The Book of Genesis
Chapter 29
Genesis 29:1-4
Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth. And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place. And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
1. Is verse 1 talking of the Far East? (Gen.25:6).
2. How many flocks were beside the well and were they all Laban's?
3. Why do you think the well was covered?
4. Who were "they" in verse 2?
Genesis 29:5-6
And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him. And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
1. Who did Jacob ask after?
2. Did he immediately ask where Laban was, what did he ask?
3. Who was coming with Laban's flock?
Genesis 29:7-8
And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
1. There are 2 things in these verses that have to do with customs..
a) Why couldn't they water the sheep?
b) Who were they waiting for to uncover the well?
The answer to these two customs will help you to know who 'they' were in verse 2 and a little about the property.
Genesis 29:9-10
And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep; for she kept them. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
1. What does it mean "she 'kept' them" in the Hebrew?
2. Instead of saing 'our mother's brother' we say what?
3. What did Jacob do when he saw Rachel coming?
4. How was Rachel related to Jacob?
5. Who watered Laban's sheep?
Genesis 29:11
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
1. Why do you think Jacob wept?
a) He was glad to meet her?
b) He was glad his journey was ended?
c) He thought she was beautiful?
d) He missed his family?
Genesis 29:12-15
And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father. And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
1. What did Laban do when he knew kin had come to visit?
2. What did Laban call Jacob in verse 14?
3. How long had Jacob been with Laban when wages came up?
Genesis 29:16-17
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
1. What were the names of Laban's two daughters?
2. What does 'tender-eyed' mean in Hebrew?
3. What does 'well favored' mean?
Genesis 29:18-19
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
1. What did Jacob ask for?
2. How long did Jacob agree to serve for Rachel?
3. Do you think 'serve' is the correct word, if yes, why and if no, why?
4. Did Laban say 'yes'?
5. What exactly did Laban say?
Genesis 29:20-22
And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
1. In today's slang what does verse 20 say?
2. Did Jacob go to Laban for payment of his wage?
3. What was the first thing Laban did?
Genesis 29:23-25
And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
1. Which daughter did Laban give to Jacob?
2. What did Laban give his daughter Leah?
3. How long did it take Jacob to realize he been 'beguiled'?
4. What does beguild mean?
5. Who else in the first chapters of Genesis was beguild and by whom? (Gen.3:13).
6. Did Jacob understand this kind of subtle deceit? (Gen.27:35).
Genesis 29:26-29
And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
1. Was it the custom at that time to give the older before the younger or an excuse?
2. '..fulfill her (Leah's) week' what does that mean?
3. How long after Jacobs marriage to Leah did he marry Rachel?
4. Who was Rachel's hand made?
Genesis 29:30-31
And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
1. Which of his wives did Jacob love?
2. How long did Jacob serve Laban for Rachel?
3. Did the Lord take pity on Leah, why?
4. What did the Lord do for Leah that He didn't do for Rachel?
Genesis 29:32-35
And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the Lord hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the Lord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
1. Who named Leah's son?
2. What did she name him?
3. How do we know Jacob did love Leah? Read verse 30 carefully.
4. Do you think Leah acknowledged the Lord in all her ways?
5. Who will be the mother of the promised seed do you think, the wife of priority or the wife of preference?
6. How many sons did Leah have?
7. What were their names?
8. What did each of their names mean?
9. Using the Bible dictionary write down some of the highlights about each son.
10. You may want to start Jacob's family tree to refer to as we go along.
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