Genesis 29:20-28

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 29:20

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:21

And Jacob said unto Laban, give me my wife ,.... Meaning Rachel, who was his wife by contract; the conditions of her being his wife were now fulfilled by him, and therefore he might challenge her as his wife: for my days are now fulfilled ; the seven years were up he agreed to serve him for his daughter; and therefore it was but just and right she should be given him: that I may go in unto her ; as his lawful wife, and it was high time Jacob had her; for he was now, as the Jewish... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:22

And Laban gathered together all the men of the place ,.... Of the city of Haran, which may be understood of the chief and principal of them, to make the marriage of his daughter public and authentic: and made a feast ; a marriage or marriage feast, as the Septuagint version, see Matthew 22:2 ; which was usual, when a marriage was solemnized, expressive of joy on that account. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:23

And it came to pass in the evening ,.... After the feast was over, and the guests were departed; when it was night, a fit season to execute his designs, and practise deceit: that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him , to Jacob, in his apartment, his bedchamber, or to him in bed: for it is still the custom in some eastern countries for the bridegroom to go to bed first, and then the bride comes, or is brought to him in the dark, and veiled, so that he sees her not: so the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:24

And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid, for an handmaid. It was usual to have many given them at this time, as Rebekah seems to have had, Genesis 24:59 ; but Leah had but one, and this was all the portion Jacob had with her. The Targum of Jonathan is,"and Laban gave her Zilpah his daughter, whom his concubine bore unto him:'hence the Jews say F17 Pirke Eliezer, c. 36. , that the daughters of a man by his concubines are called maids. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:25

And it came to pass, that, in the morning, behold, it was Leah ,.... The morning light discovered her, and her veil being off, her tender eyes showed who she was: it is much her voice had not betrayed her; but perhaps there might be a likeness of voice in her and her sister; or she might keep silence, and so not be discovered in that way; but to excuse her from sin is not easy, even the sin of adultery and incest. Manythings may be said indeed in her favour, as obedience to her father,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:26

And Laban said, it must not be so done in, our country ,.... Or "in our place" F19 במקומנו "in loco nostro", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; ; in this our city it is not usual and customary to do so; he does not deny what he had done in beguiling him, nor the agreement he had made with him, but pleads the custom of the place as contrary to it: to give the younger , that is, in marriage: before the firstborn ; but it does not appear there was any such custom, and it was a mere... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:27

Fulfil her week ,.... Not Rachel's week, or a week of years of servitude for her, but Leah's week, or the week of seven days of feasting for her marriage; for a marriage feast used to be kept seven days, according to the Jewish writers F20 T. Hieros. Moed Katon, fol. 80. 4. Pirke Eliezer, c. 16, 36. , and as it seems from Judges 14:17 ; and the Targum of Jerusalem fully expresses this sense,"fulfil the week of the days of the feast of Leah;'and to the same sense the Targum of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:28

And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week ,.... The week of the days of the feast of Leah, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; he agreed to it; during which time he cohabited with Leah as his wife, and which confirmed the marriage: how justifiable this was, must be left. The marrying of two sisters was forbidden by the law of Moses, Leviticus 18:18 ; and polygamy was not allowed of in later times, and yet both were dispensed with in times preceding; and there seems to be an overruling... read more

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