Genesis 29:18
16 Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.
17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.
Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
19 Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.”
20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
- KJV
- And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
- WEB
- Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”
- ASV
- And Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
- DARBY
- And Jacob loved Rachel, and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
- BLB
- And Jacob loved Rachel, and he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”
- ÅB
- Og Jakob hadde Rakel kjær; derfor sa han: Jeg vil tjene deg syv år for Rakel, din yngste datter.
- OTB
- Jakob var forelsket i Rakel og sa: «Jeg vil tjene deg i syv år for din yngre datter Rakel.»
- B1930
- Og Jakob hadde Rakel kjær; derfor sa han: Jeg vil tjene dig syv år for Rakel, din yngste datter.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hosea 12:12
Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife— for a wife he tended sheep.
Read in contextExodus 22:16–17
If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife.
Read in contextGenesis 34:12
Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift, and I will give you whatever you ask. Only give me the girl as my wife!”
Read in contextHosea 3:2
So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley.
Read in context2 Samuel 3:14
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.”
Read in contextGenesis 29:20
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.
Read in contextGenesis 29:30
Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.
Read in contextGenesis 31:41
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!
Read in context