Jacob's Fourteen Years of Service for Leah and Rachel

Genesis 29

1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.

2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth.

3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.

4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

7 And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.

8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.

9 And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them.

10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.

11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father.

13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.

14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.

25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

31 And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.

Jacob received Rachel to wife just one week after his marriage to Leah, though he was required to serve an additional seven years for herBHOTV1 111.2+3.

The Sequence of Jacob's Marriage

Jacob arrived in Haran as a lonely traveler and soon arranged to serve Laban seven years for the hand of his younger daughter, Rachel, whom he lovedPP 188.2+1. When the initial seven years of service were completed, Laban practiced a cruel deception by substituting the elder sister, Leah, for Rachel during the wedding festivitiesBHOTV1 111.2+2. Laban justified this by claiming it was against national custom to marry off a younger daughter before the firstbornBHOTV1 111.2+2. However, Laban immediately proposed that Jacob could also have Rachel if he agreed to serve another seven yearsBHOTV1 111.2+1. Jacob consented to these terms, and after fulfilling the marriage week dedicated to Leah, he was given Rachel as his second wife Genesis 29:27-28ASC 57.6+2.

Key Details of the Agreement

• A Week of Celebration: The second union was celebrated immediately following the close of Leah’s marriage festivities, which traditionally lasted for one week Genesis 29:27-28BHOTV1 111.2+2.

• Total Service: While Jacob received Rachel at the beginning of this second period, he still had to complete the full seven years of additional labor for her, totaling fourteen years of service for both wives Genesis 29:30PP 188.2+2.

• Ongoing Toil: In total, Jacob remained with Laban for twenty years—fourteen for his wives and six more for his cattle Genesis 31:41SBD Laban.3+2.

The Consequences of the Deception

Laban's selfish and grasping nature embittered Jacob's life, as the double marriage led to lifelong sorrow and rivalry between the two sistersBHOTV1 111.2+2. Rachel remained the one best loved, while Leah felt hated and afflicted, though God eventually blessed her with many children Genesis 29:31-35PP 188.2+2. This complex family dynamic was further complicated by Laban's continued dishonesty, as he changed Jacob's wages ten times during his tenure Genesis 31:7PP 188.2+1. Even as the sisters competed for their husband's affection, they eventually united in their dissatisfaction with their father's proceedings, noting that he had sold them and devoured their rightful dowry Genesis 31:14-16PP 188.2+2.