Genesis 29:20

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:1-30

28:10-36:43 JACOB ESTABLISHES THE FAMILYJacob’s marriages (28:10-29:30)Before Jacob left Canaan, God appeared to him in a dream. In spite of Jacob’s shameful behaviour, God repeated to him the covenant promises given earlier to Abraham and Isaac, promising also to bring him back safely to Canaan (10-15; cf. 12:1-3; 26:24). In return for God’s favour to him, Jacob promised to be loyal in his devotion and generous in his offerings. He named the place where he met God, Bethel (16-22).From Bethel... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 29:20

served. Compare Hosea 12:12 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 29:13-20

"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. And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for naught? tell me what shall thy wages be? And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 29:20

Genesis 29:20. They seemed unto him but a few days, &c.— The flattering prospect of possessing the lovely Rachel after the seven years, and the endearments of her pleasing company the mean while, rendered that interval of waiting apparently short and light. Some have supposed that Jacob married at the beginning of the seven years; for (they think) otherwise the time would not have appeared short to him. But the text seems quite contrary to this opinion. And we must remember that Rachel was... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 29:1-30

7. Jacob’s marriages and Laban’s deception 29:1-30The long account of Jacob’s relationship with Laban (chs. 29-31) is the centerpiece of the Jacob story (chs. 25-35). It is a story within a story, and it too has a chiastic structure. At its center is the account of the birth of Jacob’s sons, the forefathers of the tribes of Israel (Genesis 29:31-35).Jacob met Rachel at the well and watered the flocks in spite of opposition against doing so. His love for her led him to serve Laban for seven... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 29:13-20

Weak eyes were dull and lacking in luster rather than bright (Genesis 29:17). Fiery eyes were, and still are, considered the height of beauty among Near Eastern people. [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 1:285; von Rad, p. 291.] "Regarding marriage generally, the Nuzi tablets provided that if a man worked over a period of time for the father of a girl whom he wished to marry, then he would have the right to take the girl as his wife." [Note: West, p. 70.] "Seven years was a handsome offer: Jacob was... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:1-35

Jacob in Mesopotamia with LabanThe divine care and blessing promised to Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:15) are illustrated in the narrative of the sojourn of the patriarch at Haran, which apparently lasted for twenty years (Genesis 31:41), after which he returned to the land of promise, blessed with a numerous family, and rich in goods. But equally marked is the severe discipline to which he was subjected in order that the darker features in his character might be purified, and that he might learn... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 29:1-35

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 29:20

(20) They seemed unto him but a few days.—Jacob was at least fifty-seven years of age, but the late marriages hitherto of the patriarchs show that they only slowly arrived at manhood. We need not be surprised, then, at the warmth of his affection, nor was it a passing emotion, but lasted all his life through. This, however, is the last of these late marriages; for Jacob’s sons married when young. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 29:1-35

Rachel the Placid Genesis 29:0 You will meet her type continually in the modern world. Do you not know women who seem to go through life easily? I. When Rachel is keeping her father's sheep at the Well of Haran she sees advancing a young man. It is her cousin Jacob. He has come as a fugitive, flying from his brother's vengeance. Jacob breaks into the red heat of love. He is dazzled by Rachel's beauty. He makes an offer to Laban for the hand of his younger daughter. He promises to serve him for... read more