Genesis 29:11-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 29:9-14

Here we see, 1. Rachel's humility and industry: She kept her father's sheep (Gen. 29:9), that is, she took the care of them, having servants under her that were employed about them. Rachel's name signifies a sheep. Note, Honest useful labour is that which nobody needs be ashamed of, nor ought it to be a hindrance to any one's preferment. 2. Jacob's tenderness and affection. When he understood that this was his kinswoman (probably he had heard of her name before), knowing what his errand was... read more

Matthew Henry

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 29:11

And Jacob kissed Rachel ,.... Which he did in a way of courtesy and civility; this was done after he had acquainted her with his relation to her; he saluted her upon that: and lifted up his voice, and wept ; for joy at the providence of God that had brought him so opportunely to the place, and at the sight of a person so nearly related to him; and who he hoped would be his wife, and was the person designed of God for him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:12

And Jacob told Rachel ,.... Or "had told" F9 ויגד "et puntiaverat", Pagninus, Montanus; "renuntiaverat", Vatablus. her; before he kissed her, and lift up his voice and wept, as Aben Ezra observes: that he was her father's brother ; his nephew by his sister, for such were sometimes called brethren, as Lot, Abraham's brother's son, is called his brother, Genesis 14:12 , and that he was Rebekah's son ; sister to her father, and aunt to her, and whose name and relation she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:13

And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son ,.... That there was such a man at the well, thus related to him, and what he had done there, had rolled away the stone, and watered his flock. The Jewish writers F12 Targ. Jon. in loc. Pirke Eliezer, ut supra. (c. 36.) make this report chiefly to respect his great strength showed in the above instance, with other things: that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:14

And Laban said to him, surely thou art my bone and my flesh ,.... Nearly allied in blood, being his sister's son: and he abode with him the space of a month ; or "a month of days" F13 חדש ימים "mensem dierum", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius, Schmidt. , a full month to a day; all this while feeding his flocks, and doing whatsoever service he had for him to do. 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

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