Genesis 29:14
New International Version
Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month,

New Living Translation
Laban exclaimed, “You really are my own flesh and blood!” After Jacob had stayed with Laban for about a month,

English Standard Version
and Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh!” And he stayed with him a month.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

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

New King James Version
And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him for a month.

New American Standard Bible
And Laban said to him, “You certainly are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him a month.

NASB 1995
Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him a month.

NASB 1977
And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him a month.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him one month.

Amplified Bible
Then Laban said to him, “You are my bone and my flesh.” And Jacob stayed with him a month.

Christian Standard Bible
Laban said to him, “Yes, you are my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Laban said to him, “Yes, you are my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

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

Contemporary English Version
Laban said, "You are my nephew, and you are like one of my own family." After Jacob had been there for a month,

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Laban said to him, "You are my own flesh and blood." Jacob stayed with him for a whole month.

Good News Translation
Laban said, "Yes, indeed, you are my own flesh and blood." Jacob stayed there a whole month.

International Standard Version
Laban responded, "You certainly are my flesh and blood!" So Jacob stayed with him for about a month.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Laban declared, ?You are indeed my own flesh and blood.? After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

NET Bible
Then Laban said to him, "You are indeed my own flesh and blood." So Jacob stayed with him for a month.

New Heart English Bible
Laban said to him, Surely you are my bone and my flesh. He lived with him for a month.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh: and he abode with him the space of a month.

World English Bible
Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” Jacob stayed with him for a month.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Laban says to him, “You [are] surely my bone and my flesh”; and he dwells with him a month of days.

Young's Literal Translation
and Laban saith to him, 'Only my bone and my flesh art thou;' and he dwelleth with him a month of days.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Laban will say to him, Surely my bone and my flesh art thou: and he will dwell with him a month of days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the days of one month were expired,

Catholic Public Domain Version
he responded, “You are my bone and my flesh.” And after the days of one month were completed,

New American Bible
and Laban said to him, “You are indeed my bone and my flesh.” After Jacob had stayed with him a full month,

New Revised Standard Version
and Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh!” And he stayed with him a month.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Laban said to him, Surely you are my bone and my flesh. And t he stayed with him for a month.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Laban said to him, “Truly you are my bones and my flesh”, and he stayed with him a month of days.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Laban said to him: 'Surely thou art my bone and my flesh.' And he abode with him the space of a month.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Laban said to him, Thou art of my bones and of my flesh; and he was with him a full month.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
14Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month, 15Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”…

Cross References
Judges 9:2
“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.”

2 Samuel 5:1
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

1 Chronicles 11:1
Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

Genesis 2:23
And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man she was taken.”

Genesis 13:8
So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are kinsmen.

Genesis 37:27
Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.

Genesis 42:13
But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

Genesis 45:4
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!

Genesis 46:26
All those belonging to Jacob who came to Egypt—his direct descendants, besides the wives of Jacob’s sons—numbered sixty-six persons.

Exodus 2:11
One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people.

Leviticus 25:49
either his uncle or cousin or any close relative from his clan may redeem him. Or if he prospers, he may redeem himself.

Ruth 2:20
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”

1 Samuel 18:18
And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?”

2 Samuel 19:12-13
You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ / And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from now on you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”

Job 19:14
My kinsmen have failed me, and my friends have forgotten me.


Treasury of Scripture

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

art my.

Genesis 29:12,15
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…

Genesis 2:23
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Genesis 13:8
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

the space of a month.

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Abode Blood Bone Dwelleth Flesh Indeed Jacob Kept Laban Month Space Surely Time Whole
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Abode Blood Bone Dwelleth Flesh Indeed Jacob Kept Laban Month Space Surely Time Whole
Genesis 29
1. Jacob comes to the well of Haran.
9. He becomes acquainted with Rachel.
13. Laban entertains him.
18. Jacob covenants for Rachel.
23. He is deceived by Laban with Leah.
28. He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more.
32. Leah bears Reuben;
33. Simeon;
34. Levi;
35. and Judah.














Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.”
Laban's declaration acknowledges the familial bond between him and Jacob, as Jacob is the son of Laban's sister, Rebekah. This phrase emphasizes the importance of kinship ties in ancient Near Eastern culture, where family loyalty and obligations were paramount. The phrase "flesh and blood" signifies a deep connection, often implying mutual support and protection. This familial recognition sets the stage for the ensuing narrative, where Laban's treatment of Jacob will be influenced by this relationship. The phrase also echoes the biblical theme of kinship seen in other scriptures, such as Genesis 2:23, where Adam recognizes Eve as "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh," highlighting the unity and bond within family.

After Jacob had stayed with him a month,
The mention of a month indicates a significant period during which Jacob would have been integrated into Laban's household, observing and participating in daily life. This time frame suggests a period of testing or probation, common in ancient cultures, where a guest or potential family member would prove their worth and intentions. The month-long stay also reflects the hospitality customs of the time, where extended family members were welcomed and cared for. This period allowed Jacob to become familiar with Laban's family and operations, setting the stage for his future work and the unfolding of God's plan for him. The duration of a month is also symbolic in biblical narratives, often representing a complete cycle or period of preparation, as seen in other instances like the mourning period for Moses in Deuteronomy 34:8.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob
The son of Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob is on a journey to find a wife from his mother's family. He is a key patriarch in the lineage of Israel.

2. Laban
Rebekah's brother and Jacob's uncle, Laban is a significant figure in Jacob's life, known for his cunning and shrewdness.

3. Haran
The place where Laban lives and where Jacob has traveled to find refuge and a wife. It is a significant location in the account of the patriarchs.

4. Rebekah
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Rebekah is Jacob's mother and Laban's sister, who sent Jacob to Laban to escape Esau's wrath and find a wife.

5. The Month's Stay
This event marks the beginning of Jacob's extended stay with Laban, which will lead to significant developments in his life, including his marriages to Leah and Rachel.
Teaching Points
Family Ties and Identity
Laban's declaration, "Surely you are my own flesh and blood," emphasizes the importance of family connections and identity. In our lives, understanding our spiritual heritage in Christ is crucial.

God's Providence in Relationships
Jacob's journey to Laban's house is part of God's providential plan. We should trust God's guidance in our relationships and life decisions.

Hospitality and Acceptance
Laban's acceptance of Jacob into his home for a month reflects the biblical value of hospitality. As Christians, we are called to welcome and support others in their times of need.

The Complexity of Human Relationships
The relationship between Jacob and Laban is complex and multifaceted, reminding us that human relationships often require patience, wisdom, and discernment.(14) The space of a month.--Heb., a month of days, that is, a full month.

Verse 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. Judges 9:2; 2 Samuel 5:1). Laban meant that Jacob had satisfactorily proved himself Rebekah's son. And he abode with him the space of a month - literally, a month of days (cf. Genesis 41:1; Numbers 11:20), or a month as regards time, "the second substantive describing the general notion of which the first is a specification" (Kalisch).

CHAPTER 29:15-30

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Laban
לָבָ֔ן (lā·ḇān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob

declared,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“You are
אָ֑תָּה (’āt·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

indeed
אַ֛ךְ (’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

my own flesh
וּבְשָׂרִ֖י (ū·ḇə·śā·rî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

and blood.”
עַצְמִ֥י (‘aṣ·mî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

After Jacob had stayed
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

with
עִמּ֖וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

him a month,
חֹ֥דֶשׁ (ḥō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month


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OT Law: Genesis 29:14 Laban said to him Surely you (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 29:13
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