God’s Word Translation
Genesis 29:20
20Jacob worked seven years in return for Rachel, but the years seemed like only a few days to him because he loved her.
Genesis 29:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
- New International Version (NIV)So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
- English Standard Version (ESV)So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
Context of Genesis 29:20
18Jacob loved Rachel. So he offered, “I’ll work seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19Laban responded, “It’s better that I give her to you than to any other man. Stay with me.” Jacob worked seven years in return for Rachel, but the years seemed like only a few days to him because he loved her. 21⌞At the end of the seven years⌟ Jacob said to Laban, “The time is up; give me my wife! I want to sleep with her.” 22So Laban invited all the people of that place and gave a wedding feast.
Read all of Genesis 29Genesis 29:20 word by word
וַיַּעֲבֹ֧ד יַעֲקֹ֛ב בְּרָחֵ֖ל שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים וַיִּהְי֤וּ בְעֵינָיו֙ כְּיָמִ֣ים אֲחָדִ֔ים בְּאַהֲבָת֖וֹ אֹתָֽהּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And Jacobיַעֲקֹבya‛ăqôb · JacobH3290
- servedעָבַד‛âbad · to serveH5647
- sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
- yearsשָׁנָהshâneh shânâh · yearH8141
- for Rachelרָחֵלrâchêl · RachelH7354
- and they seemedעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eye: appearanceH5869
- a fewאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
- daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- for the love he hadאַהֲבָה'ahăbâh · loveH160
Cross-references for Genesis 29:20
- Genesis 30:26Give me my wives and my children for whom I’ve worked, and let me go. You know how much work I’ve done for you.”
- Hosea 12:12Jacob fled to the country of Syria. Israel worked to get a wife; he took care of sheep to pay for her.
- Genesis 24:67Isaac took her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He married Rebekah. She became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.
- 1 Corinthians 13:7Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14Clearly, Christ’s love guides us. We are convinced of the fact that one man has died for all people. Therefore, all people have died.
- Ephesians 5:2Live in love as Christ also loved us. He gave his life for us as an offering and sacrifice, a soothing aroma to God.
Commentaries on Genesis 29:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20And Jacob served seven years for Rachel - In ancient times it appears to have been a custom among all nations that men should give dowries for their wives; and in many countries this custom still prevails. When Shechem asked Dinah for wife, he said, Ask me never so much - dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me. When Eliezer went to get Rebekah for Isaac, he took a profusion of riches with him, in silver, gold, jewels, and…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. 14-30Jacob looked forward with joy to marrying Rachel, but this hope became a time of testing. Laban acted with shrewdness (clever but not honest behavior), and Jacob was disciplined (corrected and trained). Jacob and his mother had deceived his father and brother to gain the blessing. Now Laban, his mother’s brother, deceived him. Jacob experienced the results of his own dishonesty through 20 years of hard work, suffering, and being misled while serving Laban…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 14-2014-20. he abode a month--Among pastoral people a stranger is freely entertained for three days; on the fourth day he is expected to tell his name and errand; and if he prolongs his stay after that time, he must set his hand to work in some way, as may be agreed upon. A similar rule obtained in Laban's establishment, and the wages for which his nephew engaged to continue in his employment was the hand of Rachel.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 29:20
In the dictionaries
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
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