THE LAND OF THE PEOPLE OF THE EAST] a general term for the lands eastward of Palestine, here e.g. Mesopotamia: cp. Job 13. 3. A well often belonged to two or three families. The opening was covered with a heavy stone which could only be moved by the united efforts of the shepherds of their several... [ Continue Reading ]
JACOB IN MESOPOTAMIA WITH LABAN The divine care and blessing promised to Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:15) are illustrated in the narrative of the sojourn of the patriarch at Haran, which apparently lasted for twenty years (Genesis 31:41), after which he returned to the land of promise, blessed with... [ Continue Reading ]
HARAN] see on Genesis 11:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SON OF NAHOR] rather, 'grandson.' Laban was the son of Bethuel (Genesis 28:5).... [ Continue Reading ]
WEPT] with joy at finding himself among friends again.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT SHALL THY WAGES BE?] Laban was a covetous man and, as will be seen, took every advantage of Jacob to retain his services.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEAH _was_ TENDEREYED] rather, 'weakeyed,' perhaps from ophthalmia, so common in the East. LEAH means 'gazelle,' RACHEL, 'ewe.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Jacob had no rich gif ts to offer for Rachel, such as Abraham sent for Rebekah (Genesis 24:53). He therefore offered his services. Kitto says that 'personal servitude to the father is still in some places in the East, including to this day Palestine, the price paid by young men who have no other mea... [ Continue Reading ]
A FEAST] the wedding feast. 23-25. Jacob the deceiver is now the deceived. The bride would be closely veiled (see Genesis 24:65), and, it being night, Leah successfully connived at her father's deception.... [ Continue Reading ]
The female slave was a usual part of the bride's dowry.... [ Continue Reading ]
The custom which Laban pleaded was not uncommon. Among the Hindoos it is a law not to give the younger daughter in marriage until the elder is married.... [ Continue Reading ]
FULFIL HER WEEK] i.e. celebrate Leah's bridal festivities for the usual seven days: cp. Judges 14:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
At the end of the seven days Jacob received Rachel as his wife: but he had to serve Laban for her other seven years. Though the blame in the matter rests with Laban rather than Jacob, who must have regarded Rachel as his true wife, we shall see, as in the case of Abraham, the unhappiness and jealous... [ Continue Reading ]
HATED] The word means no more than that Jacob preferred Rachel: see Genesis 29:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
REUBEN] 'behold, a son.' But the writer derives the name from _Raah beonyi,_ 'looked on my affliction': see on Genesis 4:1. SIMEON] 'hearing.' LEVI 'joined.' JUDAH] 'praise.'... [ Continue Reading ]