Topical Bible: Seven: Years: Jacob Serves for Each of his Wives For

◄ Seven: Years: Jacob Serves for Each of his Wives For ►

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In the biblical narrative found in the Book of Genesis, the number seven holds significant importance, particularly in the account of Jacob's service for his wives, Leah and Rachel. This account is a pivotal moment in the patriarchal history of Israel and reflects themes of love, labor, and divine providence.

Context and Background

Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, fled to his uncle Laban's household in Paddan-aram to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. Upon arrival, Jacob encountered Rachel, Laban's younger daughter, and fell deeply in love with her. Desiring to marry Rachel, Jacob agreed to serve Laban for seven years as a bride price, a customary practice of the time.

The First Seven Years

Genesis 29:18-20 states, "Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, 'I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.' Laban replied, 'Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.' So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days to him because of his love for her."

Jacob's commitment to serve seven years for Rachel is a testament to his profound love and dedication. The passage highlights the intensity of Jacob's affection, as the years of labor seemed brief in comparison to his desire to be with Rachel.

The Deception and the Second Seven Years

Upon completing the seven years, Jacob requested his bride. However, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah, his elder daughter, instead of Rachel. Genesis 29:25-27 recounts, "So when morning came, there was Leah! 'What is this you have done to me?' Jacob said to Laban. 'Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?' Laban replied, 'It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older. Finish this week’s celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work.'"

Laban's deceit forced Jacob to serve an additional seven years for Rachel, whom he loved. This second period of service underscores the themes of perseverance and endurance in the face of adversity. Jacob's willingness to work another seven years demonstrates his unwavering commitment to Rachel and his acceptance of the cultural and familial obligations imposed upon him.

Significance in Biblical Theology

The account of Jacob's fourteen years of service is rich with theological implications. The number seven, often associated with completeness and divine order in the Bible, frames Jacob's labor as part of God's providential plan. Despite human deception and manipulation, God's purposes are ultimately fulfilled through Jacob's lineage, which becomes the foundation of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Moreover, the narrative illustrates the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of deceit. Laban's actions set in motion a series of events that would shape the future of Jacob's family, highlighting the interplay between human agency and divine sovereignty.

In summary, Jacob's fourteen years of service for Leah and Rachel is a profound account of love, sacrifice, and divine orchestration, woven into the larger tapestry of God's covenantal promises to the patriarchs.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 29:15-30
And 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

Library

The Marriages of Jacob are a Figure of the Church.
... in [the obtaining of] the younger, he again served seven years. ... and for the servants
in both, Christ even now serves. ... of the bond women born to Jacob were all ...
/.../chapter cxxxiv the marriages of jacob.htm

The Kingdom Foreshadowed
... and Ending Dates: 4004 BC to 1689 BC, making 2315 years. ... Name the seven promises
made to Abraham in Chapter 15 ... How long did Jacob serve for his wives and cattle ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/i the kingdom foreshadowed.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... This occurrence serves to illustrate the low standard of morals prevalent among
the Canaanites ... Seven years later when Joseph was thirtyseven, Jacob came to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... son Solomon had three hundred wives, and seven hundred concubines ... man of good life,
whereas in Greek each of these ... which, then, of these senses did Jacob sin in ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Chapter iv
... as others who may yet arrive at years of maturity ... 37:1; then follows the story of
Jacob at length ... the fact that one group runs through seven generations before ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm

The vision of Paul.
... in there, they hardly reach the bottom in fifty years. ... well, and I found it sealed
with seven seals: and ... archangels, and Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob, and all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the vision of paul/the vision of paul.htm

Chapter xxvi
... seem justified: there were originally "seven" wells; the ... position of hard rigorous
service for twenty years. ... And Esau harboured enmity against Jacob because of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... He lived after his trial a hundred and forty years (42:16 ... Of these forty-one psalms,
thirty-seven bear the name of ... or some epithet"my God, God of Jacob, etc. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... and owing to them, the sea rather serves to bring ... but the warrior chiefs to which
each band gave ... Ramses reigned only six or seven years, and associated Seti ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: by this the ... unto him, I have reserved
to myself seven thousand men ... while I was yet but eighteen years of age ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm