Genesis 29:1–20

Jacob Arrives at Laban’s Home

29Jacob continued on his way and went towards the land of the East. ²Suddenly he came upon a well out in the fields with three flocks of sheep lying round it. The flocks were watered from this well, which had a large stone over the opening. ³Whenever all the flocks came together there, the shepherds would roll the stone back and water them. Then they would put the stone back in place.

⁴Jacob asked the shepherds, “My friends, where are you from?”

“From Haran,” they answered.

⁵He asked, “Do you know Laban, grandson of Nahor?”

“Yes, we do,” they answered.

⁶“Is he well?” he asked.

“He is well,” they answered. “Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with his flock.”

⁷Jacob said, “Since it is still broad daylight and not yet time to bring the flocks in, why don’t you water them and take them back to pasture?”

⁸They answered, “We can’t do that until all the flocks are here and the stone has been rolled back; then we will water the flocks.”

⁹While Jacob was still talking to them, Rachel arrived with the flock. ¹⁰When Jacob saw Rachel with his uncle Laban’s flock, he went to the well, rolled the stone back, and watered the sheep. ¹¹Then he kissed her and began to cry for joy. ¹²He told her, “I am your father’s relative, the son of Rebecca.”

She ran to tell her father; ¹³and when he heard the news about his nephew Jacob, he ran to meet him, hugged him and kissed him, and brought him into the house. When Jacob told Laban everything that had happened, ¹⁴Laban said, “Yes, indeed, you are my own flesh and blood.” Jacob stayed there a whole month.

Jacob Serves Laban for Rachel and Leah

¹⁵Laban said to Jacob, “You shouldn’t work for me for nothing just because you are my relative. How much pay do you want?” ¹⁶Laban had two daughters; the elder was named Leah, and the younger Rachel. ¹⁷Leah had lovely^p eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.

¹⁸Jacob was in love with Rachel, so he said, “I will work seven years for you, if you will let me marry Rachel.”

¹⁹Laban answered, “I would rather give her to you than to anyone else; stay here with me.” ²⁰Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her.