Topical Encyclopedia Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Book of Genesis. His life is marked by a series of significant events that shape the history of the Israelite people. One of the most notable episodes in Jacob's life is his service of fourteen years to obtain his wives, Leah and Rachel.After deceiving his brother Esau and obtaining the blessing of the firstborn from his father Isaac, Jacob fled to his uncle Laban's household in Paddan Aram to escape Esau's wrath (Genesis 27:41-45). Upon his arrival, Jacob encountered Rachel, Laban's younger daughter, at a well and fell deeply in love with her (Genesis 29:10-11). Desiring to marry Rachel, Jacob agreed to serve Laban for seven years as a bride price (Genesis 29:18-20). The Berean Standard Bible recounts Jacob's dedication and love for Rachel: "So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days to him because of his love for her" (Genesis 29:20). However, Laban, known for his cunning and deceit, tricked Jacob on the wedding night by giving him Leah, Rachel's older sister, instead (Genesis 29:23-25). When Jacob confronted Laban about the deception, Laban justified his actions by citing the local custom that the older daughter must be married before the younger (Genesis 29:26). Laban then offered Rachel to Jacob in exchange for another seven years of service, to which Jacob agreed (Genesis 29:27-28). Jacob's fourteen years of service to Laban highlight several key themes in the biblical narrative. First, the episode underscores the principle of sowing and reaping. Jacob, who had previously deceived his father and brother, now found himself deceived by Laban. This reflects the biblical theme of divine justice and the consequences of one's actions. Second, Jacob's perseverance and commitment to Rachel demonstrate the power of love and dedication. Despite the deception and additional years of labor, Jacob's love for Rachel remained steadfast, illustrating the biblical ideal of love's enduring nature. Finally, the account of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel sets the stage for the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel. Leah and Rachel, along with their maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah, bore Jacob twelve sons who would become the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel (Genesis 29:31-30:24). Jacob's service to Laban, marked by love, labor, and eventual reward, is a pivotal chapter in the Genesis narrative, reflecting the complexities of human relationships and the unfolding of God's covenant promises through the lineage of Jacob. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 29:15-30And Laban said to Jacob, Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nothing? tell me, what shall your wages be? Nave's Topical Index Hosea 12:12 Library Chapter xxxiv Chapter xlvi Resources Who was Jacob in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel? | GotQuestions.org How could Jacob not notice he married Leah instead of Rachel? | GotQuestions.org Jacob: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jacob Jacob: Charges his Sons to Bury Him in the Field of Machpelah Jacob: Deborah, Rebekah's Nurse, Dies, and is Buried at Beth-El Jacob: Dissatisfied With Laban's Treatment and Returns to the Land of Canaan Jacob: Dreads to Meet Esau; Sends Him Presents; Wrestles With an Angel Jacob: Erects a Monument at Rachel's Grave Jacob: Esau Seeks to Kill, Escapes to Padan-Aram Jacob: Exacts a Promise from Joseph to Bury Him With his Forefathers Jacob: Fradulently Obtains his Father's Blessing Jacob: Given in Answer to Prayer Jacob: Gives the Land of the Amorites to Joseph Jacob: God Confirms the Covenant of Abraham To Jacob: Hears That Joseph is Still Alive Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Jacob: His Daughter, Dinah, is Raped Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Asher Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Benjamin Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Dan Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Gad Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Issachar Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Joseph Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Judah Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Naphtali Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Simeon and Levi Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Upon Reuben Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Zebulun Jacob: His Grief Over the Detention of Simeon and the Demand for Benjamin to be Taken Into Egypt Jacob: His Grief Over the Loss of Joseph Jacob: His Partiality for his Son, Joseph, and the Consequent Jealousy of his Other Sons Jacob: His Vision of the Ladder Jacob: Joseph's Prophetic Dream Concerning Jacob: Journeys to Shalem, where he Purchase a Parcel of Ground from Hamor and Erects an Altar Jacob: List of the Names of his Twelve Sons Jacob: Lives in Egypt for Seventeen Years Jacob: Lives in the Land of Canaan Jacob: Meets Angels of God on the Journey, and Calls the Place "Mahanaim" Jacob: Obtains Esau's Birthright for Just One Bowl of Stew Jacob: Pharaoh Receives Him, and is Blessed by Jacob Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants Jacob: Reconciliation of, With Esau Jacob: Returns to Arbah, the City of his Father Jacob: Returns to Beth-El, where he Builds an Altar, and Erects and Dedicates a Pillar Jacob: Sends to Egypt to Buy Corn (Grain) Jacob: Serves Fourteen Years for Leah and Rachel Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban Jacob: Sojourns in Haran With his Uncle, Laban Jacob: Son of Isaac, and the Twin Brother of Esau Jacob: The Incest of his Son, Reuben, With his Concubine, Bilhah Jacob: The Land of Goshen Assigned To Jacob: The List of his Children and Grandchildren Who Went Down Into Egypt Related Terms |
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