Genesis 29:17-18 NIV

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 29:17

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:18

Verse 18 18.I will serve thee seven years. The iniquity of Laban betrays itself in a moment; for it is a shameful barbarity to give his daughter, by way of reward, in exchange for Jacob’s services, making her the subject of a kind of barter. He ought, on the other hand, not only to have assigned a portion to his daughter, but also to have acted more liberally towards his future son-in-law. But under the pretext of affinity, he defrauds him of the reward of his labor, the very thing which he had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:1-35

Jacob among his mother's kindred. Taught by experience to be patient. His own craft reflected in Laban. Lessons to be learned. I. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TEACHING OF GOD IN THE INNER MAN AND HIS LEADINGS IN PROVIDENCE . Jacob learned what he needed to learn—dependence, self-humiliation. Saw the evil of selfishness; understood that the Divine purposes must not be identified in our thought with our personal feelings and desires. We must wait on God to know what... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:15-30

Jacob and Laban, or the deceiver deceived. I. JACOB 'S CONTRACT WITH LABAN . The promised service —seven years of pastoral assistance. 2. The stipulated wages—Rachel in marriage as a wife. This part of the contract was— II. LABAN 'S DECEPTION OF JACOB . 1. The just request . "Give me my wife." "The laborer is worthy of his hire," and the servant is entitled to his wages. 2. The marriage festival . "Laban made a feast." Seemingly assenting to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:17

Leah was tender eyed . Literally, the eyes of Leah were tender , i . e . weak, dun; ἀσθενεῖς ( LXX .), lippi (Vulgate); cf. 1 Samuel 16:12 . Leah's face was not ugly (Bohlen), only her eyes were not clear and lustrous, dark and sparkling, as in all probability Rachel's were (Knobel). But Rachel was beautiful and well favored . Literally, beautiful in form ( i . e . in outline and make of body; cf. Genesis 39:6 ; also 1 Samuel 16:18 —"a man of form," i . e . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:18

And Jacob loved Rachel (it is more than probable that this was an illustration of what is known as "love at first sight" on the part of Rachel as well as Jacob); and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. Having no property, with which to buy his wife, according to Oriental custom (Kalisch), or to give the usual dowry for her to her father (Keil),—cf. Genesis 14:1-24 :53; Genesis 34:12 ; 1 Samuel 18:25 ,—Jacob's offer was at once accepted by his grasping... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 29:1-35

- Jacob’s Marriage6. רחל rāchēl, Rachel, “a ewe.”16. לאה lê'âh, Leah, “wearied.”24. זלפה zı̂lpâh, Zilpah, “drop?”29. בלהה bı̂lhâh, Bilhah, “timidity.”32. ראוּבן re'uvbēn, Reuben, “behold a son.” A paronomasia in allusion to the phrase בעניי ראה be‛ānyı̂y rā'âh. Derivatives and compounds, being formed by the common speaker, are sometimes founded upon resemblance in sound, and not always on precise forms of the original sentence which prompted them.33. שׁמעין shı̂m‛ôn, Shim‘on,... read more

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

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

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:1-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:15-30

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 29:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 29:1-35

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