Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. New Living Translation So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her much more than Leah. He then stayed and worked for Laban the additional seven years. English Standard Version So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years. Berean Standard Bible Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. Berean Literal Bible And he went in also to Rachel, and he loved Rachel also, more than Leah, and he served with him yet another seven years. King James Bible And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. New King James Version Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years. New American Standard Bible So Jacob had relations with Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years. NASB 1995 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years. NASB 1977 So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years. Legacy Standard Bible So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years. Amplified Bible So Jacob consummated his marriage and lived with Rachel [as his wife], and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years. Berean Annotated Bible Jacob slept with Rachel (little lamb) as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah (weary). So he worked for Laban another seven years. Christian Standard Bible Jacob slept with Rachel also, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. Holman Christian Standard Bible Jacob slept with Rachel also, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. American Standard Version And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. English Revised Version And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. GOD'S WORD® Translation Jacob slept with Rachel too. He loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. Good News Translation Jacob had intercourse with Rachel also, and he loved her more than Leah. Then he worked for Laban another seven years. International Standard Version Jacob also married Rachel, since he loved her. He served Laban another full seven years' work for Rachel. NET Bible Jacob had marital relations with Rachel as well. He loved Rachel more than Leah, so he worked for Laban for seven more years. New Heart English Bible So he slept with Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked with him another seven years. Webster's Bible Translation And he went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. World English Bible He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he also goes in to Rachel, and he also loves Rachel more than Leah; and he serves with him yet seven other years. Berean Literal Bible And he went in also to Rachel, and he loved Rachel also, more than Leah, and he served with him yet another seven years. Young's Literal Translation And he goeth in also unto Rachel, and he also loveth Rachel more than Leah; and he serveth with him yet seven other years. Smith's Literal Translation And he will go in also to Rachel, and he will also love Rachel more than Leah, and he will serve with him yet other seven years. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd having at length obtained the marriage he wished for, he preferred the love of the latter before the former, and served with him other seven years. Catholic Public Domain Version And, having at last obtained the marriage he desired, he preferred the love of the latter before the former, and he served with him another seven years. New American Bible Jacob then consummated his marriage with Rachel also, and he loved her more than Leah. Thus he served Laban another seven years. New Revised Standard Version So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He served Laban for another seven years. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he went in unto Rachel also, and he loved Rachel also more than Leah, and served with Laban another seven years. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he went in also unto Rakhyl and he loved Rakhyl also more than Leah, and he worked with him again seven more years. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he went in to Rachel; and he loved Rachel more than Lea; and he served him seven other years. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel…29Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. 30Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. Cross References Jacob slept with Rachel as well, 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. / Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Proverbs 5:18-19 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: / A loving doe, a graceful fawn—may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever. and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. Deuteronomy 21:15-17 If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him. 1 Samuel 1:5-6 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. Genesis 37:3-4 Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. So he worked for Laban another seven years. Genesis 31:38-41 I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. / I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night. / As it was, the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. … Hosea 12:12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep. Genesis 31:7-9 And although he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, God has not allowed him to harm me. / If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore speckled offspring. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore streaked offspring. / Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me. Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 30:26-28 Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.” / But Laban replied, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.” / And he added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.” Genesis 31:41 Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times! Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 16:4-5 And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. / Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be upon you! I delivered my servant into your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has treated me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me.” Exodus 21:10 If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife. 1 Samuel 1:2 He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. Treasury of Scripture And he went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. he loved. Genesis 29:20,31 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her… Genesis 44:20,27 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him… Deuteronomy 21:15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: served. Genesis 29:18 And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. Genesis 30:25,26 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country… Genesis 31:15,41 Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money… Jump to Previous Indeed Jacob Lay Loved Rachel Served Serveth Seven Wife Worked WorkingJump to Next Indeed Jacob Lay Loved Rachel Served Serveth Seven Wife Worked WorkingGenesis 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. Jacob slept with Rachel as well This phrase indicates the consummation of Jacob's marriage to Rachel, which followed the completion of Leah's bridal week. In the cultural context of the time, marriage was often solidified through physical union. Jacob's desire to marry Rachel was initially thwarted by Laban's deception, which led to Leah becoming his first wife. This act of sleeping with Rachel signifies the fulfillment of Jacob's original intent to marry her, highlighting the importance of love and personal choice in marriage, even within the constraints of ancient customs. and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah So he worked for Laban another seven years Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob is a central patriarch in the biblical account. He is known for his journey to Haran, where he works for Laban and marries Leah and Rachel. 2. Rachel The younger daughter of Laban, Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob. Her beauty and Jacob's love for her are significant themes in this account. 3. Leah The elder daughter of Laban, Leah becomes Jacob's first wife through Laban's deception. Despite being less loved, she plays a crucial role in the lineage of Israel. 4. Laban The father of Leah and Rachel, Laban is a shrewd and manipulative figure who deceives Jacob into working for him for many years. 5. Haran The place where Jacob flees to escape Esau's wrath and where he meets and marries Leah and Rachel. Teaching Points The Complexity of Human RelationshipsJacob's love for Rachel over Leah illustrates the complexities and challenges in human relationships, especially within families. It reminds us of the importance of fairness and love in all our relationships. Consequences of Deception Laban's deception leads to long-term family strife. This serves as a warning about the destructive nature of deceit and the importance of integrity. God's Sovereignty in Imperfect Situations Despite the flawed human actions, God's plan continues to unfold. Leah, though less loved, becomes the mother of Judah, an ancestor of Jesus, showing God's ability to work through imperfect circumstances. The Nature of True Love Jacob's preferential love for Rachel over Leah challenges us to reflect on the nature of true love, which should be selfless and unconditional, as described in 1 Corinthians 13. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 29:30?2. How does Jacob's love for Rachel reflect Christ's love for the Church? 3. What lessons on patience can we learn from Jacob's service for Rachel? 4. How does Genesis 29:30 connect to the concept of covenantal love in Scripture? 5. How can we apply Jacob's perseverance in our own relationships today? 6. What does Jacob's commitment teach us about honoring commitments in marriage? 7. Why did Jacob love Rachel more than Leah in Genesis 29:30? 8. How does Genesis 29:30 reflect on polygamy in biblical times? 9. What does Genesis 29:30 reveal about God's view on marriage? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 29? 11. Who was Bilhah in the Bible? 12. Luke 14:26: Why does Jesus command followers to “hate” their family, contradicting the biblical admonition to honor parents (Exodus 20:12)? 13. Who was Rachel in the Bible? 14. Why did Jesus say to hate our parents? What Does Genesis 29:30 Mean Jacob slept with Rachel as well“Jacob slept with Rachel as well” signals the consummation of the second marriage in Jacob’s household. • The narrative continues the sequence begun in Genesis 29:21–28, where Jacob’s desire to marry Rachel led to the first seven‐year service period. • Scripture presents this act as lawful within the culture of the day, though later revelation (e.g., Matthew 19:4-6) clarifies God’s design for one-man/one-woman marriage. • The verse reminds readers that human choices—even those outside God’s ideal—are recorded honestly, never glossing over imperfections (cf. Genesis 16:1-4 with Abraham and Hagar). Indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah Jacob’s preference creates tension that will shape the family’s future. • The phrase highlights unequal affection, foreshadowing the rivalry detailed in Genesis 29:31–30:24 and mirrored later in Joseph’s favored-son status (Genesis 37:3-4). • Scripture repeatedly warns against favoritism (Deuteronomy 21:15-17; James 2:1), yet it also shows God working through flawed relationships to accomplish His covenant promises (Romans 8:28). • Leah’s eventual prominence in Israel’s story—she becomes ancestress to Judah and ultimately to Messiah (Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:2)—demonstrates the Lord’s compassion for the unloved (Psalm 146:9). So he worked for Laban another seven years Jacob’s extended service underscores both his commitment to Rachel and Laban’s exploitation. • The additional “seven years” mirrors the first period (Genesis 29:20), emphasizing the cost Jacob willingly bears for love. • Laban’s manipulation serves as poetic justice for Jacob, who earlier deceived his own father (Genesis 27:35-36). Galatians 6:7 echoes the principle: “whatever a man sows, he will reap.” • God uses the prolonged stay to grow Jacob’s household into a burgeoning family, positioning them for the covenant expansion foretold in Genesis 28:14. summary Genesis 29:30 records a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life: the consummation of his marriage to Rachel, the admission that his love is unequally divided between two sisters, and the beginning of a second seven-year term under Laban’s authority. The verse exposes human frailty—favoritism, deception, and polygamy—while simultaneously showcasing God’s sovereign ability to advance His redemptive plan through imperfect people. Verse 30. - And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah (implying, however, that Leah had a place in his affections), and served with him yet seven other years. The seven years cunningly exacted for Leah was thus the second fraud practiced upon Jacob (Genesis 30:26; Genesis 31:41; Hosea 12:12). CHAPTER 29:31-35 Hebrew Jacob slept withוַיָּבֹא֙ (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go Rachel רָחֵ֔ל (rā·ḥêl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob as well, גַּ֣ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and and indeed, גַּֽם־ (gam-) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and he loved וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב (way·ye·’ĕ·haḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 157: To have affection f Rachel רָחֵ֖ל (rā·ḥêl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob more than Leah. מִלֵּאָ֑ה (mil·lê·’āh) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3812: Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacob So he worked וַיַּעֲבֹ֣ד (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave for עִמּ֔וֹ (‘im·mōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with Laban ע֖וֹד (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more another אֲחֵרֽוֹת׃ (’ă·ḥê·rō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other seven שֶֽׁבַע־ (še·ḇa‘-) Number - feminine singular Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number years. שָׁנִ֥ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8141: A year Links Genesis 29:30 NIVGenesis 29:30 NLT Genesis 29:30 ESV Genesis 29:30 NASB Genesis 29:30 KJV Genesis 29:30 BibleApps.com Genesis 29:30 Biblia Paralela Genesis 29:30 Chinese Bible Genesis 29:30 French Bible Genesis 29:30 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 29:30 He went in also to Rachel (Gen. 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