Genesis 29:16
Genesis 29:16 in Multiple Translations
Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Laban had two daughters. The older one was Leah, and the younger one was Rachel.
Now Laban had two daughters, the elder called Leah, and the yonger called Rahel.
And Laban hath two daughters, the name of the elder [is] Leah, and the name of the younger Rachel,
Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Now he had two daughters, the name of the elder was Lia: and the younger was called Rachel.
Well, Laban had two daughters. The older one was named Leah, and the younger one was named Rachel.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 29:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 29:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/לְ/לָבָ֖ן
שְׁתֵּ֣י
בָנ֑וֹת
שֵׁ֤ם
הַ/גְּדֹלָה֙
לֵאָ֔ה
וְ/שֵׁ֥ם
הַ/קְּטַנָּ֖ה
רָחֵֽל
וּ/לְ/לָבָ֖ן
Lâbân
H3837
Laban
Conj | Prep | N-proper
שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
בָנ֑וֹת
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fp
שֵׁ֤ם
shêm
H8034
name
N-ms
הַ/גְּדֹלָה֙
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Art | Adj
לֵאָ֔ה
Lêʼâh
H3812
Leah
N-proper
וְ/שֵׁ֥ם
shêm
H8034
name
Conj | N-ms
הַ/קְּטַנָּ֖ה
qâṭân
H6996
small
Art | Adj
רָחֵֽל
Râchêl
H7354
Rachel
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 29:16
וּ/לְ/לָבָ֖ן
Lâbân
H3837
"Laban"
Conj | Prep | N-proper
Refers to Laban, a person in the Bible, or a place in the desert where the Israelites camped.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.24.29; son of: Bethuel (H1328A); brother of: Rebekah (H7259); father of: Rachel (H7354) and Leah (H3812) § Laban = "white" son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Laban. See also: Genesis 24:29; Genesis 30:40; Deuteronomy 1:1.
שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
בָנ֑וֹת
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
שֵׁ֤ם
shêm
H8034
"name"
N-ms
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Definition: 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Usage: Occurs in 771 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. See also: Genesis 2:11; Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 16:6.
הַ/גְּדֹלָה֙
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
לֵאָ֔ה
Lêʼâh
H3812
"Leah"
N-proper
Leah was the first wife of Jacob, daughter of Laban, and mother of many tribes of Israel, including Reuben and Judah, as told in Genesis 29:16.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.16; daughter of: Laban (H3837A); sister of: Rachel (H7354); married to Israel (H3478); mother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783) § Leah = "weary" daughter of Laban, first wife of Jacob, and mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: Leah. See also: Genesis 29:16; Genesis 30:18; Ruth 4:11.
וְ/שֵׁ֥ם
shêm
H8034
"name"
Conj | N-ms
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Definition: 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Usage: Occurs in 771 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. See also: Genesis 2:11; Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 16:6.
הַ/קְּטַנָּ֖ה
qâṭân
H6996
"small"
Art | Adj
This Hebrew word means something or someone small in size, amount, or importance. It can describe something as little or least, and is often used to convey a sense of youth or insignificance. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: young, small, unimportant Another spelling of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B)
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est). See also: Genesis 1:16; 1 Kings 22:31; Psalms 104:25.
רָחֵֽל
Râchêl
H7354
"Rachel"
N-proper
Rachel was a wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Her name means ewe, and she is an important figure in the book of Genesis, where her story is told in detail.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.6; daughter of: Laban (H3837A); sister of: Leah (H3812); married to Israel (H3478); mother of: Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144) Also named: Rhachēl (Ῥαχήλ "Rachel" G4478) § Rachel = "ewe" daughter of Laban, wife of Jacob, and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: Rachel. See also: Genesis 29:6; Genesis 30:25; Jeremiah 31:15.
Study Notes — Genesis 29:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 29:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 29:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:16
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 29:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 29:16
- Sermons on Genesis 29:16
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.”
16Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.
17Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 18Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Genesis 49:31 | There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. |
| 3 | Genesis 31:4 | So Jacob sent word and called Rachel and Leah to the field where his flocks were, |
| 4 | Genesis 29:25–32 | When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?” Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older. Finish this week’s celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work.” And Jacob did just that. He finished the week’s celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.” |
| 5 | Genesis 46:15 | These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, in addition to his daughter Dinah. The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three. |
| 6 | Genesis 29:17 | Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. |
| 7 | Genesis 35:23 | The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. |
| 8 | Genesis 30:19 | Again Leah conceived and bore a sixth son to Jacob. |
| 9 | Genesis 33:2 | He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. |
Genesis 29:16 Summary
Genesis 29:16 tells us about Laban's two daughters, Leah and Rachel, setting the stage for a story about love, family, and God's plan. This verse helps us understand the background of the characters involved, similar to how Genesis 25:19-26 introduces Rebekah and her family. By knowing about Leah and Rachel, we can better grasp the events that unfold in Genesis 29:17-30:43, where their relationships with Jacob are central. The introduction of these characters reminds us that God works through the lives and relationships of ordinary people, as seen in other biblical accounts like Ruth 1:1-4, to fulfill His larger purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Laban's daughters mentioned in Genesis 29:16?
According to Genesis 29:16, Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel, with Leah being the older of the two, as also described in Genesis 29:17.
What is the significance of the names of Laban's daughters in the Bible?
The names Leah and Rachel have specific meanings, but the Bible does not provide their meanings directly; however, as seen in Genesis 29:16-18, their characteristics and roles in the story of Jacob are significant to the biblical narrative.
How does Genesis 29:16 set the stage for the rest of the story in Genesis 29?
Genesis 29:16 introduces Leah and Rachel, which is crucial because their relationship with Jacob, as described in Genesis 29:18 and following verses, drives the plot and explores themes of love, deception, and family dynamics, similar to other biblical accounts like Genesis 25:27-34 where family relationships are central to the story.
What can we learn about family dynamics from Laban's household in Genesis 29:16?
The introduction of Laban's daughters in Genesis 29:16 highlights the complex family dynamics that will unfold, teaching us about the importance of honesty, communication, and God's sovereignty in family relationships, as seen in other biblical stories like Genesis 27:1-40.
Reflection Questions
- How do the introductions of Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29:16 make you think about the role of women in biblical stories and their impact on the narrative?
- In what ways can the characteristics of Leah and Rachel, as mentioned in Genesis 29:17, influence our understanding of their actions and decisions in the subsequent verses?
- What does the fact that Laban had two daughters, as stated in Genesis 29:16, reveal about his household and how might this affect Jacob's experience, as seen in Genesis 29:14-15?
- How can reflecting on the family dynamics introduced in Genesis 29:16 help you navigate your own family relationships and challenges, considering biblical principles found in passages like Ephesians 5:22-6:4?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:16
And Laban had two daughters,.... Grown up and marriageable: and the name of the elder was Leah; which signifies labour or weariness: and the name of the younger was Rachel; before mentioned, whom
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:16
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 29:16
He brought back all the goods which the victorious kings had taken from the princes and people mentioned before in this chapter.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:16
Genesis 29:16 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder [was] Leah, and the name of the younger [was] Rachel.Ver. 16. The name of the elder was Leah,] i.e., Weak and wearish, by her natural constitution No marvel, therefore, though she were weak-sighted, as Genesis 29:17. Debilis, nec bene habita, quasi lassa ex debilitate constitutionis.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 29:16
16. Leah] The meaning of “Leah” is uncertain. According to some scholars, who see in it a totem name, it should be compared with an Arabic word meaning “a wild cow”; according to others, with an Assyrian word meaning “a lady.”
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 29:16
JACOB’S DOUBLE , Genesis 29:15-30. What shall thy wages be — Jacob, the plain, domestic man, (Genesis 25:27,) doubtless made himself very useful in Laban’s household.
Sermons on Genesis 29:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Perils and Sorrows of a Contrite Heart by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob from the Bible. Jacob finds himself in a difficult situation with two wives who are arguing and accusing each other. He is |