創世記 29:15-20 JCB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 29:15-30

Here is, I. The fair contract made between Laban and Jacob, during the month that Jacob spent there as a guest, Gen. 29:14. It seems he was not idle, nor did he spend his time in sport and pastime; but like a man of business, though he had no stock of his own, he applied himself to serve his uncle, as he had begun (Gen. 29:10) when he watered his flock. Note, Wherever we are, it is good to be employing ourselves in some useful business, which will turn to a good account to ourselves or others.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:15

And Laban said unto Jacob, because thou art my brother ,.... Or nephew, his sister's son; see Gill on Genesis 29:12 , shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought ? nearness of kin was no reason why he should serve him freely, or for nothing, but rather why he should be more kind to him than to a stranger, and give him better wages: tell me, what shall thy wages be ? by the day, or month, or year; signifying he was willing to give him anything that was just and reasonable,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:16

And Laban had two daughters ,.... Grown up and marriageable: and the name of the elder was Leah ; which signifies labour or weariness: and the name of the younger was Rachel ; before mentioned, whom Jacob met with at the well, Genesis 29:10 ; and whose name signifies a sheep, as before observed; see Gill on Genesis 29:9 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:17

Leah was tender eyed ,.... Blear eyed, had a moisture in them, which made them red, and so she was not so agreeable to look at; though Onkelos renders the words,"the eyes of Leah were beautiful,'as if her beauty lay in her eyes, and nowhere else: but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured ; in all parts, in the form of her countenance, in her shape and stature, and in her complexion, her hair black, her flesh white and ruddy, as Ben Melech observes. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:18

And Jacob loved Rachel ,.... As he seems to have done from the moment he saw her at the well, being beautiful, modest, humble, affable, diligent, and industrious: and he said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter : signifying, that he desired no other wages for his service than that, that he might have her for his wife, at the end of seven years' servitude, which he was very willing to oblige himself to, on that condition; for having no money to give as a dowry,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:19

And Laban said ,.... Deceitfully, as the Targum of Jonathan adds, pretending great respect for Jacob, and that what he had proposed was very agreeable to him, when he meant to impose upon him: it is better that I should give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man ; by which he not only intimates that he preferred him, a relation, to another man, a stranger; but as if he did not insist upon the servitude for her, but would give her to him; unless he means upon the terms... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:20

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel ,.... The whole term of time, diligently, faithfully, and patiently. Reference is had to this in Hosea 11:12 , and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her ; for though to lovers time seems long ere they enjoy the object beloved; yet Jacob here respects not so much the time as the toil and labour of service he endured in it; he thought that seven years' service was a trifle, like the service of so many days, in comparison... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:15

Because thou art my brother, etc. - Though thou art my nearest relative, yet I have no right to thy services without giving thee an adequate recompense. Jacob had passed a whole month in the family of Laban, in which he had undoubtedly rendered himself of considerable service. As Laban, who was of a very saving if not covetous disposition, saw that he was to be of great use to him in his secular concerns, he wished to secure his services, and therefore asks him what wages he wished to have. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:17

Leah was tender-eyed - רכות raccoth , soft, delicate, lovely. I believe the word means just the reverse of the signification generally given to it. The design of the inspired writer is to compare both the sisters together, that the balance may appear to be greatly in favor of Rachel. The chief recommendation of Leah was her soft and beautiful eyes; but Rachel was תאר יפת yephath toar , beautiful in her shape, person, mien, and gait, and מראה יפת yephath mareh , beautiful in her... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:20

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel - In ancient times it appears to have been a custom among all nations that men should give dowries for their wives; and in many countries this custom still prevails. When Shechem asked Dinah for wife, he said, Ask me never so much - dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me. When Eliezer went to get Rebekah for Isaac, he took a profusion of riches with him, in silver, gold, jewels, and raiment, with other costly things, which,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 29:15-30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:20

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