Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. New Living Translation So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days. English Standard Version So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Berean Standard Bible So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. King James Bible And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. New King James Version So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. New American Standard Bible So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him like only a few days because of his love for her. NASB 1995 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her. NASB 1977 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her. Legacy Standard Bible So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they were in his sight but a few days because of his love for her. Amplified Bible So Jacob served [Laban] for seven years for [the right to marry] Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Christian Standard Bible So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. American Standard Version And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. Contemporary English Version Jacob worked seven years for Laban, but the time seemed like only a few days, because he loved Rachel so much. English Revised Version And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. GOD'S WORD® Translation Jacob worked seven years in return for Rachel, but the years seemed like only a few days to him because he loved her. Good News Translation Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her. International Standard Version Jacob served seven years for Rachel, but it seemed like only a few days because of his love for her. Majority Standard Bible So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. NET Bible So Jacob worked for seven years to acquire Rachel. But they seemed like only a few days to him because his love for her was so great. New Heart English Bible Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and it seemed only a few days to him because of his love for her. Webster's Bible Translation And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had to her. World English Bible Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Jacob serves for Rachel seven years; and they are in his eyes as some days, because of his loving her. Young's Literal Translation and Jacob serveth for Rachel seven years; and they are in his eyes as some days, because of his loving her. Smith's Literal Translation And Jacob will serve for Rachel seven years, and they will be in his eyes as a few days in his loving her. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSo Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed but a few days, because of the greatness of his love. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, Jacob served for seven years for Rachel. And these seemed like only a few days, because of the greatness of love. New American Bible So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet they seemed to him like a few days because of his love for her. New Revised Standard Version So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThus Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him but a few days because he was in love with her. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yaquuv worked for Rakhyl seven years, and they were in his eyes as a few days, because he loved her. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Jacob served for Rachel seven years, and they were before him as a few days, by reason of his loving her. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel…19Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” 20So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. 21Finally Jacob said to Laban, “Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her.”… Cross References Hosea 12:12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep. Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 30:26 Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.” Genesis 31:41 Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times! Exodus 21:2 If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. Judges 14:12 “Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. 1 Samuel 18:25-27 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. / When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, / David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as payment in full to become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David in marriage. 1 Samuel 18:17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” Ruth 4:11 “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem. Song of Solomon 8:7 Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned. Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal over your heart, as a seal upon your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unrelenting as Sheol. Its sparks are fiery flames, the fiercest blaze of all. Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 20:1-16 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. / He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. / About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ... Luke 15:25-32 Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. / So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on. / ‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’ ... Treasury of Scripture And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had to her. A. Genesis 30:26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. Hosea 12:12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. for the love. Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. Song of Solomon 8:6,7 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame… 1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Jump to Previous Eyes Few Jacob Love Loving Rachel Seemed Served Serveth Seven Single Time WorkJump to Next Eyes Few Jacob Love Loving Rachel Seemed Served Serveth Seven Single Time WorkGenesis 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. So Jacob served seven years for Rachel Jacob's service for Rachel reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of a bride price or dowry, where a prospective husband would offer a significant gift or service to the bride's family. This practice is seen in other biblical accounts, such as when Abraham's servant brought gifts for Rebekah's family (Genesis 24). Jacob's willingness to serve for seven years demonstrates his deep love and commitment, contrasting with the deceitful nature of his uncle Laban, who later tricks him into marrying Leah first. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible, suggesting the fullness of Jacob's dedication. yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob is a central figure in the account, known for his journey to Haran to find a wife and his deep love for Rachel. 2. Rachel The younger daughter of Laban, Jacob's uncle. Rachel is described as beautiful and is the object of Jacob's affection, for whom he willingly serves seven years. 3. Laban Jacob's uncle and father of Rachel and Leah. Laban is a shrewd character who takes advantage of Jacob's love for Rachel. 4. Haran The place where Laban and his family live, and where Jacob flees to escape his brother Esau's wrath and to find a wife. 5. Seven Years of Service The period Jacob agrees to work for Laban in exchange for marrying Rachel, demonstrating his commitment and love. Teaching Points The Power of LoveJacob's love for Rachel was so profound that seven years felt like a few days. True love is patient and enduring, transcending time and hardship. Commitment and Sacrifice Jacob's willingness to serve for seven years teaches us about the importance of commitment and sacrifice in relationships. Love often requires us to put others before ourselves. God's Timing Jacob's account reminds us that God's timing is perfect. Though the wait may seem long, the fulfillment of His promises is worth the patience. Integrity in Relationships Despite Laban's deceit, Jacob remained committed to his word. This teaches us the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our commitments.(20) They seemed unto him but a few days.--Jacob was at least fifty-seven years of age, but the late marriages hitherto of the patriarchs show that they only slowly arrived at manhood. We need not be surprised, then, at the warmth of his affection, nor was it a passing emotion, but lasted all his life through. This, however, is the last of these late marriages; for Jacob's sons married when young.Verse 20. - And Jacob served - hard service (Genesis 31:40, 41), in keeping sheep (Hosea 12:12) - seven years for Rachel. The purity and intensity of Jacob's affection was declared not alone by the proposal of a seven years' term of servitude, - a long period of waiting for a man of fifty-seven, if not seventy-seven, years of age, - but also by the spirit in which he served his avaricious relative. Many as the days were that required to intervene before he obtained possession of his bride, they were rendered happy by the sweet society of Rachel. And they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. "Words breathing the purest tenderness, and expressing more emphatically than the flowery hyperboles of romantic phraseology the deep attachment of an affectionate heart" (Kalisch); words too which show the lofty appreciation Jacob had of the personal worth of his future bride. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So Jacobיַעֲקֹ֛ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc served וַיַּעֲבֹ֧ד (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave seven שֶׁ֣בַע (še·ḇa‘) Number - feminine singular Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number years שָׁנִ֑ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8141: A year for Rachel, בְּרָחֵ֖ל (bə·rā·ḥêl) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob yet it seemed בְעֵינָיו֙ (ḇə·‘ê·nāw) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain [but] a few אֲחָדִ֔ים (’ă·ḥā·ḏîm) Number - masculine plural Strong's 259: United, one, first days כְּיָמִ֣ים (kə·yā·mîm) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day because of his love בְּאַהֲבָת֖וֹ (bə·’a·hă·ḇā·ṯōw) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 157: To have affection f for her. אֹתָֽהּ׃ (’ō·ṯāh) Direct object marker | third person feminine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case Links Genesis 29:20 NIVGenesis 29:20 NLT Genesis 29:20 ESV Genesis 29:20 NASB Genesis 29:20 KJV Genesis 29:20 BibleApps.com Genesis 29:20 Biblia Paralela Genesis 29:20 Chinese Bible Genesis 29:20 French Bible Genesis 29:20 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 29:20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel (Gen. 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