Genesis 29:18

Genesis 29:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
• New International Version (NIV)Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel."
• New Living Translation (NLT)Since Jacob was in love with Rachel, he told her father, “I’ll work for you for seven years if you’ll give me Rachel, your younger daughter, as my wife.”

Context of Genesis 29:18

16Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.” 19And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” 20So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.

Genesis 29:18 word by word

וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶת־רָחֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֶֽעֱבָדְךָ֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֔ים בְּרָחֵ֥ל בִּתְּךָ֖ הַקְּטַנָּֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Jacobיַעֲקֹבya‛ăqôb · JacobH3290
• lovedאָהֵב'âhab 'âhêb · to love: loverH157
• Rachelרָחֵלrâchêl · RachelH7354
• and saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• I will serveעָבַד‛âbad · to serveH5647
• thee sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• yearsשָׁנָהshâneh shânâh · yearH8141
• thy youngerקָטָןqâţân qâţôn · smallH6996
• daughterבַּתbath · daughterH1323

Cross-references for Genesis 29:18

• Genesis 29:20So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
• Genesis 31:41Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.
• Genesis 34:12Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.”
• Exodus 22:16“If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife.
• 2 Samuel 3:14So David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”
• Hosea 3:2So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley.
• Hosea 12:12Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended sheep.

Commentaries on Genesis 29:18

• 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. 18Seven years of service was a high bride-price in the ancient world, but Rachel was beautiful (like Sarah and Rebekah), and Jacob was in love with her.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 29:18

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

In the dictionaries

• Jacob
• Rachel
• Dowry
• Serve
• Wages
• Archaeology; Archaeology and Criticism
• 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