ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Genesis 29

Gen. 29:1–14 There are similarities between this passage and the earlier journey of Abraham’s servant to Paddan-aram to find a wife for Isaac (ch. 24). While both accounts involve providential encounters at a well, Abraham’s servant prayed for guidance, but the text says nothing about Jacob praying.

Gen. 29:1 The people of the east is an unusual way of referring to the inhabitants of Paddan-aram in northwest Mesopotamia. In Genesis, the “east” is often associated with those who are expelled or move away from God’s presence (3:23–24; 4:16; 21:14; 25:6). This brief description may indicate that Jacob’s relatives do not worship the Lord.

Gen. 29:4–6 When Jacob discovers that the shepherds are from Haran, he asks about his uncle, Laban the son of Nahor. Strictly speaking, Laban is Nahor’s grandson. The Hebrew term for “son” may indicate any male descendant.

Gen. 29:6 Providentially, Laban’s daughter Rachel is bringing her herd to the well. Rachel means “ewe,” an appropriate name for a shepherdess (v. 9).

Gen. 29:10 Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth. Jacob demonstrates great strength in being able to move the stone.

Gen. 29:11 Jacob kissed Rachel, probably showing family affection rather than feelings of romance (compare v. 13).

Gen. 29:18 I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel. In the ancient Near East it was customary for a prospective husband to give the bride’s father a substantial gift of money, known as the bride-price. Jacob offers to work for Laban to give the equivalent of seven years’ wages for Rachel.

Gen. 29:22 made a feast. Feasting was an important element of ancient Near Eastern weddings.

Gen. 29:23 in the evening. It was dark or nearly dark when Leah was introduced to Jacob for the consummation of their marriage. In a world without artificial lighting, darkness can be pitch-black. Jacob did not realize that Leah was the bride. She may also have come to him wearing a veil, the sign of a betrothed woman (see 24:65).

Gen. 29:25 Only in the morning does Jacob realize he has been deceived.

Gen. 29:26 to give the younger before the firstborn. Laban’s remarks are highly ironic in light of Jacob’s earlier deception of his father.

Gen. 29:27 Complete the week of this one. The wedding celebrations lasted for seven days. Laban persuades Jacob to complete this process with Leah, with the understanding that that he will then be able to marry Rachel. This would also give opportunity for Leah to conceive a child. Jacob will have to work for another seven years to pay the bride-price for Rachel.

Gen. 29:31 When the Lord saw that Leah was hated. From the beginning, Jacob had loved Rachel (v. 18). He probably found it difficult to love Leah, given the events that had brought them together. Rachel probably loathed her sister for the same reason. Yet their treatment of Leah causes the Lord to favor her with children, while Rachel is barren. As Genesis frequently shows, the Lord is ultimately the One who creates human life.

Gen. 29:32–35 Leah bears Jacob four sons. As the esv footnotes reveal, each son’s name is a wordplay on Leah’s comment after his birth.