Genesis 29:24 - Exposition

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.