Genesis 29:19-35 ▼

19 Laban (white) replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.”

20 So Jacob (he grasps the heel) served seven years for Rachel (little lamb), yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

21 Finally Jacob (he grasps the heel) said to Laban (white), “Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her.”

22 So Laban (white) invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast.

23 But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah (weary) and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her.

24 And Laban (white) gave his servant girl Zilpah (a trickling) to his daughter Leah (weary) as her maidservant.

25 When morning came, there was Leah (weary)! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban (white). “Wasn’t it for Rachel (little lamb) that I served you? Why have you deceived me?”

26 Laban (white) replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.

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

28 And Jacob (he grasps the heel) did just that. He finished the week’s celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel (little lamb) as his wife.

29 Laban also (white) gave his servant girl Bilhah (troubled) to his daughter Rachel (little lamb) as her maidservant.

30 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.

31 When the LORD {YHWH} saw that Leah (weary) was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel (little lamb) was barren.

32 And Leah (weary) conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben (behold a son), for she said, “The LORD {YHWH} has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”

33 Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD {YHWH} has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon (one who hears).

34 Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi (attached to).

35 And once more she conceived and gave birth to a son and said, “This time I will praise the LORD {YHWH}.” So she named him Judah (praise). Then Leah stopped having children.