Genesis 29:26

Genesis 29:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
• New International Version (NIV)Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Laban said, "It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

Context of Genesis 29:26

24Laban also gave Zilpah his maid to his daughter Leah as a maid. 25But in the morning [when Jacob awoke], it was Leah [who was with him]! And he said to Laban, “What is this that you have done to me? Did I not work for you [for seven years] for Rachel? Why have you deceived and betrayed me [like this]?” But Laban only said, “It is not the tradition here to give the younger [daughter in marriage] before the older. 27Finish the week [of the wedding feast] for Leah; then we will give you Rachel also, and in return you shall work for me for seven more years.” 28So Jacob complied and fulfilled Leah’s week [of celebration]; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his [second] wife.

Genesis 29:26 word by word

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָבָ֔ן לֹא־יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה כֵ֖ן בִּמְקוֹמֵ֑נוּ לָתֵ֥ת הַצְּעִירָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י הַבְּכִירָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Labanלָבָןlâbân · LabanH3837
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• It must not be so doneעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• in our countryמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
• to giveנָתַןnâthan · to give: give(marriage)H5414
• the youngerצָעִירtsâ‛îyr tsâ‛ôr · littleH6810
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• the firstbornבְּכִירָהbekîyrâh · firstbornH1067

Commentaries on Genesis 29:26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26It must not be so done in our country - It was an early custom to give daughters in marriage according to their seniority; and it is worthy of remark that the oldest people now existing, next to the Jews, I mean the Hindoos, have this not merely as a custom, but as a positive law; and they deem it criminal to give a younger daughter in marriage while an elder daughter remains unmarried. Among them it is a high offense, equal to adultery, "for a man to…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-35Verses 1-35 - 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-30Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-26Like Isaac, Jacob was given food and wine (compare 27:25). He could not see in the darkness (compare 27:1). He became confused by clothing (compare 27:15) and misled by touch (compare 27:23). The marriage had already been completed (the husband and wife had come together as one; 29:23; compare 2:24). Because of this, Jacob was bound to Leah. It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older: Laban's words are a reminder…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-351. Then Jacob went, &c.--Hebrew, "lifted up his feet." He resumed his way next morning with a light heart and elastic step after the vision of the ladder; for tokens of the divine favor tend to quicken the discharge of duty (Ne 8:10). and came into the land, &c.--Mesopotamia and the whole region beyond the Euphrates are by the sacred writers designated "the East" (Jud 6:3; 1Ki 4:30; Job 1:3). Between the first and the second clause of this verse is…Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 29:26

• Betrothal
• Children
• Contracts
• Covetousness
• Dishonesty
• Jacob
• Laban
• Leah
• Marriage
• Rachel
• Seven
• Wages

In the dictionaries

• Laban
• Marriage
• Serve
• Wages
• Archaeology; Archaeology and Criticism
• Country
• Father
• Genealogy
• Genesis
• Law in the Old Testament

Commentaries on Genesis 29

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings