Genesis 29 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 29

WHEN:

• According to the timeline we’ve been using throughout this study, Jacob’s journey to Haran occurred between 1760-1730 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Jacob – The son of Isaac and Rebekah and twin brother of Esau.

• Laban – The brother of Rebekah who lived in Haran.

• Leah – Laban’s oldest daughter. She is described as having “weak” eyes.

• Rachel – The daughter of Laban. She was a shepherdess of her father’s flocks in Haran. She is described as “beautiful in form and appearance.”

WHERE:

• The events recorded in Genesis 29 took place in Haran, the homeland of Abraham’s brother Nahor.

OUTLINE:

• JACOB MEETS RACHEL AT A WELL (29:1-12):

  • After a long journey, Jacob stopped at a well of water near Haran.

  • Several shepherds were at the well waiting to water their sheep, and Jacob asked them if they knew Labon the son of Nahor.

  • They told him they knew him, and his daughter Rachel would be arriving at the well shortly, because she was a shepherdess of her father’s flocks.

  • When Rachel arrived, Jacob watered her sheep and told her he was her father’s kinsman.

• JACOB WORKS 7 YEARS FOR RACHEL (29:13-20):

  • Labon welcomed Jacob into his home, and he stayed a month.

  • Realizing Jacob intended to stay in Haran for some time, Laban asked him how he wanted to be paid for his work.

  • Jacob had fallen in love with Laban’s youngest daughter, Rachel, and asked to serve Laban for 7 years in exchange for his daughter in marriage.

  • “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her” (29:20).

• LABAN DECEIVES JACOB ON HIS WEDDING DAY (29:21-30):

  • Laban prepared a feast for Jacob and Rachel’s wedding.

  • But that evening, Laban sent his oldest daughter, Leah, to Jacob’s bed chamber, rather than Rachel.

  • In the morning, Jacob realized what had happened and confronted Laban.

  • Laban told him it was not their custom to give the younger daughters in marriage before the eldest.

  • Jacob married Rachel a week later in exchange for 7 more years of service.

• JACOB’S CHILDREN WITH LEAH (29:31-35):

  • When God saw that Leah was loved less than Rachel, He blessed her with sons.

  • Leah bore Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.

  • Rachel was barren and couldn’t have any children.

APPLICATION:

• The marriage customs in Genesis 29 probably seem strange to most western readers. They may seem unfair, uncivilized, or contrary to modern ideals.

• This chapter is a good reminder that cultures and customs have varied widely throughout history.

• Be careful not to read and interpret the Bible solely through your modern cultural perspective. Trying to interpret an ancient culture through your culture’s lens is a sure way to so start misinterpreting things.

• To understand ancient people and their practices we need to remain open minded to the fact that not everyone in history shared our view of the way the world should work.