Genesis 29
PATfor Abraham was father of all the faithful, and Jacob was the type of the synagogue; as St. Ambrose handles these matters in the life of Abraham. Yet the same Bishop confesses, that many doubt whether Jacob paid the tenth of all to Isaac, or immediately to God; because Jacob also was a priest himself. (See p. 205, &c.) This, I think, we may certainly conclude from this place, that Jacob, the grandchild of Abraham, vowing the tenth of all, as Abraham had given the tenth of the spoil, he was induced to it by the custom which was then among religious people. How they came to pitch upon this portion, rather than a fifth, sixth, or any other, is not so easily to be resolved. But they seem to speak with much reason, who observe, that in this number ten, all nations in a manner end their account, (Aristotle in his Problems, lib. 3. §. xv.) “and then begin again with compound numbers; or, as others phrase it, this is the end of less numbers, and the beginning of greater. So that it was looked upon as the most perfect of all other, and, accordingly, had in great regard. But, after all, it seems most likely tome, that they had some Divine direction for it, as they had for sacrificing. And it maybe further noted, that what they gave to their kings was the tenth part, as well as what they gave to God. And nothing more common among the gentiles than tenths paid to their kings, and that very anciently; for it appears from 1 Sam. viii. 14, 15. 17. that it was part of the jus veghim among the eastern people. Aristotle himself mentions it under the name of IlaXcu&c vouog, an ancient laiv in Babylon: and it was also used in Athens, which was a commonwealth, as Dr. Spencer shews, in his learned work, de Leg. Hebr. Ritual, (lib.iii. cap. x. §. 1.) And Bishop Mountague shews they were paid among the Romans, 1>. 248, &c. “Ver. 1. jC±ND Jacob went on his journey.’] Because the Hebrew phrase for went on, is lift up his feet, some will have it that he proceeded most cheerfully in his journey, after this glorious vision; which we may believe to be true, though not signified by this manner of speaking. To the people of the east.) To Mesopotamia, which lay eastward from Canaan.
Genesis 29:2
A great stone upon the welTs mouth. To keep the water clean and cool.
Genesis 29:5
Laban the son of Kahor. Grandson of Nahor, who is mentioned rather than Bcthuel, because he was the head of the family. Ver. G. Rachel his daughter.] Her name in Hebrew signifies a sheep. For it was anciently the manner to give names, even unto families, from cattle, both great and small. Sp Varro tells us, (lib. ii. dc Re’Rustica, cap. 1.) " Multa nomina habemus ab utroquc pecorc, &c. A minore Porcius, Ovilius, Caprimus; a majore, Equities, Taurus,” &c. (Sec Bochart. par. i. Tlierozoic. lib. ii. cap. 43.)
Genesis 29:7
It is yet high day, &c. A great deal of the afternoon yet remains. It. was the custom of those eastern countries, where the sun had great power in summer-time, to bring their flocks towards noon into shady places, where there whs water to refresh them; otherwise the extreme heat would have killed them. There they rested (it appears by many places of Scripture, particularly Cantic. i. 7.) till the heat of the day was over and then, having watered them again, they carried them out to feed till sunset.
Genesis 29:9
For she kept them. It was a noble employment in those days to keep sheep; whence God himself hath the name of the Shepherd of Israel. She had those under her, we are to suppose, who took the greatest pains about them; but she was the chief shepherdess, who inspected them all.
Genesis 29:10
Went near, and rolled the stone. He was stronger, or more dexterous at such things, than any body there; or, the meaning is, he assisted in this work; and, perhaps, was the first that set to his hand about it.
Genesis 29:11
Jacob hissed Rachel. Having told her who he was, and satisfied her of the truth of it, then (after the custom used among near relations at their first meeting) he saluted her; and that with more than ordinary affection, for he wept for joy to sec her. Laban in like manner kissed him.
Genesis 29:12
Her father’s brother. So all near relations are called, (ver. 15.)
Genesis 29:13
He told Laban all these things. Which are mentioned in the foregoing and this chapter. The reason of his coming from home, God’s providence over him in his journey, and his happy meeting with Rachel.
Genesis 29:14
Surely thou art my bone andmyjlesh. So very near of kin to me, that I can deny thee nothing.
Genesis 29:15
Because thou art. Or, as De Dieu translates the word Had (and gives many instances of it), Art thou not my brother? Is it fit then that thou shouldst serve me for nothing?
Genesis 29:17
Leah was tender-eyed. Some translate it, had delicate eyes. So the Chaldec; and then the meaning is, All her beauty lay in her eyes. Beautiful and well favoured.] Was every way amiable, being well shaped, having good features, and a fine complexion.
Genesis 29:18
1 will serve thee seven years for Rachel, &c. He had not brought money enough with him to purchase a wife (as the manner was in those days), and therefore offers his service for seven years, instead of it.
Genesis 29:19
It is better that I give her thee, &c. He seems to answer cunningly; and yet one cannot but take it for a contract, as it appears to have been by ver. 21.
Genesis 29:20
Tliey seemed unto him but a few days. He valued Rachel so much, that the price at which he purchased her seemed inconsiderable.
Genesis 29:21
Givememy wife. So she had been by contract ever since it was made, (ver. 19.) and he doth not now demand that he might have her to wife, but that he might enjoy her; being already his wife by that solemn agreement made seven years ago.
Genesis 29:22
Laban gathered together the men of the place. All such private contracts were completed by the elders or governors of the place, in the presence of all the people. We had an instance of this before in Abraham’s purchase of a sepulchre for his family; (xxiii. 11. 18.) which was a sacred and religious thing, as well as the rites of marriage; and therefore both of them publici juris, as Cornel. Bertram speaks, part of the public care.
Genesis 29:23
In the evening. At bed-time. Brought her to him.] The modesty of those times made them bring tho bride to her husband’s bed veiled, and withuigitized by Microsoft ® CHAP. XXX.] UPON GENESIS. out lights; so that it was the easier for Laban to deceive Jacob by bringing Leah to him; whom he could not hope So readily to dispose in marriage as Rachel, because she was homely.
Genesis 29:24
Gave unto his daughter Zilpah, Ids maid, &c. A very poor portion; yet all that he gave to Rachel afterward: (ver. 29.) which made them say, that he used them as strangers, not as his children; putting them off without any portion, (xxxi. 14, 15.)
Genesis 29:26
It must not be so done in our country, &c. We do not read of any such ancient custom; and, therefore, this seems a mere shift, or a jest: or, if it had been true, he should have told it Jacob beforehand.
Genesis 29:27
Fulfil her week, &c. Perfect this marriage with Leah, by keeping a seven days’ feiist (as “the custom was), and then thou shalt have llachel also. For he doth not speak of a week of years, but of days, as Mr. Selden shews out of many authors, (lib. v. de Jure N.etG. cap. 5.) where he hath this plain commentary upon these words: " 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 llachel also, and keep her wedding-feast seven days.”
Genesis 29:30
And served with him yet other seven years. After he had solemnly married Rachel, and bedded her (as we speak), for that he did seven days after his marriage with Leah was accomplished. So this verse begins, " And he went in also unto Rachel,” and then began his other seven years’ service. There was no positive law, as yet, against such marriages as this (with two sisters), which were afterwards expressly condemned; but at presentindulged; as the marriage of a man’s own sister was in the beginning of the world. Whence that saying of the Jews in the Gemara Hierosol. upon the title Sanhedrim, “The world was built by indulgence.” And Jacob, it is very likely, thought there was an unavoidable necessity for his marrying these two sisters. For Rachel was his true wife; Leah being imposed upon him by a cheat. But, having known her, he concluded he could not honestly leave her; no more than he could Rachel, to whom he was first contracted.
Genesis 29:31
Leah teas hated. Comparatively, not absolutely. For Leah having joined with her father to deceive him, he could not love her so well as Rachel; to whom he had engaged his first affection.
Genesis 29:32
Reuben. The name of this son, and of all the rest that follow, are derived from the Hebrew tongue: which shews that Laban’s family spake the same language with Abraham’s with some little variation, as appears afterward, xxxi. 47.