Genesis 29:24

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 29:24

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 29:24

And Laban gave - Zilpah his maid - Slaves given in this way to a daughter on her marriage, were the peculiar property of the daughter; and over them the husband had neither right nor power. 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 29:24

And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah —"the Dropping"? (Gesenius), "Myrrh-juice" (Furst)—his maid (according to Gesenius the word is closely connected with an unused root signifying to spread out, hence a maid-servant) for an handmaid . This was in accordance with Oriental custom ( vide Genesis 14:1-24 :61). That Leah obtained only one damsel need not be ascribed to Laban's parsimonious character, but to his already-formed intention to bestow a second on Rachel. 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 29:24

Genesis 29:24. Laban gave unto Leah, Zilpah his maid Sir John Chardin observes, in his MS. note on this verse, “that none but very poor people marry a daughter in the East, without giving her a female slave for a chamber-maid; there being no hired servants there as in Europe.” He says much the same in another note on Tob 10:10 . Harmer, vol. 2. page 366. Genesis 29:25-26 . Behold it was Leah Surely Jacob’s sin in pretending to be Esau, and cheating his own father, would now be brought... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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 29:24

Zilpah. See on Genesis 29:29 . read more

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