Genesis 29:20 Study Bible: Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

◄ Genesis 29:20 ►

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel
Jacob's service for Rachel reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of a bride price or dowry, where a prospective husband would offer a significant gift or service to the bride's family. This practice is seen in other biblical accounts, such as when Abraham's servant brought gifts for Rebekah's family (Genesis 24). Jacob's willingness to serve for seven years demonstrates his deep love and commitment, contrasting with the deceitful nature of his uncle Laban, who later tricks him into marrying Leah first. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible, suggesting the fullness of Jacob's dedication.

yet it seemed but a few days
This phrase highlights the intensity and sincerity of Jacob's love for Rachel. His perception of time is altered by his affection, a theme echoed in the Song of Solomon, where love is described as powerful and consuming (Song of Solomon 8:6-7). This idea of love transforming one's experience of time can also be seen in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to endure hardships with joy because of their love for Christ and the hope of eternal life (Hebrews 12:2).

because of his love for her
Jacob's love for Rachel is a central theme in this narrative, illustrating the biblical ideal of love as selfless and enduring. This love can be seen as a type of Christ's love for the Church, as described in Ephesians 5:25, where Christ's sacrificial love is the model for marital relationships. Jacob's love also contrasts with the more transactional relationships often seen in the ancient world, emphasizing the personal and relational nature of biblical love. This enduring love foreshadows the covenantal love God has for His people, which is steadfast and unchanging.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jacob
The son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob is a central figure in the account, known for his journey to Haran to find a wife and his deep love for Rachel.

2. Rachel
The younger daughter of Laban, Jacob's uncle. Rachel is described as beautiful and is the object of Jacob's affection, for whom he willingly serves seven years.

3. Laban
Jacob's uncle and father of Rachel and Leah. Laban is a shrewd character who takes advantage of Jacob's love for Rachel.

4. Haran
The place where Laban and his family live, and where Jacob flees to escape his brother Esau's wrath and to find a wife.

5. Seven Years of Service
The period Jacob agrees to work for Laban in exchange for marrying Rachel, demonstrating his commitment and love.

Teaching Points

The Power of Love
Jacob's love for Rachel was so profound that seven years felt like a few days. True love is patient and enduring, transcending time and hardship.

Commitment and Sacrifice
Jacob's willingness to serve for seven years teaches us about the importance of commitment and sacrifice in relationships. Love often requires us to put others before ourselves.

God's Timing
Jacob's account reminds us that God's timing is perfect. Though the wait may seem long, the fulfillment of His promises is worth the patience.

Integrity in Relationships
Despite Laban's deceit, Jacob remained committed to his word. This teaches us the importance of integrity and faithfulness in our commitments.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jacob's love for Rachel challenge our understanding of commitment in modern relationships?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate sacrificial love in our daily interactions with others?

3. How does the account of Jacob and Rachel encourage us to trust in God's timing for our lives?

4. What can we learn from Jacob's integrity and perseverance in the face of Laban's deceit?

5. How does Jacob's account connect with the New Testament teachings on love and marriage, particularly in Ephesians 5:25?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 24
The account of Isaac and Rebekah, which parallels Jacob's journey to find a wife, highlighting the theme of divine providence in marriage.

1 Corinthians 13
The "Love Chapter" that describes the nature of true love, which can be seen in Jacob's willingness to serve for Rachel.

Hosea 12:12
References Jacob's service for a wife, emphasizing the theme of labor and love.

Ephesians 5:25
Paul's exhortation for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, reflecting Jacob's sacrificial love for Rachel.

Sermons

Christ's Love for the Church	J.F. Montgomery	Genesis 29:20
The Power of True Affection	R.A. Redford	Genesis 29:20
Jacob's Lowly Estate	T. H. Leale.	Genesis 29:15-20
Jacob's Servitude	F. W. Robertson, M. A.	Genesis 29:15-20
Lessons	G. Hughes, B. D.	Genesis 29:15-20
Marriage Difficulties	D. G. Watt, M. A.	Genesis 29:15-20
Serving for a Bride		Genesis 29:15-20
The Education of Home	F. B. Meyer, B. A.	Genesis 29:15-20
The Purchase of a Wife	M. M. Kalisch, Ph. D.	Genesis 29:15-20
The Years of Exile and Servitude	T. S. Dickson.	Genesis 29:15-20
Jacob Among His Mother's Kindred	R.A. Redford	Genesis 29

People

Bilhah, Haran, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Levi, Nahor, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zilpah

Places

Paddan-aram

Topics

Jacob, Love, Loved, Loving, Rachel, Seemed, Served, Serveth, Seven, Single

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Genesis 29:20

     5702   husband
     5895   intimacy
     8299   love, in relationships

5095 Jacob, life

Genesis 29:18-22

5710 marriage, customs

Genesis 29:18-30

5659 bride

Genesis 29:20-21

5709 marriage, purpose

Genesis 29:20-30

4926 delay, human

Library

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Dispensation of the Divine Favours Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
O God, whose thunder shakes the sky, Whose eye this atom globe surveys, To thee, my only rock, I fly; Thy mercy in thy justice praise. Then why, my soul, dost thou complain? Why drooping seek the dark recess? Shake off the melancholy chain, For God created all to bless.--CHATTERTON. In the preceding part, we considered the doctrine of predestination, under the name of necessity, in its relation to the origin of evil. We there endeavoured to show that it denies the responsibility of man, and …
Albert Taylor Bledsoe—A Theodicy, or, Vindication of the Divine Glory

Jesus Works his First Miracle at Cana in Galilee.
^D John II. 1-11. ^d 1 And the third day [From the calling of Philip (John i. 43). The days enumerated in John's first two chapters constitute a week, and may perhaps be intended as a contrast to the last week of Christ's ministry ( John xii. 1). It took two days to journey from the Jordan to Cana] there was a marriage [In Palestine the marriage ceremony usually began at twilight. The feast after the marriage was at the home of the bridegroom, and was sometimes prolonged for several days (Gen. xxix. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Question of the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 7 ad 3m II. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. 19 III. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. 18 " Ep., cxxx. ad probam IV. Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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