Genesis 29:24
Genesis 29:24 in Multiple Translations
And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.
And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
And Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid unto his daughter Leah for a handmaid.
And Laban gave Zilpah, his servant-girl, to Leah, to be her waiting-woman.
(Laban also arranged for his servant Zilpah to be Leah's personal maid.)
And Laban gaue his mayde Zilpah to his daughter Leah, to be her seruant.
and Laban giveth to her Zilpah, his maid-servant, to Leah his daughter, a maid-servant.
Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant.
And Laban gave to his daughter Leah, Zilpah his maid for a handmaid.
Giving his daughter a handmaid, named Zelpha. Now when Jacob had gone in to her according to custom when morning was come he saw it was Lia:
(Laban had already given his slave girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid/servant.)
The next morning, Jacob saw that Leah was in his room, instead of Rachel. So Jacob was angry, and he went and talked to Laban. Jacob said, “You told me that I have to work for you for 7 years, and then I can marry Rachel. So I worked those 7 years, just like you said, but then you tricked me. You gave me Leah to be my wife, instead of Rachel. Why did you do that bad thing to me?” Laban said, “Leah is my older daughter, and Rachel is my younger daughter. In our culture, the older daughter always gets married first. That’s the reason why I gave you Leah to be your wife, instead of Rachel.” Then Laban said, “Listen, your wedding party will finish in one week. So spend this week with Leah, and after that, I will give you Rachel to marry as well. But after you marry Rachel, you have to work for me for 7 more years.” Jacob agreed to do what Laban said. After one week, Jacob and Leah’s wedding party finished. Then Laban gave his daughter Rachel to Jacob, and Jacob married Rachel as well. And Jacob slept with Rachel, like a man sleeps with his wife. So then Jacob had 2 wives, but he loved Rachel more than Leah. Laban had some women that worked for him. And Laban gave one of those women to his daughter Leah, to work for her, and he gave another of those women to his daughter Rachel, to work for her. The woman that worked for Leah was called Zilpah, and the woman that worked for Rachel was called Bilhah. Then Jacob worked for Laban for 7 more years.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 29:24
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 29:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּתֵּ֤ן
לָבָן֙
לָ֔/הּ
אֶת
זִלְפָּ֖ה
שִׁפְחָת֑/וֹ
לְ/לֵאָ֥ה
בִתּ֖/וֹ
שִׁפְחָֽה
וַ/יִּתֵּ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָבָן֙
Lâbân
H3837
Laban
N-proper
לָ֔/הּ
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
זִלְפָּ֖ה
Zilpâh
H2153
Zilpah
N-proper
שִׁפְחָת֑/וֹ
shiphchâh
H8198
maidservant
N-fs | Suff
לְ/לֵאָ֥ה
Lêʼâh
H3812
Leah
Prep | N-proper
בִתּ֖/וֹ
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fs | Suff
שִׁפְחָֽה
shiphchâh
H8198
maidservant
N-fs
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 29:24
וַ/יִּתֵּ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָבָן֙
Lâbân
H3837
"Laban"
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.
לָ֔/הּ
""
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
זִלְפָּ֖ה
Zilpâh
H2153
"Zilpah"
N-proper
Zilpah was a servant of Leah and a concubine of Jacob, and the mother of Gad and Asher. She was given to Leah by her father Laban, and her name means a trickling or a dripping.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.24; married to Israel (H3478); mother of: Gad (H1410) and Asher (H0836) § Zilpah = "a trickling" the Syrian given by Laban to Leah as a handmaid, a concubine of Jacob, mother of Asher and Gad
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Zilpah. See also: Genesis 29:24; Genesis 30:12; Genesis 46:18.
שִׁפְחָת֑/וֹ
shiphchâh
H8198
"maidservant"
N-fs | Suff
A shiphchah was a female slave or servant in a household, often belonging to a mistress. This term is used to describe a lowly position, and is sometimes used as a term of humility or respect.
Definition: 1) maid, maid-servant, slavegirl 1a) maid, maid-servant (as belonging to a mistress) 1b) of address, speaker, humility (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant. See also: Genesis 12:16; Ruth 2:13; Psalms 123:2.
לְ/לֵאָ֥ה
Lêʼâh
H3812
"Leah"
Prep | 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.
בִתּ֖/וֹ
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fs | Suff
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.
שִׁפְחָֽה
shiphchâh
H8198
"maidservant"
N-fs
A shiphchah was a female slave or servant in a household, often belonging to a mistress. This term is used to describe a lowly position, and is sometimes used as a term of humility or respect.
Definition: 1) maid, maid-servant, slavegirl 1a) maid, maid-servant (as belonging to a mistress) 1b) of address, speaker, humility (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant. See also: Genesis 12:16; Ruth 2:13; Psalms 123:2.
Study Notes — Genesis 29:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 29:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 29:24
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 29:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 29:24
- Sermons on Genesis 29:24
Context — Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
22So Laban invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast.
23But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her.
24And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.
25When 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?” 26Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 16:1 | Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. |
| 2 | Genesis 30:9–12 | When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. And Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, “How fortunate!” So she named him Gad. When Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son, |
| 3 | Genesis 46:18 | These are the sons of Jacob born to Zilpah—whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah—sixteen in all. |
| 4 | Genesis 24:59 | So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. |
Genesis 29:24 Summary
[This verse tells us that Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her helper, which was a common practice in those days, similar to what is described in Genesis 30:3-4. This act shows that Laban was trying to make sure Leah had everything she needed as a new bride. However, it's also important to remember the context of the story, where Laban had just deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel, as seen in Genesis 29:23-25. As we reflect on this verse, we can think about how we can show kindness and generosity to those around us, just like Laban gave Zilpah to Leah, and also consider how we can trust God's sovereignty in difficult situations, like Jacob's unexpected marriage to Leah.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Laban give Zilpah to Leah as a maidservant?
This act was a common practice in ancient times, where a servant girl would be given to a new bride to assist her with household duties, as seen in Genesis 29:24 and also in Genesis 30:3-4 where Rachel gives her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob as a wife.
What is the significance of Zilpah being a servant girl?
Zilpah's role as a servant girl highlights the social hierarchy of the time and the custom of wealthy families having servants to assist with domestic work, as mentioned in Genesis 29:24 and also in Exodus 21:20-21 where rules are given regarding the treatment of servants.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Jacob and Leah?
This verse is part of the story of Jacob's marriage to Leah, which was a result of Laban's deception, as seen in Genesis 29:23-25, and it sets the stage for the complex family dynamics that will unfold in the subsequent chapters, including Genesis 30:1-24.
What can we learn about Laban's character from this verse?
Laban's actions in giving Zilpah to Leah as a maidservant may seem like a generous act, but in the context of the story, it can also be seen as a way for Laban to maintain control and reinforce the social status of his family, as hinted at in Genesis 29:26 where he justifies his deception by citing local customs.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can show kindness and generosity to those around me, just as Laban gave Zilpah to Leah?
- How can I learn to trust God's sovereignty in difficult situations, like Jacob's unexpected marriage to Leah?
- What are some social or cultural expectations that I may be trying to live up to, and how can I ensure that I am following God's will above all else?
- In what ways can I prioritize humility and servant-heartedness in my own life, reflecting the role of Zilpah as a servant girl?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:24
And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid, [for] an handmaid.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:24
And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 29:24
Genesis 29:24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid [for] an handmaid.Ver. 24. Zilpah his maid.] Who, very likely, was of the conspiracy.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 29:24
(24) Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah . . . —Bethuel had given Rebekah not only Deborah her nurse, but also damsels (Genesis 24:61); but then she had been obtained by presents of unusual costliness. Still, Laban does not seem to have acted very liberally by his daughters, and they resented his treatment of them (Genesis 31:15).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 29:24
Verse 24. And Laban gave - Zilpah his maid] Slaves given in this way to a daughter on her marriage, were the peculiar property of the daughter; and over them the husband had neither right nor power.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 29:24
24. Zilpah… for a handmaid — Rebekah had a nurse and several damsels. Genesis 24:59; Genesis 24:61. Sarah had her handmaid, Hagar. Such maidservants became the special property of the wife to do with as she pleased.
Sermons on Genesis 29:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Walking With God by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of his daughter singing and expressing her love for Jesus. He reflects on the importance of spending time with God and reco |
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(Genesis) Genesis 29:22-29 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and Laban from the book of Genesis. Jacob serves Laban for seven years in order to marry Rachel, but Laban tricks him and |
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(Genesis) Genesis 17 Intro by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the seven tests that God gave to Abraham. The first test was when God called Abraham out of his home in Ur of the Chaldees, and although Abrah |
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(Genesis) Genesis 16:1-5 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on chapter 16 of the Bible, where Abraham and Sarah face a test of faith. Sarah, unable to bear children, suggests that Abraham take her Egypti |
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An Introduction to the Day of Atonement by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the tragedy that occurred in one of the leading families of the Israelites right at the beginning of their journey as a nation of priests. T |
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Restoring Your Passion for Christ - Part 3 by Teresa Conlon | This sermon delves into the story of Abraham and Sarah, highlighting the struggles and growth in their marriage as they navigate through betrayals, bitterness, and forgiveness. It |
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Abraham: Another Blunder by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Genesis 16 and highlights the mercy and care of God. Despite the mistakes and misunderstandings of Abraham and Sarah, God reveals himself as |