Genesis — Chapter 29
King James Version (KJV)
📖 Read the complete KJV chapter below. After verse 35, continue to 📚 Study This Chapter for explanations and memory checks.
Genesis 29:1 Then RJacob Twent on his journey, and Rcame into the land of the Tpeople of the east.
Genesis 29:2 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.
Genesis 29:3 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.
Genesis 29:4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
Genesis 29:5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
Genesis 29:6 And he said unto them, TIs he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
Genesis 29:7 And he said, Lo, Tit is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
Genesis 29:8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they Rroll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.
Genesis 29:9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she kept them.
Genesis 29:10 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.
Genesis 29:11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, Rand wept.
Genesis 29:12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: Rand she ran and told her father.
Genesis 29:13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the Ttidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and Rkissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
Genesis 29:14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him Tthe space of a month.
Genesis 29:15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
Genesis 29:16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Genesis 29:17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was Rbeautiful and well favoured.
Genesis 29:18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, RI will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
Genesis 29:19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
Genesis 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, Rfor the love he had to her.
Genesis 29:21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for Rmy days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
Genesis 29:22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
Genesis 29:23 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.
Genesis 29:24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
Genesis 29:25 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? Rwherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
Genesis 29:26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our Tcountry, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
Genesis 29:28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
Genesis 29:29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
Genesis 29:30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and Rserved with him yet seven other years.
Genesis 29:31 And when the LORD saw that Leah Rwas hated, Rhe opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name TReuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath Rlooked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
Genesis 29:33 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 Rcalled his name TSimeon.
Genesis 29:34 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 RTLevi.
Genesis 29:35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called Rhis name TJudah; and Tleft bearing.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 29:1–14 — Jacob Meets Rachel
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jacob arrived in the land of the people of the east and met shepherds at a well. Rachel came with Laban’s sheep, and Jacob rolled away the stone, watered the flock, and revealed his family connection to her.
Key Truth: Jacob’s journey brought him to the household of Laban, his mother’s brother.
Check What You Remember
1. Where did Jacob find the flocks? (Genesis 29:2)
Find it in Genesis 29:2 (KJV).
2. From which place were the shepherds? (Genesis 29:4)
Find it in Genesis 29:4 (KJV).
3. Whose daughter came with the sheep? (Genesis 29:6)
Find it in Genesis 29:6 (KJV).
4. Who rolled the stone away for Rachel’s flock? (Genesis 29:10)
Find it in Genesis 29:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 29:15–30 — Jacob Serves for Rachel
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jacob loved Rachel and agreed to serve Laban seven years for her. At the wedding Laban gave Leah to Jacob instead. Jacob then received Rachel and agreed to serve another seven years.
Key Truth: Jacob experienced deception from Laban after years of service.
Check What You Remember
1. Who was Laban’s elder daughter? (Genesis 29:16)
Find it in Genesis 29:16 (KJV).
2. For whom did Jacob agree to serve seven years? (Genesis 29:18)
Find it in Genesis 29:18 (KJV).
3. Whom did Laban first bring to Jacob? (Genesis 29:23)
Find it in Genesis 29:23 (KJV).
4. Who was Rachel’s handmaid? (Genesis 29:29)
Find it in Genesis 29:29 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 29:31–35 — Leah’s First Sons
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD saw Leah’s situation and opened her womb. She bore Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, and her words at their births reflected her sorrow, hopes, and praise.
Key Truth: The chapter specifically records that the LORD saw Leah’s affliction and gave her children.
Check What You Remember
1. Who opened Leah’s womb? (Genesis 29:31)
Find it in Genesis 29:31 (KJV).
2. What was Leah’s first son named? (Genesis 29:32)
Find it in Genesis 29:32 (KJV).
3. What was Leah’s second son named? (Genesis 29:33)
Find it in Genesis 29:33 (KJV).
4. Which son was named when Leah said she would praise the LORD? (Genesis 29:35)
Find it in Genesis 29:35 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Why do the shepherds say they cannot water the sheep immediately?
2. What explains the contrast between the length of Jacob’s service and how the years seem to him?
3. How does Laban answer Jacob’s charge that he has been deceived?
4. Which sequence do verses 27–30 give for Jacob’s marriage to Rachel and his further service?
5. How does Leah’s statement at Judah’s birth differ from her statements at the earlier births?
Notes
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