Genesis 29:17

_LEAH WAS TENDER EYED; BUT RACHEL WAS BEAUTIFUL AND WELL FAVOURED._ Leah ... tender-eyed - i:e., soft blue eyes-thought a blemish; according to others, weak, dull, bleary eyes. [Septuagint, _ ASTHENEIS_ (G772); Vulgate, lippi.] RACHEL ... BEAUTIFUL AND WELL FAVOURED, х_ YªPAT_ (H3303) _ TO'AR_ (H8389)] - i:e., comely, and х_ WIYPAT_ (H3303) _ MAR'EH_ (H4758)] handsome in form (cf. 1 Samuel 16:18; 1 Samuel 17:42). The latter was Jacob's choice....

15-30 During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years' service Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, Hebrews 6:10. If we know how to value the happiness of heaven, the sufferings of this present time will be as nothing to us. An age of work will be but as a few days to those that love God, and long for Christ's appearing. Jacob, who had imposed upon his father, is imposed upon by Laban, his father-in-law, by a like deception. Herein, how unrighteous soever Laban was, the Lord w...

Verse Genesis 29:17. _LEAH WAS TENDER-EYED_] רכות _raccoth_, _soft,_ _delicate, lovely_. I believe the word means just the _reverse_ of the signification generally given to it. The design of the inspired writer is to _compare_ both the sisters together, that the balance may appear to be greatly in favour of Rachel. The chief recommendation of Leah was her _soft_ and _beautiful eyes_; but Rachel was יפת תאר _yephath toar_, beautiful in her _shape_, _person,_ _mien_, and _gait_, and יפת מראה _yephath mareh_, beautiful in her _countenance_. The words plainly signify _a fine shape_ and _fine_ _features_, all that can be considered as essential to personal beauty. Therefore Jacob loved her, and was willing to become a _bond servant_ for seven years, that he might get her to wife; for in his destitut...

- Jacob’s Marriage 6. רחל _rāchēl_, Rachel, “a ewe.” 16. לאה _lê'âh_, Leah, “wearied.” 24. זלפה _zı̂lpâh_, Zilpah, “drop?” 29. בלהה _bı̂lhâh_, Bilhah, “timidity.” 32. ראוּבן _re'uvbēn_, Reuben, “behold a son.” A paronomasia in allusion to the phrase בעניי ראה _be‛ānyı̂y_ _rā'âh_. Derivatives and compounds, being formed by the common speaker, are sometimes founded upon resemblance in sound, and not always on precise forms of the original sentence which prompted them. 33. ש

EXPOSITION GENESIS 29:15 AND LABAN SAID UNTO JACOB (probably at the month's end), BECAUSE THOU ART—literally, _is it not that_._ thou art _(cf. Genesis 27:36; 2 Samuel 23:19)—MY BROTHER,—my kinsman (_vide_ on Genesis 29:12)—SHOULDEST THOU THEREFORE SERVE ME FOR NAUGHT? (literally, _and thou server me gratuitously_)_ _TELL ME, WHAT SHALL THY WAGES BE? A proof of Laban's generosity and justice (Kalisch); of his selfishness and greed (Keil); of his prudence and

LEAH [WAS] TENDER EYED,.... Blear eyed, had a moisture in them, which made them red, and so she was not so agreeable to look at; though Onkelos renders the words, "the eyes of Leah were beautiful,'' as if her beauty lay in her eyes, and nowhere else; BUT RACHEL WAS BEAUTIFUL AND WELL FAVOURED; in all parts, in the form of her countenance, in her shape and stature, and in her complexion, her hair black, her flesh white and ruddy, as Ben Melech observes....

CHAPTER 29 JACOB WITH LABAN _ 1. Jacob's arrival at Padan-aram (Genesis 29:1)_ 2. His service for Rachel (Genesis 29:15) 3. Laban's deception (Genesis 29:21) 4. Jacob receives Rachel (Genesis 29:26) 5. Leah's sons (Genesis 29:32) The Lord brought him to Padan-aram, where he was to dwell as an exile for twenty years. During these twenty years Jehovah did not manifest Himself to him, even as Israel dispersed among the nations has no communications from the Lord. His sojourn in Padan-aram produce

JACOB SERVES SEVEN YEARS FOR RACHEL. LABAN SUBSTITUTES LEAH AND SECURES FOURTEEN YEARS'SERVICE IN EXCHANGE FOR THE TWO. Apart from bits of P (Genesis 29:24; Genesis 29:28_ b_, Genesis 29:29) the section belongs to JE. Analysis is very uncertain. Probably Genesis 29:1 is from E, Genesis 29:2 from J. Opinions differ as to Genesis 29:15; for our purpose further analysis is unnecessary. Jacob comes in his journey to a well, and finds three flocks waiting to

TENDER. weak. BEAUTIFUL. comely in form. Compare Genesis 39:6. WELL FAVOURED. comely in countenance....

Jacob's Marriage with Leah and Rachel 15. _Because … brother_ Lit. "art thou a brother, and shouldest thou serve me for nothing?" For "brother," see note on Genesis 29:12. Laban asks Jacob to state on what terms he would serve....