וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I give</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹתָ֣הּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֔ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">than</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתִּתִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mit·tit·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to another.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֵ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hinder, next, other</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Stay here</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁבָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with me.”</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמָּדִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mā·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5978.htm">Strong's 5978: </a> </span><span class="str2">Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto, </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/29-19.htm">Genesis 29:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/29-19.htm">OT Law: Genesis 29:19 Laban said It is better that (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 29:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/29-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 29:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 29:20" /></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>