Self-interpreting Bible

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Genesis 29

1Jacob cometh to the well of Haran; 9meeteth Rachel, maketh himself known to her, and is entertained by Laban, 15whom he covenanteth to serve for Rachel. 21He is deceived with Leah; 28marrieth Rachel also, and serveth for her seven years more. 31Leah is fruitful, and beareth Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.

1 THEN Jacob 1went on his journey, and came into athe land of the 2people of bthe east.

2 And he looked, and behold ca well in the field, and, lo, there were dthree 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.

3 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.

    4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of eHaran are we.

    5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the fson of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

    6 And he said unto them, 3Is he gwell? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

    7 And he said, Lo, 4it is yet hhigh day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.

    8 And they said, iWe cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.

    9 ¶And jwhile he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.

    10 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.

      11 And Jacob kkissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, land wept.

      12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's mbrother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.

      13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the 5tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and nkissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.

      14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art omy bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of 6a month.

      15 ¶And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

        16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

          17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

            18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, pI will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

            19 And Laban said, qIt is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

            20 And Jacob rserved seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, sfor the love he had to her.

            21 ¶And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days tare fulfilled, that I may go uin unto her.

            22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made va feast.

            23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took wLeah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

            24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah xZilpah his maid for yan handmaid.

            25 And it came to pass, that zin 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 ahast thou beguiled me?

            26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our 7country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

            • 7: Heb. place.

            27 Fulfil her bweek, and we will give thee cthis also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

            28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

              29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter dBilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

              30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he eloved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him fyet seven other years.

              31 ¶And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he gopened her womb: but Rachel was hbarren.

              32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name 8Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath ilooked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

              33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name 9Simeon.

              34 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 10Levi.

              35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name 11Judah; and 12left bearing.