Chapter 29

1

THEN Ya`aqov 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 there 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 Ya`aqov said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

5

And he said unto them, Know ye Lavan the son of Nachor? 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 comes 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 spoke with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.

10

And it came to pass, when Ya`aqov saw Rachel the daughter of Lavan his mother's brother, and the sheep of Lavan his mother's brother, that Ya`aqov went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Lavan his mother's brother.

11

And Ya`aqov kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12

And Ya`aqov told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rivqah's son: and she ran and told her father.

13

And it came to pass, when Lavan heard the tidings of Ya`aqov 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 Lavan את all these things.

14

And Lavan said to him, Surely you are my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

15

And Lavan said unto Ya`aqov, Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall your wages be?

16

And Lavan had two daughters: the name of the elder was Le'ah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

17

Le'ah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favored.

18

And Ya`aqov loved Rachel; and said, I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.

19

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

20

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

21

And Ya`aqov said unto Lavan, Give me my woman, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22

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

23

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

24

And Lavan gave unto his daughter Le'ah Zilpah his maid for a handmaid.

25

And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Le'ah: and he said to Lavan, What is this you have done unto me? did not I serve with you for Rachel? wherefore then have you beguiled me?

26

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

27

Fulfill her week, and we will give you this also for the service which you shall serve with me yet seven other years.

28

And Ya`aqov did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to be his woman also.

29

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

30

And he went in also unto El-Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Le'ah, and served with him yet seven other years.

31

And when Yahuah saw that Le'ah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

32

And Le'ah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Re'uven: for she said, Surely Yahuah has looked upon my affliction; now therefore my man will love me.

33

And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, Because Yahuah has heard that I was hated, he has therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Shim`on.

34

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

35

And she conceived again, and bore a son: and she said, Now will I praise Yahuah: therefore she called his name Yahudah; and left bearing.



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