The Preacher's Homiletical Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 29:15. Because thou art my brother.] That is, my kinsman. This word, like “sister,” “son,” etc., is used with great latitude in the sacred writings.
Genesis 29:17. Leah was tender-eyed—weak-eyed.] “Leah’s eyes were feeble, i.e., dull, without brilliancy and freshness. In the East the clear expressive lustrous eye is accounted the chief feature in female beauty. It was compared to the eyes of a gazelle (1 Samuel 16:12). (Alford)—Beautiful and well-favoured.] Having a fine shape and fine features—beautiful both in form and in appearance.
Genesis 29:18. I will serve thee seven years for Rashel.] It is still the custom in the East to serve for a wife. “Jacob could only pay by service. The daughter was not necessarily sold as a slave; but the parent received a price as a compensation for her rearing and training.” (Jacobus.)—
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 29:15
JACOB’S LOWLY ESTATE
I. Its evidence. Jacob is now found in a mean condition, as is evident from these circ*mstances:—
1. That he is obliged to accept a position of servitude. For the space of one month Jacob served his uncle, but nothing was said with respect to terms. It was not for Jacob to speak on such a subject, for he had nothing to offer except his labour, he was poor and dependent. Jacob could not assume the proud and advantageous position of one who came with pomp, retinue, and riches. It was, therefore, Laban’s part to propose the terms, and Jacob was forced by circ*mstances to accept the humiliating conditions.
2. He is obliged to prostitute the most sacred affections by consenting to a mercenary bargain. Laban demands of Jacob what his wages should be, which gives Jacob an opportunity of declaring his love for Rachel. He had no dowry to offer her, like his father Isaac. He could only purchase her by his labours, a bargain which was rendered possible by primitive custom. It was humiliating to be obliged thus to earn his wife before he could have her. It was degrading the most tender feelings of the heart thus to make them a subject of commercial treaty. In the days of Hosea, when the children of Israel had grown haughty, the prophet reminds them of these degrading circ*mstances concerning their ancestor, “Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.” (Hosea 12:12.)
II. Its consolation. The seven years that Jacob had to serve for Rachel passed away so pleasantly, that they seemed to him but a few days. (Genesis 29:20.) Love lightens and cheers every task of labour and endurance. A week of years was like a week of days to him. Coleridge says, “No man could be a bad man who loved as Jacob loved Rachel.”
III. Its lessons for his posterity. Israel was destined to rise to eminence and power amongst the family of nations. But it was necessary for that people to be reminded of the lowly estate of their forefather. When the Israelite presented his basket of first fruits before the Lord, he was instructed to confess, “A Syrian ready to perish was my father” (Deuteronomy 26:5). The nation was thus taught that all its greatness and prosperity were not due to natural endowments and industry, but to the electing love of God. The strength of His grace was made perfect in weakness.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 29:15. Laban proposes a fixed contract. This may have been only to protect himself against any undue expectations of Jacob. He will pay him like an ordinary servant. Or it may have been in a fair and manly generosity.—(Jacobus).
Jacob was the type of the active, industrious man. He was not an idle guest, but employed himself about his uncle’s business, thus making such return as was in his power for the kindness he received.
Laban pretends love and equity to his covetous aims and reaches. Hypocrites, whatever they pretend, have a hawk’s eye to praise or profit. They must be gainers by their piety or humanity, which must be another Diana to bring gain to the crafts-master. The eagle, when she soareth highest, hath an eye ever to the prey.—(Trapp.)
Genesis 29:16. Daughters in those countries and times were also objects of value, for which their parents were wont to receive considerable presents (Genesis 24:53).—(Murphy).
Genesis 29:18. He had nothing to endow her with; he would therefore earn her with his hard labour, which, as it shows Laban’s churlishness to suffer it, and his baseness to make a prize and a prey of his two daughters, so it sets forth Jacob’s meekness, poverty, patience, and hard condition here. He was a man of many sorrows, and from him, therefore, the Church hath her denomination; neither were the faithful ever since called Abrahamites but Israelites.—(Trapp).
We see here the degraded position in which women were regarded among the ancients. They were looked upon merely as slaves or servants; and therefore, as by marriage the father was deprived of his daughter’s services, he always demanded some dowry or compensation; thus, Jacob served seven years to recompense Laban for the loss of his daughter’s services.—(Robertson.)
Genesis 29:19. Jacob, as a younger brother, had an unquestionable claim to Rachel, the youngest daughter of Laban. Among all the Bedouin Arabs at the present day a man has the exclusive right to the hand of his first cousin; he is not obliged to marry her, but she cannot be married to another without his consent.—(Bush.)
Genesis 29:20. This verse beautifully represents Jacob’s lightheartedness in the presence of his beloved. It is wonderful to our minds to remember that these seven years were from the 78th to the 85th year of Jacob’s age.—(Alford.)
No other feeling of the human mind could have shortened and sweetened the term of that lengthened bondage. Ambition, avarice, fear, and a host of similar passions, will all make the bond-slave obedient to the beck of the hardest taskmaster; but there is none, save love, the master passion of the human heart, which can enable its possessor to render not only a willing, but a happy and joyful obedience.—(Blunt.)
And yet lovers’ hours are full of eternity. But love facilitated the service, and made the time seem short. Should anything seem hard or heavy to us, so we may have heaven at length. The affliction is but light and momentary; the glory massy, and for all eternity. Hold out, Faith and Patience. Love is a passion, and seen most in suffering; “much water cannot quench it.” (Song of Solomon 8:7.) Nay, like fire, it devours all delays and difficulties, spending and exhaling itself, as it were, in continual wishes to be at home, “to be with Christ; is far better.” (Philippians 1:23.) Oh, let the eternal weight of the crown weigh down with us the light and momentary weight of the cross.—(Trapp.)
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See also Genesis 29:15-20 in other biblical comments:
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Verse Genesis 29:15. _BECAUSE THOU ART MY BROTHER, C._] Though thouart my nearest relative, yet I have no right to thy services withoutgiving thee an adequate recompense. Jacob had passed a whole m...
Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary
- Jacob’s Marriage6. רחל _rāchēl_, Rachel, “a ewe.”16. לאה _lê'âh_, Leah, “wearied.”24. זלפה _zı̂lpâh_, Zilpah, “drop?”29. בלהה _bı̂lhâh_, Bilhah, “timidity.”32. ראוּבן
Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein
CHAPTER 29 JACOB WITH LABAN_ 1. Jacob's arrival at Padan-aram (Genesis 29:1)_2. His service for Rachel (Genesis 29:15)3. Laban's deception (Genesis 29:21)4. Jacob receives Rachel ...
Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible
JACOB SERVES SEVEN YEARS FOR RACHEL. LABAN SUBSTITUTES LEAH ANDSECURES FOURTEEN YEARS'SERVICE IN EXCHANGE FOR THE TWO. Apart frombits of P (Genesis 29:24; Genesis 29:28_ b_, Genesis 29:29) thesecti...
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Jacob's Marriage with Leah and Rachel15. _Because … brother_ Lit. "art thou a brother, and shouldest thouserve me for nothing?" For "brother," see note on Genesis 29:12. Labanasks Jacob to state o...
co*ke's Commentary on the Holy Bible
AND LABAN SAID, &C.— During the month which Jacob passed with Laban,he shewed so much industry and diligence that Laban was desirous ofretaining his services; he therefore requests to know what sala...
College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2. _Jacob's Double Marriage_ (Genesis 29:13-30)._The Meeting with Laban._ When Laban heard of Jacob's presence, _heran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him tohis house._ T...
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
_AND LABAN SAID UNTO JACOB, BECAUSE THOU ART MY BROTHER, SHOULDESTTHOU THEREFORE SERVE ME FOR NOUGHT? TELL ME, WHAT SHALL THY WAGES BE?_No JFB commentary on this verse....
Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible
JACOB IN MESOPOTAMIA WITH LABANThe divine care and blessing promised to Jacob at Bethel (Genesis28:15) are illustrated in the narrative of the sojourn of thepatriarch at Haran, which apparently las...
Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible
WHAT SHALL THY WAGES BE?] Laban was a covetous man and, as will beseen, took every advantage of Jacob to retain his services....
EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries
GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLEGENESIS_ALUN OWEN_CHAPTER 29JACOB MEETS RACHELV1 Then Jacob continued his journey. He came to the land where thepeople in the east lived. V2 As he looked, he saw a well...
EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries
Genesis does not tell us that Jacob served Laban during the firstmonth. But we can guess that Jacob looked after Laban’s animals. Andthat is why Laban said, ‘You should not serve me without wages.’...
Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible
WHAT SHALL THY WAGES BE? — As Jacob had given upon his arrival afull account of himself (Genesis 29:13), Laban probably expected thevery answer he received; nevertheless, the proposal was fair andu...
Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible
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ETCBC data on Hebrew bible
וַ יֹּ֤אמֶר לָבָן֙ לְ יַעֲקֹ֔ב הֲ כִי
Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary
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G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible
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Gary Hampton Commentaries
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Hawker's Poor man's commentary
How striking is that scripture, in which the Holy Ghost takes noticeof this event: Hosea 12:12. Reader! do not overlook in this preciouslesson, what interest a covenant God takes, in even the seemin...
Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly
Having already shown the position of Isaac, I resume briefly with theremark that he stands before us clearly as the representative of theSon, and this too as dead, risen, and in heaven. All will und...
John Darby's Synopsis
THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 29 THROUGH 35.I have no doubt that in the two wives, as I have said, we have theGentiles and Israel: Rachel first loved on the earth, but notpossessed; but...
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
AND LABAN SAID UNTO JACOB, BECAUSE THOU [ART] MY BROTHER,.... Ornephew, his sister's son, Genesis 29:12:SHOULDEST THOU THEREFORE SERVE ME FOR NOUGHT? nearness of kin was noreason why he should ser...
John Trapp Complete Commentary
_And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou [art] my brother, shouldestthou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what [shall] thy wages[be]?_Ver. 15. _Shouldest thou therefore serve me._] He prete...
Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
_Because thou art my brother_ That is, kinsman; _shouldst thoutherefore serve me for naught?_ Is that reasonable? If Jacob be sorespectful as to give him his service, without demanding anyconsidera...
KJV Original Language Details
1 Iacob commeth to the well of Haran.9 He taketh acquaintance of Rachel.13 Laban enterteineth him.18 Iacob couenanteth for Rachel.23 He is deceiued with Leah.28 He marrieth also Rachel, and...
Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible
Jacob Serves Laban for Rachel...
Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible
And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thoutherefore serve me for naught? Tell me, what shall thy wages be? Jacobhad not been idle during the month after his arrival, but...
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures
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Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible
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Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible
HE DIVIDED HIMSELF, i.e. his forces into several parties, that comingupon them from several quarters he might strike them with greaterterror, whilst they thought his army far more numerous than it w...
Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh
These Chapter s present to us the history of Jacob at least, theprincipal scenes in that history. The Spirit of God here sets beforeus the deepest instruction, first, as to God's purpose of infinite...
Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes
Genesis 29:15 Laban H3837 said H559 (H8799) Jacob H3290 relative H251serve H5647 (H8804) nothing H2600 Tell...
Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
‘And Laban said to Jacob, “Should you serve me for nothing becauseyou are my kinsman? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” 'Once a decent time had passed Laban brings the matter up. He has nowrealis...
Summarized Bible Commentary
CONTENTS: Jacob and Laban, two bargain makers, meet.CHARACTERS: Jacob, Laban, Rachael, Leah, Reuben, Levi, Judah.CONCLUSION: The believer who has erred may not be forsaken of God, buthe is permit...
Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Genesis 29:1. _Jacob went on his journey._ Our version fails here toexpress the lively sense of the Hebrew, as in most versions. _Levabitpedes;_ he tripped along with light feet, being now assured t...
The Biblical Illustrator
_Jacob served seven years for Rachel_JACOB’S LOWLY ESTATEI. ITS EVIDENCE.1. He is obliged to accept a position of servitude.2. He is obliged to prostitute the most sacred affections byconsent...
The Pulpit Commentaries
EXPOSITIONGENESIS 29:15AND LABAN SAID UNTO JACOB (probably at the month's end), BECAUSE THOUART—literally, _is it not that_._ thou art _(cf. Genesis 27:36;...
Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the people ofthe east. And he looked, behold there was a well in the field, and,there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that...
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
tell me. Genesis 30:28 Genesis 31:7...
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
Because thou art my brother — That is, kinsman. Should thoutherefore serve me for nought? — No, what reason for that? If Jacobbe so respectful as to give him his service without demanding anyconsid...
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