Genesis-Chapter-29
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this
site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this
site I may use any of the following three versions of
the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish
Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred
version!
Colour coded details of our
beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations
of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and
history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having
been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following
truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER
SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep
the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
“Genesis Chapter 29”
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Genesis
Chapter 29 marks a pivotal transition in the life of Jacob. Having fled his
home to escape Esau’s wrath, he arrives in
YYYYYYY
Let us
read Exodus Chapter 29, verses 1 to 35, but below the verses are the relevant
Explanation’s. (The
Chapter hails from JPS-1917 version of the Torah).
Verses 1-3: Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east. And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they watered the flocks. And the stone upon the well’s mouth was great. And thither were all the flocks gathered; and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone back upon the well's mouth in its place.
Explanation Verses 1-3, Jacob arrives at the well in the “land of the children of the east”. The heavy stone on the mouth of the well serves as a physical barrier that requires communal effort, highlighting the importance of cooperation and the specific local customs Jacob must now navigate.
Verses 4-8: And Jacob said unto them: ‘My brethren,
whence are ye?’ And they said: ‘Of
Explanation Verses 4-8, Jacob initiates a conversation with the local shepherds, showing his character as one who seeks connection and clarity. His inquiry about Laban’s welfare and his advice regarding the timing of watering the sheep demonstrates his practical wisdom and his focus on the well-being of the flocks.
Verses 9-12: While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she tended them. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son; and she ran and told her father.
Explanation Verses 9-12, The arrival of Rachel, Laban’s daughter, is a moment of immediate significance. Jacob’s display of strength in rolling the stone away single-handedly is an act of deep emotion and service. His weeping and subsequent identification of himself as her kinsman show the relief and joy of finding his family.
Verses 13-14: And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. And Laban said to him: ‘Surely thou art my bone and my flesh’. And he abode with him the space of a month.
Explanation Verses 13-14, Laban’s reception of Jacob is initially warm and familial. By identifying Jacob as his “bone and his flesh”, Laban acknowledges the blood bond, inviting him into his household for a month, which establishes the baseline for their future relationship.
Verses 15-20: And Laban said unto Jacob: ‘Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?’ Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. And Leah’s eyes were weak; but Rachel was of beautiful form and fair to look upon. And Jacob loved Rachel; and he said: ‘I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter’. And Laban said: ‘It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man; abide with me’. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
Explanation Verses 15-20, The negotiation for Rachel’s hand in marriage reveals the depth of Jacob’s devotion. He willingly commits to seven years of labour, which felt like “but a few days” because of his love. This sets a high standard for commitment, though it also places Jacob in a subordinate position to Laban.
Verses 21-25: And Jacob said unto Laban: ‘Give me my wife, for my days are filled, that I may go in unto her’. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. And Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid unto his daughter Leah for a handmaid. And it came to pass in the morning that, behold, it was Leah; and he said to Laban: ‘What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?’
Explanation Verses 21-25, The climax of the wedding night is marked by Laban’s deception. By substituting Leah for Rachel under the cover of darkness and veils, Laban exploits the very customs of the land Jacob had been trying to honour. Jacob’s shock upon realizing the switch in the morning highlights the irony of the deceiver being deceived.
Verses 26-30: And Laban said: ‘It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the first-born. Fulfil the week of this one, and we will give thee the other also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years’. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week; and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife. And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her handmaid. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.
Explanation Verses 26-30, Laban justifies his actions using the “custom of our place” prioritizing the elder daughter’s marriage. Jacob is forced to complete Leah’s wedding week before receiving Rachel, at the cost of another seven years of labour. This creates a household of competition and divided affection from the outset.
Verses 31-35: And יְהוָה - the LORD saw
that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. And
Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said:
‘Because יְהוָה - the LORD hath
looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me’. And
she conceived again, and bore a son; and said: ‘Because יְהוָה - the
LORD hath heard that I am hated, He hath therefore given me this son also’. And
she called his name Simeon. And she conceived again, and
bore a son; and said: ‘Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because
I have borne him three sons’. Therefore was his name called Levi. And she conceived again, and bore
a son; and she said: ‘This time will I praise יְהוָה - the
LORD’. Therefore she called his name
Explanation Verses
31-35, the focus shifts to the births of Leah’s
sons. Leah’s naming of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and
YYYYYYY
My
Closing Message:
The
narrative of Genesis 29 illustrates the profound complexities of family,
labour, and the consequences of one’s environment. Jacob, who once sought to
gain through guile, finds himself navigating a world where he must endure
through patience and hard work. While the chapter ends with personal tensions
between Leah and Rachel, it simultaneously records the foundation of the tribes
of
YYYYYYY
Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!
This site was originally created, for those
who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work
on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and
always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance,
for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He!
However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me,
and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts” Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
YYYYYYY
“Hebraic Studies” motto
is as follows;
“The More
Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD
of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat,
as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and
continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens,
PhD.
Enter ...
http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm
Enter ...
https://www.hebraicstudies.net
-hebraicstudies.net-
Email the Rabbi
If the email link does not
open - You can also copy the link and use it.
Although the author does not believe in
having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,
but there have been occasions where there
parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context
under my name, and thus he has been
misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.
Thus, it is only for this reason these
works are fully covered under strict ...
Copyright © 2025 - “Hebraic Studies” - All rights reserved.