Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram
1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into
the land of the people of the east.
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.
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 Haran are we.
5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor?
And they said, We know him.
6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He
is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the
sheep.
7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high 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, We 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 while 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 kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and
wept.
12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's
brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told
her father.
13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of
Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and
embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house.
And he told Laban all these things.
14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my
flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
Jacob Marries Leah and
Rachel
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 favored.
18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee
seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
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.
20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they
seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my
days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place,
and made a feast.
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.
24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid
for an handmaid.
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? wherefore
then hast thou beguiled me?
26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our
country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this 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 Bilhah his
handmaid to be her maid.
30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also
Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other
years.
Jacob’s Children
31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he
opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called
his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked
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 I was hated, he hath therefore
given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
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
Levi.
35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she
said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his
name Judah; and left bearing.
|