1Da machte sich Jakob auf den Weg und ging in das Land der Söhne des Ostens2und sah sich um, und siehe, da war ein Brunnen auf dem Felde; und siehe, drei Herden Schafe lagen dabei, denn von dem Brunnen pflegten sie die Herden zu tränken. Und ein großer Stein lag vor dem Loch des Brunnens.3Und sie pflegten die Herden alle dort zu versammeln und den Stein von dem Brunnenloch zu wälzen und die Schafe zu tränken und taten alsdann den Stein wieder vor das Loch an seine Stelle.4Und Jakob sprach zu ihnen: Meine Brüder, wo seid ihr her? Sie antworteten: Wir sind von Haran.5Er sprach zu ihnen: Kennt ihr auch Laban, den Sohn Nahors? Sie antworteten: Ja, wir kennen ihn. (1Mo 24,10; 1Mo 24,24)6Er sprach: Geht es ihm auch gut? Sie antworteten: Es geht ihm gut; und siehe, da kommt seine Tochter Rahel mit den Schafen.7Er sprach: Es ist noch hoher Tag und ist noch nicht Zeit, das Vieh einzutreiben; tränkt die Schafe und geht hin und weidet sie.8Sie antworteten: Wir können es nicht, bis alle Herden zusammengebracht sind und wir den Stein von des Brunnens Loch gewälzt haben. Dann tränken wir die Schafe.9Als er noch mit ihnen redete, kam Rahel mit den Schafen ihres Vaters, denn sie hütete die Schafe.10Als Jakob aber Rahel sah, die Tochter Labans, des Bruders seiner Mutter, und die Schafe Labans, des Bruders seiner Mutter, trat er hinzu und wälzte den Stein von dem Loch des Brunnens und tränkte die Schafe Labans, des Bruders seiner Mutter.11Und er küsste Rahel und weinte laut12und sagte ihr, dass er ihres Vaters Verwandter wäre und Rebekkas Sohn. Da lief sie und sagte es ihrem Vater.13Als aber Laban hörte von Jakob, seiner Schwester Sohn, lief er ihm entgegen und herzte und küsste ihn und führte ihn in sein Haus. Da erzählte er Laban alles, was sich begeben hatte.14Da sprach Laban zu ihm: Fürwahr, du bist von meinem Gebein und Fleisch. Und als er nun einen Monat lang bei ihm gewesen war,15sprach Laban zu Jakob: Zwar bist du mein Verwandter, aber solltest du mir darum umsonst dienen? Sage an, was soll dein Lohn sein?16Laban aber hatte zwei Töchter; die ältere hieß Lea, die jüngere Rahel.17Leas Augen waren sanft, Rahel aber war schön von Gestalt und von Angesicht.18Und Jakob gewann Rahel lieb und sprach: Ich will dir sieben Jahre um Rahel, deine jüngere Tochter, dienen.19Laban antwortete: Es ist besser, ich gebe sie dir als einem andern; bleib bei mir.20So diente Jakob um Rahel sieben Jahre, und es kam ihm vor, als wären’s einzelne Tage, so lieb hatte er sie.21Und Jakob sprach zu Laban: Gib mir nun meine Braut; denn die Zeit ist da, dass ich zu ihr gehe.22Da lud Laban alle Leute des Ortes ein und machte ein Hochzeitsmahl.23Am Abend aber nahm er seine Tochter Lea und brachte sie zu Jakob; und er ging zu ihr.24Und Laban gab seiner Tochter Lea seine Magd Silpa zur Magd.25Am Morgen aber, siehe, da war es Lea. Und Jakob sprach zu Laban: Warum hast du mir das angetan? Habe ich dir nicht um Rahel gedient? Warum hast du mich denn betrogen?26Laban antwortete: Es ist nicht Sitte in unserm Lande, dass man die Jüngere weggebe vor der Älteren.27Halte mit dieser die Hochzeitswoche, so will ich dir die andere auch geben für den Dienst, den du bei mir noch weitere sieben Jahre leisten sollst. (1Mo 31,14)28Das tat Jakob und hielt die Hochzeitswoche. Da gab ihm Laban seine Tochter Rahel zur Frau.29Und er gab seiner Tochter Rahel seine Magd Bilha zur Magd.30So ging Jakob auch zu Rahel ein und hatte Rahel lieber als Lea; und er diente bei ihm noch weitere sieben Jahre. (3Mo 18,18)
Jakobs Kinder
31Als aber der HERR sah, dass Lea ungeliebt war, machte er sie fruchtbar; Rahel aber war unfruchtbar.32Und Lea ward schwanger und gebar einen Sohn; den nannte sie Ruben und sprach: Der HERR hat angesehen mein Elend; nun wird mich mein Mann lieb haben.33Und sie ward abermals schwanger und gebar einen Sohn und sprach: Der HERR hat gehört, dass ich ungeliebt bin, und hat mir diesen auch gegeben. Und nannte ihn Simeon.34Abermals ward sie schwanger und gebar einen Sohn und sprach: Nun wird mein Mann mir doch zugetan sein, denn ich habe ihm drei Söhne geboren. Darum nannte sie ihn Levi.35Und sie wurde abermals schwanger und gebar einen Sohn und sprach: Nun will ich dem HERRN danken. Darum nannte sie ihn Juda. Und sie hörte auf, Kinder zu gebären.
1Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. (4Mo 23,7; Ri 6,3)2As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well’s mouth was large,3and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well.4Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where do you come from?” They said, “We are from Haran.” (1Mo 27,43)5He said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.”6He said to them, “Is it well with him?” They said, “It is well; and see, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep!”7He said, “Behold, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go, pasture them.”8But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together and the stone is rolled from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”9While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. (2Mo 2,16)10Now as soon as Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob came near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.11Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud.12And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s kinsman, and that he was Rebekah’s son, and she ran and told her father. (1Mo 13,8; 1Mo 14,14; 1Mo 14,16; 1Mo 24,28)13As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he ran to meet him and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things, (1Mo 29,12)14and Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh!” And he stayed with him a month. (1Mo 2,23; 1Mo 37,27; Ri 9,2; 2Sam 5,1; 2Sam 19,12; 1Chr 11,1)15Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?”16Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.17Leah’s eyes were weak,[1] but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.18Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” (1Mo 30,26; 1Mo 31,41; Hos 12,12)19Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.”20So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. (1Mo 29,18)21Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.”22So Laban gathered together all the people of the place and made a feast. (Ri 14,10; Joh 2,1)23But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and he went in to her.24(Laban gave[2] his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.) (1Mo 30,9)25And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”26Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.27Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” (Ri 14,12)28Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.29(Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.) (1Mo 30,3)30So Jacob went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban for another seven years. (1Mo 29,20; 1Mo 31,41)
Jacob’s Children
31When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. (1Mo 30,22; 5Mo 21,15)32And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben,[3] for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” (1Mo 31,42; 2Mo 3,7; 2Mo 4,31; 5Mo 26,7)33She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.[4]34Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.[5] (4Mo 18,2; 4Mo 18,4)35And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah.[6] Then she ceased bearing. (1Mo 49,8; Mt 1,2)
1.Mose 29
King James Version
1Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.2And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well' mouth.3And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well' mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well' mouth in his place.4And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.5And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him .6And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.7And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them .8And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well' mouth; then we water the sheep.9And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father' sheep: for she kept them.10And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother' brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother' brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well' mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother' brother.11And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.12And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father' brother, and that he was Rebekah' son: and she ran and told her father.13And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister' son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.14And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.15And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be ?16And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.17Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.18And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.19And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.20And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.21And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.22And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.23And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.24And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.25And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?26And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.27Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.28And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.29And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.30And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.31And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.32And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.33And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.34And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.35And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
1Then Jacob continued on his journey. He came to the land where the eastern tribes lived.2There he saw a well in the open country. Three flocks of sheep were lying near it. The flocks were given water from the well. The stone over the opening of the well was large.3All the flocks would gather there. The shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s opening. They would give water to the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place over the opening of the well.4Jacob asked the shepherds, ‘My friends, where are you from?’ ‘We’re from Harran,’ they replied.5He said to them, ‘Do you know Nahor’s grandson Laban?’ ‘Yes, we know him,’ they answered.6Then Jacob asked them, ‘How is he?’ ‘He’s fine,’ they said. ‘Here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.’7‘Look’, he said, ‘the sun is still high in the sky. It’s not time for the flocks to be brought together. Give water to the sheep and take them back to the grasslands.’8‘We can’t,’ they replied. ‘We have to wait until all the flocks are brought together. The stone has to be rolled away from the opening of the well. Then we’ll give water to the sheep.’9He was still talking with them when Rachel came with her father’s sheep. It was her job to take care of the flock.10Rachel was the daughter of Laban, Jacob’s uncle. When Jacob saw Rachel with Laban’s sheep, he went over to the well. He rolled the stone away from the opening. He gave water to his uncle’s sheep.11Jacob kissed Rachel. Then he began to cry because he was so happy.12He had told Rachel he was a relative of her father. He had also said he was Rebekah’s son. Rachel ran and told her father what Jacob had said.13As soon as Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he hurried to meet him. Laban hugged Jacob and kissed him. Then Laban brought him to his home. There Jacob told him everything.
Jacob marries Leah and Rachel
14Then Laban said to him, ‘You are my own flesh and blood.’ Jacob stayed with Laban for a whole month.15Then Laban said to him, ‘You are one of my relatives. But is that any reason for you to work for me for nothing? Tell me what your pay should be.’16Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder one was Leah. And the name of the younger one was Rachel.17Leah was plain, but Rachel was beautiful. She had a nice figure.18Jacob was in love with Rachel. He said to Laban, ‘I’ll work for you for seven years so I can marry your younger daughter Rachel.’19Laban said, ‘It’s better for me to give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.’20So Jacob worked for seven years so he could marry Rachel. But they seemed like only a few days to him because he loved her so much.21Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife. I’ve completed my time. I want to sleep with her.’22So Laban brought all the people of the place together and had a feast prepared.23But when evening came, he gave his daughter Leah to Jacob. And Jacob slept with her.24Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter as her servant.25When Jacob woke up the next morning, there was Leah next to him! So he said to Laban, ‘What have you done to me? I worked for you so I could marry Rachel, didn’t I? Why did you trick me?’26Laban replied, ‘It isn’t our practice here to give the younger daughter to be married before the elder one.27Complete this daughter’s wedding week. Then we’ll give you the younger one also. But you will have to work for another seven years.’28So Jacob completed the week with Leah. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.29Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her servant.30Jacob slept with Rachel also. He loved Rachel more than he loved Leah. And he worked for Laban for another seven years.
Jacob becomes the Father of many children
31The LORD saw that Jacob didn’t love Leah as much as he loved Rachel. So he let Leah have children. But Rachel wasn’t able to have children.32Leah became pregnant. She had a son. She named him Reuben. She said, ‘The LORD has seen me suffer. Surely my husband will love me now.’33She became pregnant again. She had a son. Then she said, ‘The LORD heard that Jacob doesn’t love me very much. That’s why the LORD gave me this one too.’ So she named him Simeon.34She became pregnant again. She had a son. Then she said, ‘Now at last my husband will value me. I have had three sons by him.’ So the boy was named Levi.35She became pregnant again. She had a son. Then she said, ‘This time I’ll praise the LORD.’ So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.
1Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples.2There he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large.3When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.4Jacob asked the shepherds, ‘My brothers, where are you from?’ ‘We’re from Harran,’ they replied.5He said to them, ‘Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?’ ‘Yes, we know him,’ they answered.6Then Jacob asked them, ‘Is he well?’ ‘Yes, he is,’ they said, ‘and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.’7‘Look,’ he said, ‘the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.’8‘We can’t,’ they replied, ‘until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.’9While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherd.10When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep.11Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud.12He had told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her father.13As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things.
Jacob marries Leah and Rachel
14Then Laban said to him, ‘You are my own flesh and blood.’ After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month,15Laban said to him, ‘Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.’16Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder one was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.17Leah had weak[1] eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful.18Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’19Laban said, ‘It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.’20So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.21Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.’22So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast.23But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her.24And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant.25When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?’26Laban replied, ‘It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder one.27Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.’28And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.29Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant.30Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.
Jacob’s children
31When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.32Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben,[2] for she said, ‘It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.’33She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, ‘Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.’ So she named him Simeon.[3]34Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, ‘Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.’ So he was named Levi.[4]35She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, ‘This time I will praise the Lord.’ So she named him Judah.[5] Then she stopped having children.