So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. So Jacob served seven yearsThe Hebrew word for "served" is עָבַד (avad), which implies labor or work, often with a sense of devotion or dedication. Jacob's service was not merely a contractual obligation but a labor of love. In the ancient Near Eastern context, it was common for a suitor to offer a bride price or service to the bride's family. Jacob's willingness to serve for seven years reflects a deep commitment and a cultural understanding of marriage as a covenantal relationship. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible, suggesting that Jacob's service was a complete and perfect expression of his love and commitment. for Rachel
Rachel, רָחֵל (Rachel) in Hebrew, means "ewe," symbolizing purity and beauty. She was the younger daughter of Laban and is described as beautiful in form and appearance. Rachel's name and character are significant in the biblical narrative, as she becomes one of the matriarchs of Israel. Jacob's love for Rachel is a central theme in his life story, illustrating the personal and relational dynamics that God uses to fulfill His covenant promises. Rachel's role in the lineage of Israel highlights the importance of individual relationships in the broader scope of God's redemptive plan. yet it seemed but a few days to him
The phrase "seemed but a few days" captures the essence of love's transformative power. The Hebrew word for "seemed" is הָיָה (hayah), which means "to be" or "to become." This suggests that Jacob's perception of time was altered by his love for Rachel. In a spiritual sense, this reflects how love can transcend the mundane and temporal, offering a glimpse of eternity. The brevity of the seven years in Jacob's eyes underscores the depth of his affection and the joy found in serving for love's sake. because of his love for her
The Hebrew word for "love" is אַהֲבָה (ahavah), which encompasses a range of meanings from affection to deep, covenantal love. Jacob's love for Rachel is portrayed as selfless and enduring, a model of true love that is willing to sacrifice and serve. This love is not merely emotional but is demonstrated through action and commitment. In the broader biblical narrative, love is a central theme, reflecting God's love for His people and the love that believers are called to embody. Jacob's love for Rachel serves as an inspirational example of how love can motivate and sustain us through life's challenges. 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. RachelThe 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. LabanJacob's uncle and father of Rachel and Leah. Laban is a shrewd character who takes advantage of Jacob's love for Rachel. 4. HaranThe 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 ServiceThe 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 SacrificeJacob'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 TimingJacob'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 RelationshipsDespite Laban's deceit, Jacob remained committed to his word. This teaches us the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our commitments. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's love for Rachel challenge our understanding of commitment in modern relationships? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate sacrificial love in our daily interactions with others? 3. How does the account of Jacob and Rachel encourage us to trust in God's timing for our lives? 4. What can we learn from Jacob's integrity and perseverance in the face of Laban's deceit? 5. How does Jacob's account connect with the New Testament teachings on love and marriage, particularly in Ephesians 5:25? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 24The account of Isaac and Rebekah, which parallels Jacob's journey to find a wife, highlighting the theme of divine providence in marriage. 1 Corinthians 13The "Love Chapter" that describes the nature of true love, which can be seen in Jacob's willingness to serve for Rachel. Hosea 12:12References Jacob's service for a wife, emphasizing the theme of labor and love. Ephesians 5:25Paul's exhortation for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, reflecting Jacob's sacrificial love for Rachel. People Bilhah, Haran, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Levi, Nahor, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, ZilpahPlaces Paddan-aramTopics Jacob, Love, Loved, Loving, Rachel, Seemed, Served, Serveth, Seven, SingleDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 29:20 5702 husband
5895 intimacy
8299 love, in relationships Genesis 29:16-25 5920 pretence Genesis 29:16-27 5674 daughters Genesis 29:16-28 5679 dowry Genesis 29:16-30 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 29:18-22 5710 marriage, customs Genesis 29:18-30 5659 bride Genesis 29:20-21 5709 marriage, purpose Genesis 29:20-30 4926 delay, human Library The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentThe Dispensation of the Divine Favours Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
O God, whose thunder shakes the sky, Whose eye this atom globe surveys, To thee, my only rock, I fly; Thy mercy in thy justice praise. Then why, my soul, dost thou complain? Why drooping seek the dark recess? Shake off the melancholy chain, For God created all to bless.--CHATTERTON. In the preceding part, we considered the doctrine of predestination, under the name of necessity, in its relation to the origin of evil. We there endeavoured to show that it denies the responsibility of man, and …
Albert Taylor Bledsoe—A Theodicy, or, Vindication of the Divine Glory Jesus Works his First Miracle at Cana in Galilee.
^D John II. 1-11. ^d 1 And the third day [From the calling of Philip (John i. 43). The days enumerated in John's first two chapters constitute a week, and may perhaps be intended as a contrast to the last week of Christ's ministry ( John xii. 1). It took two days to journey from the Jordan to Cana] there was a marriage [In Palestine the marriage ceremony usually began at twilight. The feast after the marriage was at the home of the bridegroom, and was sometimes prolonged for several days (Gen. xxix. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Question of the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 7 ad 3m II. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. 19 III. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. 18 " Ep., cxxx. ad probam IV. Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 29:20 NIVGenesis 29:20 NLTGenesis 29:20 ESVGenesis 29:20 NASBGenesis 29:20 KJV
Genesis 29:20 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
