Jacob Serves Laban for Rachel and Leah (GEN 29:15-30)

[29:15] Laban said to Jacob, “You shouldn't work for me for nothing just because you are my relative. How much pay do you want?”

[29:16] Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger Rachel.

[29:17] Leah had lovely eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

[29:18] Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, “I will work seven years for you, if you will let me marry Rachel.”

[29:19] Laban answered, “I would rather give her to you than to anyone else; stay here with me.”

[29:20] Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her.

[29:21] Then Jacob said to Laban, “The time is up; let me marry your daughter.”

[29:22] So Laban gave a wedding feast and invited everyone.

[29:23] But that night, instead of Rachel, he took Leah to Jacob, and Jacob had intercourse with her. (

[29:24] Laban gave his slave woman Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.)

[29:25] Not until the next morning did Jacob discover that it was Leah. He went to Laban and said, “Why did you do this to me? I worked to get Rachel. Why have you tricked me?”

[29:26] Laban answered, “It is not the custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.

[29:27] Wait until the week's marriage celebrations are over, and I will give you Rachel, if you will work for me another seven years.”

[29:28] Jacob agreed, and when the week of marriage celebrations was over, Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. (

[29:29] Laban gave his slave woman Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maid.)

[29:30] Jacob had intercourse with Rachel also, and he loved her more than Leah. Then he worked for Laban another seven years.

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