Genesis 29

Genesis 29:1

went, &c. = lifted up his feet. Hebrew. Idiom, App-6.

Genesis 29:2

well. Hebrew. beer. See note on Genesis 21:19.

three flocks. Compare Genesis 29:8.

Genesis 29:5

son. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), put for grandson. Compare Genesis 24:15. In Genesis 29:12 Jacob calls himself the “brother” of Laban by the same Figure of speech

Lo. Figure of speech Asterismos, App-6, giving life to the scene.

Genesis 29:9

her father’s sheep. Shepherds usually slaves, younger sons, or daughters. Compare David, 1 Samuel 17:13-15. Exodus 2:16, Exodus 2:17. Note exception. Genesis 37:14, and reason.

Genesis 29:11

kissed. The Eastern greeting.

Genesis 29:12

brother. See on Genesis 29:6 and App-29.

Genesis 29:13

heard the tidings. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6. “Heard the hearing. "

Genesis 29:14

space of a month. Hebrew a month of days, i.e., by Figure of speech Hypallage, the days of a month. Compare Numbers 11:20.

Genesis 29:16

Leah. Hebrew weary.

Rachel. Hebrew a ewe.

Genesis 29:17

tender = weak.

beautiful = comely in form. Compare Genesis 39:6.

well favoured = comely in countenance.

Genesis 29:20

served. Compare Hosea 12:12.

Genesis 29:24

Zilpah. See on Genesis 29:29.

Genesis 29:25

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. To call attention to the fact that he was deceived, as he had deceived Isaac (Genesis 27).

Genesis 29:27

we, i.e. I, by Figure of speech Heterosis (of Number).

Genesis 29:28

her, i.e. Leah’s week.

he gave him Rachel. A popular mistake to suppose that Jacob did not marry Rachel till the end of the second seven years, for in the first seven were born seven sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, and Joseph. In the second seven: Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulon, and Dinah.

Genesis 29:29

Bilhah. This was strictly in accordance with the Code of Khammurabi, 145. See App-15.

Genesis 29:31

LORD. Jehovah used with the five sons (Genesis 29:31-35 and Genesis 30:24). Elohim is used with six (Genesis 30:2, Genesis 30:6, Genesis 30:17, Genesis 30:18, Genesis 30:20, Genesis 30:23). No title used with Benjamin (Genesis 35:16-18). All were in pairs. Two pairs from Leah, one pair from Bilhah, one from Zilpah, one from Leah, one from Rachel.

hated. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, by which love and hate are put for the esteem or neglect, caused by love and hate = less loved, Deuteronomy 21:15. Matthew 6:24.

Genesis 29:33

Reuben. Hebrew. behold a son. For the various orders of the 12 tribes, see App-45.

heard. Hebrew. sham’a (heard).

Simeon. Hebrew. Shime’on (hearing). Figure of speech Paronomasia.

Genesis 29:34

joined. Hebrew. yillaveh (joined).

Was his name called. Hebrew she called his name, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint. Error due to neglected abbreviation in primitive Hebrew text. Figure of speech Paronomasia. App-6.

Levi. Hebrew. Levi (joiner).

Genesis 29:35

praise. Hebrew. ’odeh (I shall, or. Let me praise); ye hudah (he shall be praised). Compare Genesis 49:8. Figure of speech Paronomasia.

left: i.e. for a time.