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Jacob's Arrival at Padan-aram. (b. c. 1760.)
JACOB'S ARRIVAL AT PADAN-ARAM. (B. C. 1760.) All the stages Israel's march to Canaan are distinctly noticed, but no particular journal is kept of Jacob's expedition further than Beth-el; no, he had no more such happy ni…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:1-35
Jacob among his mother's kindred. Taught by experience to be patient. His own craft reflected in Laban. Lessons to be learned. I. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TEACHING OF GOD IN THE INNER MAN AND HIS LEADINGS IN PROVIDENC…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:1-14
Jacob at the well of Haran: a romantic adventure. I. JACOB'S MEETING WITH THE SHEPHERDS. 1. The providential discovery. The well in the field with the three flocks of sheep lying by it enabled Jacob to ascertain his whe…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:1-14
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:1
Then Jacob went on his journey (literally, lifted up his feet—a graphic description of traveling. Inspired by new hopes, and conscious of loftier aims than when he fled from Beersheba, the lonely furtive departed from B…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:2
And he looked (either to discover where he was, or in search of water), and behold a well in the field,—not the well at which Eliezer's caravan halted, which was a well for the village maidens, situated in front of the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:3
And thither were all the flecks gathered. "Fifteen minutes later we came to a large well in a valley among the swells, fitted up with troughs and reservoirs, with flocks waiting around". And they rolled the stone from t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:4
And Jacob said unto them (the shepherds of the three flocks), My brethren (a friendly salutation from one who was himself a shepherd), whence be ye? Anticipating that their reply would reveal his whereabouts. And they s…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:5
And he said unto them (with the view of discovering his kinsmen), Know ye Laban the son of Nahor?—i.e. the grandson, Laban's father having been Bethuel, who, however, here, as in Genesis 14:1-24; retires into the backgr…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:6
And he said unto them, Is he well? Literally, is there peace to him? meaning not simply bodily health, but all manner of felicity; ὑγιαίνει (LXX.); sanusne est? (Vulgate). Cf. the Christian salutation, tax vobiscum An…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:7
And he said, Lo, it is yet high day (literally, the day is yet great, i.e. much of it still remains), neither is it time that the cattle should he gathered together (i.e. to shut them up for the night): water ye the she…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:8
And they said, We cannot,—not because of any physical difficulty (Kalisch), since three men could easily have accomplished what Jacob by himself did, but because they had agreed not to do so (Rosenmüller, Murphy), but t…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 29:9-14
See Rachel's humility and industry. Nobody needs to be ashamed of honest, useful labour, nor ought it to hinder any one's preferment. When Jacob understood that this was his kinswoman, he was very ready to serve her. La…
Rachel's Humility and Industry. (b. c. 1760.)
RACHEL'S HUMILITY AND INDUSTRY. (B. C. 1760.) Here we see, 1. Rachel's humility and industry: She kept her father's sheep (Genesis 29:9), that is, she took the care of them, having servants under her that were employed…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:9
And while he yet spake with them (literally, he yet speaking with them), Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them—or, she was a shepherdess, the part. רֹעָה being used as a substantive (Gesenius, 'Lex.,' s…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:10
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother,—"the term mother's brother is not unintentionally repeated three times in this verse to describe with the greatest possible stress t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:11
And Jacob kissed Rachel,—in demonstration of his cousinly affection. If Jacob had not yet discovered who he was to the fair shepherdess, his behavior must have filled her with surprise, even allowing for the unaffected…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:12
And Jacob told (or, had told, ut supra) Rachel that he was her father's brother,—as Lot is called Abraham's brother, though in reality his nephew (Genesis 13:8; Genesis 14:14, Genesis 14:16)—and that he was Rebekah's so…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:13
And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings (literally, heard the hearing, or thing heard, i.e. the report of the arrival) of Jacob his sister's son,—he acted very much as he did ninety-seven years before, when Ab…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:14
And Laban said unto him (giving utterance to the impression Jacob's recital had produced upon his mind), Surely thou art my bone and my flesh—i.e. my blood relation (cf. 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1). Laban meant that Jacob had sa…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 29:15-30
During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not…
Jacob's Marriage. (b. c. 1753.)
JACOB'S MARRIAGE. (B. C. 1753.) Here is, I. The fair contract made between Laban and Jacob, during the month that Jacob spent there as a guest, Genesis 29:14. It seems he was not idle, nor did he spend his time in sport…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:15-30
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 29:15
And Laban said unto Jacob (probably at the month's end), Because thou art—literally, is it not that. thou art (cf. Genesis 27:36; 2 Samuel 23:19)—my brother,—my kinsman (vide on Genesis 29:12)—shouldest thou therefore s…