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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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 29:31-35

We have here the birth of four of Jacob's sons, all by Leah. Observe, 1. That Leah, who was less beloved, was blessed with children, when Rachel was denied that blessing, Gen. 29:31. See how Providence, in dispensing its gifts, observes a proportion, to keep the balance even, setting crosses and comforts one over-against another, that none may be either too much elevated or too much depressed. Rachel wants children, but she is blessed with her husband's love; Leah wants that, but she is... 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

John Gill

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

And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. As he had given Leah an handmaid he gave Rachel another; and this in the Targum of Jonathan is said to be a daughter of Laban by a concubine also, as the former. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:30

And he went in also unto Rachel ,.... Cohabited with her as his wife: and he loved also Rachel more than Leah ; she was his first love, and he retained the same love for her he ever had; as appears by his willingness to agree to the same condition of seven years' servitude more for her sake, and which he performed as follows: and served with him, yet seven other years ; that is, Jacob served so many years with Laban after he had married his two daughters, and fulfilled the weeks of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:31

And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated ,.... Not properly and simply hated by Jacob, as appears by his doing the duty of an husband to her, but comparatively; she was less loved than Rachel: and there are many things to be said for it; she was not beautiful as Rachel was; she was not Jacob's choice, as she was but imposed upon him through deceit, and he was forced to marry her, or he could not have Rachel his beloved wife: but the Lord had pity on her, and that she might have a share in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 29:32

And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben ,.... That is, "see the son", as if she by this name called upon her husband, her friends, and all about her, to look at him, and view him; perhaps hoping and imagining he might be the famous son, the promised seed, the Messiah that was to spring to Abraham, in the line of Jacob; but if she so thought, she was greatly mistaken; for this son of hers proved unstable, and did not excel; or rather God hath seen or provided a son,... read more

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