Genesis 29:26
New International Version
Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.

New Living Translation
“It’s not our custom here to marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn,” Laban replied.

English Standard Version
Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

Berean Standard Bible
Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.

King James Bible
And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

New King James Version
And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

New American Standard Bible
But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn.

NASB 1995
But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn.

NASB 1977
But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place, to marry off the younger before the first-born.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Laban said, “It is not the practice in our place to give the younger before the firstborn.

Amplified Bible
But Laban only said, “It is not the tradition here to give the younger [daughter in marriage] before the older.

Christian Standard Bible
Laban answered, “It is not the custom in our country to give the younger daughter in marriage before the firstborn.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Laban answered, “It is not the custom in this place to give the younger daughter in marriage before the firstborn.

American Standard Version
And Laban said, It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the first-born.

Contemporary English Version
Laban replied, "In our country the older daughter must get married first.

English Revised Version
And Laban said, It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Laban answered, "It's not our custom to give the younger daughter [in marriage] before the older one.

Good News Translation
Laban answered, "It is not the custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.

International Standard Version
But Laban responded, "It's not the practice of our place to give the younger one in marriage before the firstborn.

Majority Standard Bible
Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.

NET Bible
"It is not our custom here," Laban replied, "to give the younger daughter in marriage before the firstborn.

New Heart English Bible
Laban said, "It is not our custom here to give the younger before the firstborn.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Laban said, it must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born.

World English Bible
Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Laban says, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn;

Young's Literal Translation
And Laban saith, 'It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the first-born;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Laban will say, It shall not be done so in our place, to give the small before the first-born.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Laban answered: It is not the custom in this place, to give the younger in marriage first.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Laban responded, “It is not the practice in this place to give the younger in marriage first.

New American Bible
Laban replied, “It is not the custom in our country to give the younger daughter before the firstborn.

New Revised Standard Version
Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Laban said to Jacob, It is not so done in our country, to give the younger in marriage before the elder.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Laban said to Yaquuv, “It is not done in this way in our place, to give the younger before the elder.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Laban said: 'It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the first-born.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Laban answered, It is not done thus in our country, to give the younger before the elder.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel
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. 27Finish this week’s celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work.”…

Cross References
Genesis 24:50-51
Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. / Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.”

Genesis 31:14-16
And Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we have any portion or inheritance left in our father’s house? / Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered what was paid for us. / Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you.”

Genesis 24:33
Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.” So Laban said, “Please speak.”

Genesis 28:2
“Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.

Genesis 24:58-60
They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied. / So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. / And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.”

Judges 14:10-12
Then his father went to visit the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, as was customary for the bridegroom. / And when the Philistines saw him, they selected thirty men to accompany him. / “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.

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.

1 Samuel 18:17-19
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.” / And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” / So when it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah.

Exodus 2:21
Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage.

1 Samuel 25:39-42
On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” ...

Matthew 1:18-19
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. / Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 22:2-3
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. / He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.

Matthew 25:1-10
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...

John 2:1-2
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

2 Corinthians 11:2
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

country.

Genesis 29:26
And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

Jump to Previous
Country Custom Daughter Firstborn First-Born Laban Marriage Married Marry Older Practice Younger
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Country Custom Daughter Firstborn First-Born Laban Marriage Married Marry Older Practice Younger
Genesis 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.














But Laban replied
This phrase introduces Laban's response to Jacob's inquiry about the unexpected marriage to Leah instead of Rachel. The Hebrew root for "replied" is עָנָה (anah), which often implies a response or answer, sometimes with a sense of justification or defense. Laban's reply is not just a simple answer but a justification of his actions, reflecting a cultural and personal defense. In the ancient Near Eastern context, family heads like Laban held significant authority, and their words carried weight in familial and social matters.

It is not our custom here
The word "custom" in Hebrew is מִנְהָג (minhag), which refers to a practice or tradition that is followed by a community. This highlights the importance of cultural norms in ancient societies, where customs were often unwritten laws that governed social behavior. Laban's reference to custom underscores the weight of tradition in his community, suggesting that societal norms were prioritized over individual desires. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God's people often navigate the tension between cultural practices and divine directives.

to give the younger daughter in marriage
The phrase "to give" in Hebrew is נָתַן (natan), meaning to give or bestow. In the context of marriage, it implies the transfer of responsibility and blessing from the father to the husband. The mention of "the younger daughter" emphasizes the cultural significance of birth order in ancient times. In many ancient cultures, the firstborn held a place of honor and privilege, and this extended to marriage practices. The emphasis on the younger daughter highlights the cultural expectation that the elder should marry first, a practice that Laban uses to justify his actions.

before the older
The Hebrew word for "before" is לִפְנֵי (lifnei), which can mean in the presence of, in front of, or prior to. This word choice underscores the precedence of the elder daughter, Leah, in the marriage process. The term "older" refers to Leah, whose position as the firstborn daughter is central to Laban's argument. This reflects the biblical theme of the firstborn's rights and privileges, which is a recurring motif throughout Scripture. The cultural expectation that the elder daughter should marry first is used by Laban to explain his actions, even though it conflicts with the agreement he made with Jacob.

(26) It must not be so done in our country.--Heb., It is not so done in our place, to give, &c. We have seen that it is still customary for the elder cousin to take the elder daughter, and the younger the younger. But Laban affirms that if the elder daughter be not claimed, it was the rule in Haran for her to take precedence over her sisters. In India the practice is such as Laban describes, but we have no proof of the existence of any such custom among the Bedaween. Apparently Leah loved Jacob (Genesis 30:15), and Laban wanted a continuance of his service, and so this unscrupulous plot was arranged between them upon a pretext which, if not false, was yet overstrained. Jacob plainly had no idea of such a custom, and would not have given seven years' service for Leah.

Verse 26. - And Laban said, It must not be so done - the future expresses the thought that the custom has grown into a strong moral obligation (Kalisch) - in our country (Hebrew, place), to give the younger before the first-born. The same custom exists among the Indians (Rosenmüller; cf. Roberts, 'Oriental Illustrations,' p. 34), Egyptians (Lane), and other Oriental countries (Delitzsch).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Laban
לָבָ֔ן (lā·ḇān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob

replied,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“It is not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

our custom
יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה (yê·‘ā·śeh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

here
בִּמְקוֹמֵ֑נוּ (bim·qō·w·mê·nū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

to give the younger daughter
הַצְּעִירָ֖ה (haṣ·ṣə·‘î·rāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6810: Little, insignificant, young

in marriage
לָתֵ֥ת (lā·ṯêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

before
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the older.
הַבְּכִירָֽה׃ (hab·bə·ḵî·rāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1067: First-born (always of women)


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OT Law: Genesis 29:26 Laban said It is not done so (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 29:25
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