1._And when Rachel saw_. Here Moses begins to relate that Jacob was distracted with domestic strifes. But although the Lord was punishing him, because he had been guilty of no light sin in marrying two wives, and especially sisters; yet the chastisement was paternal; and God himself, seeing that he... [ Continue Reading ]
2._And Jacob’s anger was kindled_. The tenderness of Jacob’s affection rendered him unwilling to offend his wife; yet her unworthy conduct compelled him to do so, when he saw her petulantly exalt herself, not only against her sister, who piously, homily, and thankfully was enjoying the gifts of God;... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Behold my maid Bilhah_. Here the vanity of the female disposition appears. For Rachel is not induced to flee unto the Lord, but strives to gain a triumph by illicit arts. Therefore she hurries Jacob into a third marriage. Whence we infer, that there is no end of sinning, when once the Divine inst... [ Continue Reading ]
5._And Bilhah conceived_. It is wonderful that God should have deigned to honor an adulterous connection with offspring: but he does sometimes thus strive to overcome by kindness the wickedness of men, and pursues the unworthy with his favor. Moreover, he does not always make the punishment equal to... [ Continue Reading ]
8._With great wrestlings _(74) Others translate it, “I am joined with the joinings of God;” (75) as if she exulted in having recovered what she had lost; or, certainly, in having obtained an equal degree of honor with her sister. Others render it, I am doubled with the duplications of God. But both... [ Continue Reading ]
9._When Leah saw that she had left bearing. _Moses returns to Leah, who, not content with four sons, devised a method whereby she might always retain her superior rank: and therefore she also, in turn, substitutes her maid in her place. And truly Rachel deserved such a reward of her perverse design;... [ Continue Reading ]
14._And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest_. This narration of the fact that a boy brought home I know not what kind of fruit out of the fields, and presented it to his mother, by which she purchased of her sister one nigh with her husband, has the appearance of being light and puerile. Yet it... [ Continue Reading ]
15._Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? _Moses leaves more for his readers to reflect upon than he expresses in words; namely, that Jacob’s house had been filled with contentions and strifes. For Leah speaks haughtily, because her mind had been long so exasperated that she could no... [ Continue Reading ]
17._And God hearkened unto Leah_. Moses expressly declares this, in order that we may know how indulgently God dealt with that family. For who would have thought, that, while Leah was hatefully denying to her sister the fruits gathered by her boy, and was purchasing, by the price of those fruits, a... [ Continue Reading ]
21._And afterward she bare a daughter_. It is not known whether Jacob had any other daughter; for it is not uncommon in Scripture, when genealogies are recorded, to omit the women, since they do not bear their own name, but lie concealed under the shadow of their husbands. Meanwhile, if anything wor... [ Continue Reading ]
22._And God remembered Rachel_. Since with God nothing is either _before _or _after_, but all things are present, he is subject to no forgetfulness, so that, in the lapse of time, he should need to be reminded of what is past. But the Scripture describes the presence and memory of God from the effec... [ Continue Reading ]
25._Send me away, that I may go_. Seeing that Jacob had been retained by a proposed reward for his services, it might appear that he was acting craftily in desiring his dismissal from his father-in-law. I cannot, however, doubt that the desire to return had already entered his mind, and that he inge... [ Continue Reading ]
27._I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes_. We perceive hence, that Jacob had not been a burdensome guest, seeing that Laban soothes him with bland address, in order to procure from him a longer continuance in his service. For, sordid and grasping as he was, he would not have suffered Jac... [ Continue Reading ]
29._Thou knowest how I have served thee_. This answer of Jacob is not intended to increase the amount of his wages; but he would expostulate with Laban, and would charge him with acting unjustly and unkindly in requiring a prolongation of the time of service. There is also no doubt that he is carrie... [ Continue Reading ]
30._And now, when shall I provide for mine own house also? _He reasons, that when he had so long expended his labors for another, it would be unjust that his own family should be neglected. For nature prescribes this order, that every one should take care of the family committed to him. To which poi... [ Continue Reading ]
31._Thou shalt not give me anything_. The antithesis between this and the preceding clause is to be noticed. For Jacob does not demand for himself certain and definite wages; but he treats with Laban, on this condition, that he shall receive whatever offspring may be brought forth by the sheep and g... [ Continue Reading ]
33._So shall my righteousness answer for me_. Literally it is, “My righteousness shall answer in me.” But the particle בי (_bi_) signifies _to me _or _for me _(86) The sense, however, is clear, that Jacob does not expect success, except through his faith and integrity. (87) Respecting the next claus... [ Continue Reading ]
35._And he removed that day_. From this verse the form of the compact is more certainly known. Laban separates the sheep and goats marked with spots from the pure flock, that is, from the white or black, and commits these to his sons to be fed; interposing a three-days’ journey between them and the... [ Continue Reading ]
37._And Jacob took him rods of green poplar_. The narration of Moses, at first sight, may seem absurd: for he either intends to censure holy Jacob as guilty of fraud, or to praise his industry. But from the context it will appear that this adroitness was not culpable. Let us then see how it is to be... [ Continue Reading ]
43._And the man increased exceedingly_. Moses added this for the purpose of showing that he was not made thus suddenly rich without a miracle. We shall see hereafter how great his wealth was. For being entirely destitute, he yet gathered out of nothing, greater riches than any man of moderate wealth... [ Continue Reading ]