Genesis 29 Geneva Bible (1599)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
- Original 16th-century spelling.
1 Then Iaakob lift vp his feete and came into the East countrey.
1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east.
2 And as he looked about, behold there was a well in the field, and lo, three flocks of sheepe lay thereby (for at that well were the flockes watered) and there was a great stone vpon the welles mouth.
2 He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they watered the flocks. The stone on the well’s mouth was large.
3 And thither were all the flockes gathered, and they rolled the stone from the welles mouth, and watered the sheepe, and put the stone againe vpon the welles mouth in his place.
3 There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone back on the well’s mouth in its place.
4 And Iaakob sayde vnto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they answered, We are of Haran.
4 Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?” They said, “We are from Haran.”
5 Then he sayd vnto them, Know ye Laban the sonne of Nahor? Who said, We know him.
5 He said to them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.”
6 Againe he sayd vnto them, Is he in good health? And they answered, He is in good health, and beholde, his daughter Rahel commeth with the sheepe.
6 He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep.”
7 Then he sayd, Lo, it is yet hie day, neither is it time that the cattell shoulde be gathered together: water ye the sheepe and go feede them.
7 He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”
8 But they sayde, We may not vntill all the flocks be brought together, and till men rolle the stone from the welles mouth, that we may water the sheepe.
8 They said, “We can’t, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth. Then we will water the sheep.”
9 While he talked with them, Rahel also came with her fathers sheepe, for she kept them.
9 While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she kept them.
10 And assoone as Iaakob saw Rahel ye daughter of Laban his mothers brother, and the sheepe of Laban his mothers brother, then came Iaakob neere, and rolled the stone from the welles mouth, and watered ye flocke of Laban his mothers brother.
10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
11 And Iaakob kissed Rahel, and lift vp his voyce and wept.
11 Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12 (For Iaakob tolde Rahel, that he was her fathers brother, and that he was Rebekahs sonne) then she ranne and tolde her father.
12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.
13 And when Laban heard tell of Iaakob his sisters sonne, he ranne to meete him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house: and he tolde Laban all these things.
13 When Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things.
14 To whome Laban sayd, Well, thou art my bone and my flesh. and he abode with him the space of a moneth.
14 Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month.
15 For Laban sayde vnto Iaakob, Though thou be my brother, shouldest thou therfore serue me for nought? tell me, what shalbe thy wages?
15 Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?”
16 Now Laban had two daughters, the elder called Leah, and the yonger called Rahel.
16 Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 And Leah was tender eyed, but Rahel was beautifull and faire.
17 Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.
18 And Iaakob loued Rahel, and sayde, I will serue thee seuen yeeres for Rahel thy yonger daughter.
18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”
19 Then Laban answered, It is better that I giue her thee, then that I should giue her to another man: abide with me.
19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”
20 And Iaakob serued seuen yeres for Rahel, and they seemed vnto him but a few dayes, because he loued her.
20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.
21 Then Iaakob sayde to Laban, Giue me my wife, that I may goe in to her: for my terme is ended.
21 Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.”
22 Wherefore Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
23 But whe the euening was come, he tooke Leah his daughter and brought her to him, and he went in vnto her.
23 In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to Jacob. He went in to her.
24 And Laban gaue his mayde Zilpah to his daughter Leah, to be her seruant.
24 Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant.
25 But when the morning was come, behold, it was Leah. Then sayde he to Laban, Wherefore hast thou done thus to mee? did not I serue thee for Rahel? wherfore then hast thou beguiled me?
25 In the morning, behold, it was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”
26 And Laban answered, It is not the maner of this place, to giue the yonger before the elder.
26 Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27 Fulfill seuen yeeres for her, and we wil also giue thee this for the seruice, which thou shalt serue me yet seuen yeeres more.
27 Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for seven more years.”
28 Then Iaakob did so, and fulfilled her seuen yeeres, so he gaue him Rahel his daughter to be his wife.
28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.
29 Laban also gaue to Rahel his daughter Bilhah his mayde to be her seruant.
29 Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.
30 So entred he in to Rahel also, and loued also Rahel more then Leah, and serued him yet seuen yeeres more.
30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years.
31 When the Lord saw that Leah was despised, he made her fruitful: but Rahel was barren.
31 Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
32 And Leah conceiued and bare a sonne, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Because the Lord hath looked vpon my tribulation, now therefore mine husband will loue me.
32 Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.”
33 And she conceiued againe and bare a sonne, and sayde, Because the Lord heard that I was hated, he hath therefore giuen me this sonne also, and she called his name Simeon.
33 She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon.
34 And she conceiued againe and bare a sonne, and said, Now at this time wil my husband keepe mee company, because I haue borne him three sonnes: therefore was his name called Leui.
34 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.
35 Moreouer shee conceiued againe and bare a sonne, saying, Nowe will I prayse the Lord: therefore shee called his name Iudah, and left bearing.
35 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time I will praise Yahweh.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Laban
Bethuel's son and Rebekah's brother, who welcomed Abraham's servant, later became Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, deceived him by giving him Leah, and pursued him to Gilead when…
Cited in the guide: Genesis 24:29; Genesis 25:20; Genesis 29:13
Leah
Jacob's first wife, the unloved sister who became mother of six tribes and Dinah.
Cited in the guide: Genesis 29-30
Reuben
Jacob's firstborn, who forfeited his standing by a grave offense.
Cited in the guide: Genesis 29:32; 35:22; 49:3–4
Simeon
A son of Leah whose fierce anger drew his father's rebuke.
Cited in the guide: Genesis 29:33; 34; 49:5–7
Cross references (32)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Judges 6:3; Hosea 12:12; Judges 6:33; Psalm 119:32; Psalm 119:60
- 2 John 4:14; John 4:6; Isaiah 49:10; Revelation 7:17; Song of Songs 1:6–7
- 4 Genesis 28:10; Genesis 27:43; Genesis 11:31; Genesis 24:10; Acts 7:2
- 5 Genesis 24:29; Genesis 24:24; Genesis 31:53
- 6 Genesis 43:27; 2 Samuel 20:9; 1 Samuel 17:22; Exodus 18:7; Genesis 37:14
- 7 Ephesians 5:16; Galatians 6:9–10
- 8 Mark 16:3; Luke 24:2; Genesis 34:14; Genesis 29:3; Genesis 43:32
- 9 Exodus 2:21; Song of Songs 1:7–8; Exodus 2:15–16; Genesis 24:15
- 10 Exodus 2:17
- 11 Genesis 33:4; Genesis 45:2; Genesis 43:30; Genesis 45:14–15; Genesis 29:13
- 12 Genesis 24:28; Genesis 13:8; Genesis 14:14–16
- 13 Genesis 24:29; Luke 7:45; Acts 20:37; Exodus 18:7; Genesis 45:15
- 14 2 Samuel 19:12–13; Genesis 2:23; Judges 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1; Genesis 29:12
- 15 Genesis 30:28; Genesis 31:7
- 16 Ruth 4:11; Genesis 49:31; Genesis 30:19; Genesis 31:4; Genesis 29:25–32
- 17 Genesis 12:11; Genesis 35:19–20; Genesis 29:18; 1 Samuel 10:2; Genesis 35:24
- 18 Hosea 12:12; Exodus 22:16–17; Genesis 34:12; Hosea 3:2; 2 Samuel 3:14
- 19 Isaiah 6:11; Isaiah 6:5; Psalm 12:2
- 20 1 Corinthians 13:7; Hosea 12:12; Ephesians 5:2; Song of Songs 8:6–7; Genesis 24:67
- 21 Judges 15:1; Genesis 4:1; Genesis 38:16; Matthew 1:18; Genesis 31:41
- 22 Revelation 19:9; Judges 14:10–18; Matthew 25:1–10; Matthew 22:2–10; Ruth 4:10–13
- 23 Micah 7:5; Genesis 24:65; Genesis 38:14–15
- 24 Genesis 16:1; Genesis 30:9–12; Genesis 46:18; Genesis 24:59
- 25 Matthew 7:2; Proverbs 11:31; Genesis 27:35–36; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Revelation 3:19
- 27 Leviticus 18:18; Judges 14:12; Judges 14:10; Genesis 2:2–3; Genesis 8:10–12
- 29 Genesis 29:24; Genesis 35:22; Genesis 30:3–8; Genesis 35:25; Genesis 37:2
- 30 Genesis 31:41; Genesis 44:27; Matthew 10:37; Genesis 29:20; Genesis 29:18
- 31 1 Samuel 2:21; Psalm 127:3; Genesis 20:18–21:2; Deuteronomy 21:15; Genesis 30:1–2
- 32 Deuteronomy 26:7; Exodus 4:31; Exodus 3:7; 1 Samuel 1:11; Genesis 42:27
- 33 Genesis 34:25; Genesis 30:8; Genesis 42:24; Genesis 35:23; Genesis 30:6
- 34 Exodus 32:26–29; Genesis 49:5–7; Numbers 18:2–4; Genesis 46:11; Genesis 34:25
- 35 Matthew 1:2; Genesis 49:8–12; 1 Chronicles 5:2; Genesis 35:26; Deuteronomy 33:7
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
For let us remember Jacob who before he received Rachel, said to Laban, Give me my wife.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)