Why did Jacob marry Rachel and Leah?
Jacob then married Rachel and worked for Laban another seven years for her. Jacob loved Rachel but was indifferent toward Leah. God took pity on Leah and allowed her to bear children, while Rachel was barren. Jealous of her sister, Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife.
How many children did Jacob and Leah have in the Bible?
Jacob and Leah had six sons and a daughter; Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant, bore Jacob two sons; Jacob and Rachel had two sons together; and Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant, bore Jacob another two sons (Genesis 35:23–36).
What is the difference between Leah and Rachel in the Bible?
The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah's eyes were weak,[ a] but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. 18 Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
How did Jacob fall in love with Rachel in the Bible?
He notices Laban's younger daughter Rachel and falls in love with her. After Laban asks Jacob what his wages should be, it is noted that “ Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’” ( Genesis 29:18 ).
How long after Jacob married Leah did he marry Rachel?
Tricked by his father-in-law into marrying his true love's sister, Jacob waited 14 years before he could be with Rachel.
Who is the husband of Leah in the Bible?
JacobLeah is the elder daughter of Laban and the wife of Jacob, father of twelve sons who will become the twelve tribes of Israel.
Who was married to Rachel in the Bible?
The younger daughter of Laban and the wife of Jacob, Rachel is the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, who become two of the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen 35:24; 46:15–18).
Did Jacob marry Leah or Rachel?
Jacob is eager to marry Rachel and agrees to provide seven years' labor to her father if he can marry her. Laban initially agrees but, on the night of what would've been Jacob and Rachel's wedding, Laban reneges; he insists Jacob marry Leah instead, as she is older.
Why did Jacob marry Leah before he married Rachel?
Forced to serve Rachel's father, Laban, for seven years to win her, Jacob was tricked at the end of that time into marrying her sister, Leah. He was then allowed to marry Rachel as well, in return for seven more years of labour.
How old was Rachel when she got married?
twenty-two years oldThe midrash relates that Rachel was twenty-two years old when she was married to Jacob (Seder Olam Rabbah 2), and her barrenness lasted for fourteen years (Seder Eliyahu Rabbah 18, p. 99).
How old was Rachel when she got pregnant?
Rachel Weisz, 48 Rachel Weisz gave birth to her first child with Daniel Craig when she was 48.
How old was Jacob when he married Leah Rachel?
Jacob was 77 years old, and he loved Rachel immediately. After spending a month with his relatives he asked for her hand in marriage in return for working seven years for Laban the Aramean. Laban agreed to the arrangement.
What does Leah symbolize in the Bible?
Leah is a biblical name of Hebrew origin that means delicate or weary. Origin: The name Leah comes from the Hebrew word la'ah, which means weary. It is found in the Old Testament of the Bible, notably in the book of Genesis.
What does the story of Leah teach us?
While Jacob may have “settled for” Leah, Leah herself doesn't settle. She learns to set aside her idols of marriage, children, and family, and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances. It's then that God demonstrates how He faithfully cherishes and He faithfully pursues.
How many wives did Jacob in the Bible have?
The latter third of the book of Genesis relates the complex and vola- tile relationship of the patriarch Jacob, his four wives, and their thirteen children (twelve sons, one daughter).
Who was Jacob's favorite wife?
RachelRachel (Hebrew: רָחֵל, romanized: Rāḥēl, lit. 'ewe') was a Biblical figure, the favorite of Jacob's two wives, and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, two of the twelve progenitors of the tribes of Israel. Rachel's father was Laban. Her older sister was Leah, Jacob's first wife.
Who were leahs children?
JudahDinahReubenLeviSimeonIssacharLeah/Children
Why did Leah and her husband divorce?
The two separated in 2010 after Leah had doubts about their relationship, but eventually reunited and got engaged later in 2010. They married in October shortly before the twins' first birthday. However in April 2011, Leah admitted to having cheated on Corey, which led to their divorce in June 2011.
Why did Leah name him Judah?
Because she named her fourth son, Judah. Judah means Praise. Genesis 29v 35 She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, This time I will praise the LORD. So she named him Judah.
How old was Jacob when he got married to Leah?
These seven years seemed to Jacob "but a few days, for the love he had for her." When they were complete and he was 84 years old he asked for his wife, but Laban deceived him by switching Rachel for her older sister, Leah, as the veiled bride.
Why did Laban give Leah as his wife?
Why did he do this?; because of the family tradition that the older daughter should marry first.
Why did Leah favor Rachel?
Nevertheless, he favored Rachel because that’s whom he originally loved and spent more time with her. Although this was the case, she was unable to become pregnant because the LORD GOD closed her womb. However, Leah was able to have children. Leah had Reuben, she had Simeon, Levi, and Judah before Rachel had even had one child (Genesis 29).
How many daughters did Laban have?
Laban had two daughters, Leah was the older and Rachel the younger whom Jacob had already met. Leah was tender-eyed; she was not drop-dead gorgeous or as shapely as her sister. Rachel on the other hand was very beautiful, voluptuous, and well-favored by everybody.
How long did Jacob labor for Laban?
Jacob Labored 14 Years for the Daughters of Laban. When Jacob arose the next morning and realize he married the wrong sister he was upset. He was angry on a lot of fronts, mainly to learn that he would have to work another seven years in order to marry Rachel.
Why did Jacob roll the stone from the mouth of the well?
She was beautiful; he rolled the heavy stone from the mouth of the well for her to water her flock of sheep. He introduced himself and they embraced. After she informed her family of Jacob‘s presence, everybody was happy to see him. They all came together embraced and kissed him.
Who did Jacob marry in Genesis 29?
Genesis 29: Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel. Genesis 29, Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel: Jacob continued his journey to Syria which was called visiting the land of the people of the east. He got to Haran and met some men who knew of Laban.
Did Leah have children?
However, Leah was able to have children. Leah had Reuben, she had Simeon, Levi, and Judah before Rachel had even had one child (Genesis 29).
Who did Leah give to Jacob?
After that, Leah gives him her handmaid Zilpah as a surrogate, and they have two sons (Gad and Asher). Then, Leah has two more sons with Jacob (Issachar and Zebulun) and a daughter (Dinah). Only then are we told that God opens Rachel’s womb and she gives birth to Joseph.
When evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to him?
Gen 29:23 When evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to him; and he cohabited with her.
What does Laban ask Jacob after he works for a month?
After Jacob works for a month (29:14), Laban asks him to name his wages:
What is the name of Laban's daughter?
Gen 29:16 Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older one was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 29:17 Leah had weak eyes; Rachel was shapely and beautiful. 29:8 Jacob loved Rachel; so he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”.
How long did Jacob work for Laban?
This, of course, was Laban’s intention the whole time, to trap Jacob into working for him for fourteen years and at the same time marry off both his daughters, including the less attractive one for whom Laban would not have otherwise gotten such a large bride-price as he received for Rachel.
What does Jacob tell Rachel about her father?
Jacob quickly helps her water the flocks and is overcome with emotion; he kisses her and begins to weep, telling her that he is her father’s sister’s son . Rachel then runs home to tell her father, and Laban comes, hugs and kisses him, and brings him home.
How much did a man have to pay his father before marrying a woman?
Before a man could marry a woman, he needed to pay her father a מֹהַר ( mohar ), alternatively translated as “bride-price” or “bride-wealth.” [4] Deuteronomy mentions a payment of fifty shekels of silver, [5] though the payment may have differed based on time, place, and even the social status of the woman.
How did Leah and Rachel deal with jealousy?
In the case of Leah and Rachel, I think it’s safe to say that both of them had to deal with the ugly side of jealousy by feeling it themselves and being on the receiving end.
What did God see in Leah?
God saw the rejection that Leah faced, and knew what having sons would mean to her. He saw how she was not loved as she deserved to be and because of her age or lack of suitors she was married to a man that desired someone else… her own sister. Her security eventually turns from a human to her heavenly Father.
How long did Jacob work for Laban?
As we see in Jacob’s deep desire for Rachel to be his bride, he worked for Laban not just 7 years, but 14 years even with a big switcheroo played on him in the middle. I am sure that made Rachel feel like the queen of the ball that a man desired her that much.
What did Jacob say to Rachel?
After Laban asks Jacob what his wages should be, it is noted that “ Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’”. ( Genesis 29:18 ). When those seven years are over the father then plays a big switcheroo on Jacob and gives him the older sister, Leah, ...
Why did God give special attention to Leah?
Because of this, God gave special attention to Leah, and enabled her to have four sons. Because of Leah’s blessing to bear Jacob children, this in turn, created jealousy inside of Rachel. “When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, ‘Give me children, or I’ll die!’”.
What is the blessing we see in Leah's life?
The blessing we see in Leah’s life is that her dependence on Jacob’s love and attention slowly turns toward God.
Where did Leah find her security?
Leah found her security in her Lord and no one could take that away.
Who deceived Jacob and Rachel?
Laban agreed, but after seven years, he deceived Jacob. On the night that Jacob and Rachel were to be married, Laban gave Rachel’s older sister, Leah, to him as a wife instead. Jacob protested, but Laban argued that it wasn’t the custom to give the younger daughter in marriage first.
What happened to Rachel and Jacob?
The story of Jacob and Rachel ended tragically, as Rachel died giving birth to her second child, Benjamin. Rachel named him Ben-Oni (“son of my trouble”), but Jacob renamed him Benjamin (“son of my right hand”). Rachel “was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day ...
What did Jacob do before he crossed the Jabbok River?
He still feared Esau’s anger, and he sent gifts to satisfy him before he arrived. The night before Jacob crossed the Jabbok River, he “ wrestled with God ” and was given the name “Israel” along with God’s blessing.
How many wives did Jacob have?
In exchange for fourteen years of labor, Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel. Jacob showed favoritism to Rachael and loved her more than Leah. God compensated for the lack of love Leah received by enabling her to have children and closing Rachel’s womb for a time ( Genesis 29:31 ).
Where did Jacob and Rachel move to?
After twenty years with Laban, Jacob and Leah and Rachel, now very wealthy, moved their family back to Canaan. As they were leaving Laban’s house, Rachel stole her father’s teraphim and lied about having them ( Genesis 31 ). As he drew closer home, Jacob knew that he would have to face Esau again.
Did Jacob and Leah get pregnant?
Genesis 30:16 says, “When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, ‘You must come in to me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes .’. So he lay with her that night, ” and Leah became pregnant.
Who was buried in the same tomb as Rachel?
Jacob and Leah’s marriage lasted longer, but eventually Leah, too, died in Canaan and was buried in the same tomb as Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and Rebekah ( Genesis 49:30–32 ). Jacob and his son Joseph would later be buried in this tomb as ...
What is the marriage of Rachel in the Bible?
The marriage of Rachel in the Bible was one of the most captivating episodes recorded in the book of Genesis, a story of love triumphing over lies. Isaac, the father of Jacob, wanted his son to marry from among their own people, so he sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to find a wife among the daughters of Laban, ...
Who were the sons of Rachel in the Bible?
Genesis 30:22. Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb. (NIV) Genesis 35:24. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. (NIV). Jack Zavada, a career writer, and contributor for Dotdash and is host to a Christian website for singles. Never married, Jack feels that the hard-won lessons he has learned may help other Christian ...
How many children did Bilhah have?
Bilhah bore children to Jacob, causing Leah to give her servant Zilpah to Jacob, who had children with her. Altogether, the four women bore 12 sons and one daughter, Dinah. Those sons became the founders of the 12 tribes of Israel. Rachel bore Joseph, then the entire clan left Laban's country to return to Isaac.
What does Rachel's name mean in the Bible?
Scripture says Rachel was beautiful. Her name means "ewe" in Hebrew. Instead of giving Laban the traditional bride-price, Jacob agreed to work for Laban seven years to earn Rachel's hand in marriage. But on the night of the marriage, Laban deceived Jacob. Laban substituted Leah, his older daughter, and in the darkness, Jacob thought Leah was Rachel.
What did Rachel steal from her father?
Unbeknownst to Jacob, Rachel stole her father's household gods or teraphim. When Laban caught up with them, he searched for the idols, but Rachel had hidden the statues under her camel's saddle. She told her father she was having her period, making her ceremonially unclean, so he did not search near her.
Why was Rachel jealous of her sister?
Rachel was jealous of her sister Leah. She was manipulative to try to gain Jacob's favor. She also stole her father's idols; the reason was unclear.
What are the accomplishments of Rachel in the Bible?
Accomplishments of Rachel in the Bible. Rachel gave birth to Joseph, one of the most important figures of the Old Testament, who saved the nation of Israel during a famine. She also bore Benjamin and was a faithful wife to Jacob.
Where did Jacob live when he married Rachel and Leah?
According to Britannica, the region in which Jacob lived when he married Rachel and Leah was Harran, which is in the modern-day nation of Turkey . It's not a huge stretch, then, to assume that Rachel and Leah weren't unlike modern Turkish women. If you're unclear what modern Turkish women look like, you can see four of them in the image above.
How did Jacob fall in love with Rachel?
To set the scene of how Jacob came to be in love with Rachel: As National Geographic explains, he was fleeing from his brother, Esau, when he took refuge in the household of his cousin, Laban. There, he fell in love with Laban's daughter, Rachel, and asked to marry her. However, Laban wanted Jacob to pay for Rachel, and indeed, Jacob worked for his relative for seven years to earn her hand. But according to the text, it only "seemed like a few days" to him because he was so in love with her.
Is Rachel beautiful in the Bible?
Actually, yes. The Bible describes Rachel as "beautiful and lovely" — or similar words, depending on the English translation. Leah, however, is described as having "weak eyes." As Rabbi Sarah Mack writes in T'Ruah, the Hebrew word in that passage could be translated in several ways, and the contextual clues here don't really help. Was Leah visually impaired? Were her eyes droopy and unattractive? For whatever it's worth, Mack believes that her eyes were "weak" in a metaphorical sense from crying over how little Jacob loved her compared to her sister.
How old were Rachel and Leah when they got married?
The Seder Olam Rabba (ed. Leiner) states ( ch. 2) that they were twins and were both 22 when they got married: Thus, Rachel and Leah were both married at age 22, for they were twins. According to Rav Chaim Kanievsky's sefer Lamechsa Atik, which gives names and dates and other unspecified details for the Chumash, ...
How old were the two people in the Seder Olam Rabbah?
According to Rav Chaim Kanievsky's sefer Lamechsa Atik, which gives names and dates and other unspecified details for the Chumash, the Vilna Gaon's version of Seder Olam Rabbah has it that they were both 21.
How old were the twins in the Seder?
The Seder Olam Rabba (ed. Leiner) states ( ch. 2) that they were twins and were both 22 when they got married:
Marriage and Bride-Price in The Bible
Marriage Contracts in The Ancient Near East
- In addition to the bride-price, ancient Near Eastern documents also mention a marriage contract. For example, the Laws of Eshnunna, dating to the 20th centuryB.C.E., states (⸹28): Similarly, the 18thcentury Laws of Hammurabi state (⸹128): The word used for “marriage contract” in both cases is riksātum. Martha Roth translates this as “formal contract,” highlighting the legal nature …
The Betrothal and Terms
- When a girl’s father agreed to a union between a suiter and his daughter, the suiter often did not have the bride-price handy. This may be one reason for the betrothal period, what the rabbis call ʾerusin (from the root א.ר.שׂ). The girl’s betrothal to the man made her unavailable to other men, but she still lived with her father until the man paid the bride-price. Another reason for the betrot…
Marriage to Leah
- Upon completing his side of the bargain, Jacob insists to Laban that it is time for him to fulfill his side: While Jacob’s comment may sound overly forward, it reflects the stage of full marriage, what the rabbis call nisuin (from the root נ.שׂ.א),which is accompanied by consummation: Laban agrees to this, and after a celebratory feast, the marriage takes place: The problem, of course, is that La…
A Second Marriage in Reverse Order
- Laban does not stop there, but offers Jacob a way forward: This, of course, was Laban’s intention the whole time, to trap Jacob into working for him for fourteen years and at the same time marry off both his daughters, including the less attractive one for whom Laban would not have otherwise gotten such a large bride-price as he received for Rachel. Nevertheless, Laban understands that …
Children: The Culmination of Marriage
- The discussion above, which sees consummation as the final step of marriage, works with an economic model; the husband supplies money and the father supplies the sexual rights to his daughter. But the birth of a child can also be seen as the culmination or final stage of marriage, since this is one of the main reasons for marriage.In fact, many ancient Near Eastern marriage c…