Genesis 29:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This was indeed the very intent behind his meticulous planning. However, you may claim for yourself and for the one you cherish, provided that you too work diligently for many years on behalf of all.

Laban recognized the divine favor upon his possessions during Jacob's time as a shepherd. Consequently, he devised a plan to keep Jacob as a shepherd for another seven years, aiming to enhance the wealth he had amassed during the initial seven years when Jacob labored for Leah, who had been given to him. In light of this, Laban offers an apology to Jacob according to the customs of his homeland, stating, "It is not so in our place to give the least before the oldest" (Genesis 29:26). He subsequently discloses that this decision was indeed intentional on his part. Laban then assembled the people of that region, and they assured Jacob of their support for Laban.

After Jacob, having been cunningly deceived, married Leah instead of Rachel, his father-in-law Laban instructed him to fulfill one week of marriage to his first daughter before he could take Rachel as his wife. He would need to work an additional seven years for her. Thus, contrary to some misconceptions, Jacob did not marry Rachel after seven more years, but rather just seven days following his union with Leah. The Scriptures further indicate: “And he went in to Rachel, and loved Rachel more than Leah, and served Laban seven more years” (Gen. 29:30).

Conclude this weekly reflection. Although the arrangement of these words in the Hebrew text appears reciprocal, it remains uncertain if this week refers to Rachel's period, namely the second seven years of service, or Leah's week, which represents the seven days traditionally celebrated as the marriage feast (Judges 14:12). This interpretation is supported by the subsequent statement: Jacob carried out this action, etc. (Genesis 29:28), since the additional seven years of service occurred after the second marriage (Genesis 29:30). This observation is exemplified in Laban, illustrating that those who seek to amass wealth often fall into snares and trials (1 Timothy 6:9). In pursuit of gain, he resorts to deception; he entangles his son-in-law in a situation of polygamy and incest, positioning his daughters as rivals to one another.