WEEKLY BIBLE COMMENTARY 3-11

By Wes Woodard

Genesis 29 – “Laban’s Treachery”

Jacob worked for his Uncle Laban for seven years for Laban’s daughter, Rachel.  However the night he was to receive Rachel as his bride Laban placed Leah, Rachel’s older sister, in Jacob’s tent.  Jacob asks Laban about this the next morning. Laban explains that in Haran it was a custom to marry off the older before the younger. However, if Jacob will work another seven years, he can have both sisters! So, Jacob works another seven years!  What is interesting in the N.A.S.V. translation is the use of the word “week” for seven years in verse 28. This is because the Hebrew word can be understood as seven years or seven days. (This is very important in interpreting Daniel chapter nine!)