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29 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east. He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they watered the flocks. The stone on the well’s mouth was large. There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone back on the well’s mouth in its place. Jacob said to them, “My relatives, where are you from?”

They said, “We are from Haran.”

He said to them, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?”

They said, “We know him.”

He said to them, “Is it well with him?”

They said, “It is well. See, Rachel, his daughter, is coming with the sheep.”

He said, “Behold, it is still the middle of the day, not time to gather the livestock together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”

They said, “We can’t, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth. Then we will water the sheep.”

While he was yet speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she kept them. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. 11 Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rebekah’s son. She ran and told her father.

13 When Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things. 14 Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month. 15 Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?”

16 Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive. 18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”

19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”

20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

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

22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23 In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to Jacob. He went in to her. 24 Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant. 25 In the morning, behold, it was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”

26 Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for seven more years.”

28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife. 29 Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant. 30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years.

31 Yahweh saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Yahweh has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” 33 She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon. 34 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. 35 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time I will praise Yahweh.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

Jacob llega a Padán Aram

29 Jacob continuó su viaje y llegó a la tierra de los orientales. Al llegar vio un pozo en medio del campo, donde descansaban tres rebaños de ovejas, ya que estas bebían agua de allí. Sobre la boca del pozo había una piedra muy grande. Por eso los pastores corrían la piedra solo cuando estaban juntos todos los rebaños, y después de abrevar a las ovejas volvían a colocarla en su lugar, sobre la boca del pozo.

Jacob les preguntó a los pastores:

―¿De dónde sois?

―Somos de Jarán —respondieron.

―¿Conocéis a Labán, el hijo de Najor? —volvió a preguntar Jacob.

―Claro que sí —respondieron.

Jacob siguió preguntando:

―¿Se encuentra bien de salud?

―Sí, está bien —le contestaron—. A propósito, ahí viene su hija Raquel con las ovejas.

Entonces Jacob les dijo:

―Todavía estamos en pleno día, y es muy temprano para encerrar el rebaño. ¿Por qué no les dais de beber a las ovejas y las lleváis a pastar?

Y ellos respondieron:

―No podemos hacerlo hasta que se junten todos los rebaños y los pastores quiten la piedra que está sobre la boca del pozo. Solo entonces podremos dar de beber a las ovejas.

Todavía estaba Jacob hablando con ellos, cuando Raquel llegó con las ovejas de su padre, pues era ella quien las cuidaba. 10 En cuanto Jacob vio a Raquel, hija de su tío Labán, con las ovejas de este, se acercó y quitó la piedra que estaba sobre la boca del pozo y dio de beber a las ovejas. 11 Luego besó a Raquel, rompió en llanto 12 y le contó que era pariente de Labán, por ser hijo de su hermana Rebeca. Raquel salió entonces corriendo a contárselo a su padre.

13 Al oír Labán las noticias acerca de su sobrino Jacob, salió a recibirlo y, entre abrazos y besos, lo llevó a su casa. Allí Jacob le contó todo lo que había sucedido, 14 y Labán le dijo: «Realmente, tú eres de mi propia sangre».

Jacob se casa con Lea y Raquel

Jacob había estado ya un mes con Labán 15 cuando este le dijo:

―Por más que seas mi pariente, no vas a trabajar para mí gratis. Dime cuánto quieres ganar.

16 Labán tenía dos hijas. La mayor se llamaba Lea, y la menor, Raquel. 17 Lea tenía ojos apagados,[a] mientras que Raquel era una mujer muy hermosa. 18 Como Jacob se había enamorado de Raquel, le dijo a su tío:

―Me ofrezco a trabajar para ti siete años, a cambio de Raquel, tu hija menor.

19 Labán le contestó:

―Es mejor que te la entregue a ti, y no a un extraño. Quédate conmigo.

20 Así que Jacob trabajó siete años para poder casarse con Raquel, pero como estaba muy enamorado de ella le pareció poco tiempo. 21 Entonces Jacob le dijo a Labán:

―Ya he cumplido con el tiempo pactado. Dame mi mujer para que me case con ella.

22 Labán reunió a toda la gente del lugar y ofreció una gran fiesta. 23 Pero, cuando llegó la noche, tomó a su hija Lea y se la entregó a Jacob, y Jacob se acostó con ella. 24 Además, como Lea tenía una criada que se llamaba Zilpá, Labán se la dio, para que la atendiera.

25 A la mañana siguiente, Jacob se dio cuenta de que había estado con Lea, y le preguntó a Labán:

―¿Qué me has hecho? ¿Acaso no trabajé contigo para casarme con Raquel? ¿Por qué me has engañado?

26 Labán le contestó:

―La costumbre en nuestro país es casar primero a la mayor y luego a la menor. 27 Por eso, cumple ahora con la semana nupcial de esta, y por siete años más de trabajo te daré la otra.

28 Así lo hizo Jacob y, cuando terminó la semana nupcial de la primera, Labán le entregó a Raquel por esposa. 29 También Raquel tenía una criada, llamada Bilhá, y Labán se la dio para que la atendiera. 30 Jacob entonces se acostó con Raquel, y la amó mucho más que a Lea, aunque tuvo que trabajar para Labán siete años más.

Los hijos de Jacob

31 Cuando el Señor vio que Lea no era amada, le concedió hijos. Mientras tanto, Raquel permaneció estéril. 32 Lea quedó embarazada y dio a luz un hijo, al que llamó Rubén,[b] diciendo: «El Señor ha visto mi aflicción; ahora sí me amará mi esposo». 33 Lea volvió a quedar embarazada y dio a luz otro hijo, al que llamó Simeón,[c] diciendo: «Llegó a oídos del Señor que no soy amada, y por eso me dio también este hijo».

34 Luego quedó embarazada de nuevo y dio a luz un tercer hijo, al que llamó Leví,[d] diciendo: «Ahora sí me amará mi esposo, porque le he dado tres hijos».

35 Lea volvió a quedar embarazada, y dio a luz un cuarto hijo, al que llamó Judá[e] diciendo: «Esta vez alabaré al Señor». Después de esto, dejó de dar a luz.

Footnotes

  1. 29:17 apagados. Alt. tiernos.
  2. 29:32 En hebreo, Rubén suena como las palabras que significan miren, un hijo, y también él vio mi aflicción.
  3. 29:33 En hebreo, Simeón probablemente significa el que oye.
  4. 29:34 En hebreo, Leví suena parecido al verbo que significa unir, amar.
  5. 29:35 En hebreo, Judá tiene un sonido parecido al verbo que significa alabar.

Jacob Arrives in Paddan Aram

29 Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples.(A) There he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well.(B) The stone(C) over the mouth of the well was large. When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone(D) away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep.(E) Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?”(F)

“We’re from Harran,(G)” they replied.

He said to them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?”(H)

“Yes, we know him,” they answered.

Then Jacob asked them, “Is he well?”

“Yes, he is,” they said, “and here comes his daughter Rachel(I) with the sheep.(J)

“Look,” he said, “the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.”

“We can’t,” they replied, “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone(K) has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water(L) the sheep.”

While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep,(M) for she was a shepherd. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel(N) daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone(O) away from the mouth of the well and watered(P) his uncle’s sheep.(Q) 11 Then Jacob kissed(R) Rachel and began to weep aloud.(S) 12 He had told Rachel that he was a relative(T) of her father and a son of Rebekah.(U) So she ran and told her father.(V)

13 As soon as Laban(W) heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him(X) and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things. 14 Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.”(Y)

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative(Z) of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages(AA) should be.”

16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah,(AB) and the name of the younger was Rachel.(AC) 17 Leah had weak[a] eyes, but Rachel(AD) had a lovely figure and was beautiful.(AE) 18 Jacob was in love with Rachel(AF) and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.”(AG)

19 Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” 20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel,(AH) but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.(AI)

21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.(AJ)

22 So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.(AK) 23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah(AL) and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. 24 And Laban gave his servant Zilpah(AM) to his daughter as her attendant.(AN)

25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me?(AO) I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?(AP)

26 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.(AQ) 27 Finish this daughter’s bridal week;(AR) then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.(AS)

28 And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.(AT) 29 Laban gave his servant Bilhah(AU) to his daughter Rachel as her attendant.(AV) 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah.(AW) And he worked for Laban another seven years.(AX)

Jacob’s Children

31 When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved,(AY) he enabled her to conceive,(AZ) but Rachel remained childless. 32 Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.(BA) She named him Reuben,[b](BB) for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery.(BC) Surely my husband will love me now.”

33 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved,(BD) he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.[c](BE)

34 Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me,(BF) because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.[d](BG)

35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah.[e](BH) Then she stopped having children.(BI)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 29:17 Or delicate
  2. Genesis 29:32 Reuben sounds like the Hebrew for he has seen my misery; the name means see, a son.
  3. Genesis 29:33 Simeon probably means one who hears.
  4. Genesis 29:34 Levi sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for attached.
  5. Genesis 29:35 Judah sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for praise.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.