15 And Laban saith to Jacob, 'Is it because thou 'art' my brother that thou hast served me for nought? declare to me what 'is' thy hire.' 16 And Laban hath two daughters, the name of the elder 'is' Leah, and the name of the younger Rachel, 17 and the eyes of Leah 'are' tender, and Rachel hath been fair of form and fair of appearance. 18 And Jacob loveth Rachel, and saith, 'I serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter:' 19 and Laban saith, 'It is better for me to give her to thee than to give her to another man; dwell with me;' 20 and Jacob serveth for Rachel seven years; and they are in his eyes as some days, because of his loving her. 21 And Jacob saith unto Laban, 'Give up my wife, for my days have been fulfilled, and I go in unto her;' 22 and Laban gathereth all the men of the place, and maketh a banquet. 23 And it cometh to pass in the evening, that he taketh Leah, his daughter, and bringeth her in unto him, and he goeth in unto her; 24 and Laban giveth to her Zilpah, his maid-servant, to Leah his daughter, a maid-servant. 25 And it cometh to pass in the morning, that lo, it 'is' Leah; and he saith unto Laban, 'What 'is' this thou hast done to me? for Rachel have I not served with thee? and why hast thou deceived me?' 26 And Laban saith, 'It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the first-born; 27 fulfil the week of this one, and we give to thee also this one, for the service which thou dost serve with me yet seven other years.' 28 And Jacob doth so, and fulfilleth the week of this one, and he giveth to him Rachel his daughter, to him for a wife; 29 and Laban giveth to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his maid-servant, for a maid-servant to her. 30 And he goeth in also unto Rachel, and he also loveth Rachel more than Leah; and he serveth with him yet seven other years.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 29:15-30
Commentary on Genesis 29:15-30
(Read Genesis 29:15-30)
During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years' service Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, 1 Corinthians 7:2.