Genesis 29
DOYLYChap. XXIX. ver. 2.—a great stone was upon the well’s mouth.] In Arabia, and in other places, they are wont to close and cover up their wells of water, lest the sand, which is put into motion by the winds there, like the water of a pond, should fill them, and quite stop them up. Sir J. Chardin.
Genesis 29:8
- And they said, We cannot.] Not that they were unable to roll away the stone; but it was probably contrary to the rules of the place, as it may have been agreed, that no one should uncover the well, and disturb the waters, till all the shepherds with their flocks were assembled together to this common place of watering. Locke. See below note on ver. 10.
Genesis 29:9
9.—for she kept them.] That employment in those early days was very honourable; as is evident from Homer and other ancient writers. Stackhouse.
It is customary, even to this day, for the children of the greatest emir to attend their flocks, as we find Rachel kept the sheep of her father Laban. Dr. Shaw.
Genesis 29:10
10.—rolled the stone from the well’s mouth.] Sir J. Chardin gives us to understand, that he has known wells or cisterns of water locked up in the East: and if not, that some person is so far the proprietor, that no one dares to open a well or cistern, but in his presence. He has often, he says, seen the inhabitants make use of such precautions in divers parts of Asia, on account of the real scarcity of water there. Harmer.
Genesis 29:12
12.—her father’s brother.] That is, kinsman.
Genesis 29:13
13.—he told Laban all these things.] Such as that he was Laban’s kinsman, and Rebekah’s son, ver. 12; as also the reason of his coming from home; God’s providence over him on his journey; and his happy meeting with Rachel. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 29:17
- Leah was tender-eyed.] Having some blemish or soreness in her eyes. Stackhouse.
Genesis 29:18
18.—I will serve thee seven years for Rachel] It was a custom, which had prevailed almost in all ages, that, in contracting marriages, as the wife brought a portion to the husband, so the husband should give her, or her parents, money or presents, sometimes called in Scrip-
Jacob marrieth Leah and Rachel. Leah beareth four sons. Before CHRIST 1760.
Genesis 29:22
22.— Laban gathered together all the men of the place,] All such private contracts were completed by the elders or governours of the place, in the presence of all the people. An instance of this occurred before in Abraham’s purchase of a sepulchre for his family, chap. xxiii. 11, 18. This was a sacred and religious thing, as well as the rites of marriage; and therefore both were parts of the publick care. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 29:23
23.— and brought her to him;] The modesty of those times made them bring the bride to her husband’s bed veiled, and without lights: so that it was easier for Laban to impose on Jacob. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 29:25
25.— wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?] This was a great fraud in Laban, and to Jacob a great affliction: but such as might remind him of the guile which he had used in procuring his father’s blessing. Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 29:26
26.— It must not be so done] This was a mere pretence, for we read of no such custom; had it been true, he should have told Jacob beforehand. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 29:27
- Fulfil her week, &c.] That is, marriages are to be celebrated, according to custom, by a seven days’ feast: complete this marriage thou hast begun with Leah; and then, upon condition of another seven years'
service, thou shalt marry Rachel also, and keep her wedding feast seven days. Selden.
Genesis 29:30
- And he went in also unto Rachel,] There was no positive law at this time against such marriages as this; and Jacob probably thought there was an unavoidable necessity for his marrying these two sisters: for Rachel was his true wife, Leah being imposed upon him by deceit; but having taken her, he concluded he could not honestly leave her, any more than he could Rachel, to whom he was first contracted. The example of Jacob however in this particular is no rule for Christians. He, who pretends to pronounce on so singular a case as that of this Patriarch, should consider the different state of things, before the promulgation of the Law, during the obligation of it, and since the commencement of the Gospel. The Gospel undoubtedly prohibits both a plurality of wives, and consanguinity in marriages; and requires of its votaries the strictest chastity, from a consideration and motive, which neither the law of nature, nor the Law of Moses, knew any thing of; “Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s,” 1 Corinth. vi. 19, 20. Bp. Patrick, Stackhouse.
Genesis 29:31
31.— Leah was hated,] Loved less than Rachel, as it is in the foregoing verse. Hating is, in the Scripture phrase, sometimes put for loving less. Compare Luke xiv. 26, with Matthew x. 37. Bp. Kidder.