Genesis 29:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Upon hearing this, the righteous man willingly agreed to everything; and after another seven years, it is written that Laban delivered his daughter Rachel to him as a wife. Here, you can observe that the institution of marriage in ancient times was conducted with due respect. However, when you learn that Jacob married the elder daughter first and then the younger, do not be troubled or pass judgment on the practices of that era; rather, adapt your views to current conditions. By the grace of God, humanity has now flourished in vast numbers, and the standard of virtue has risen. Christ, having come to this world, instilled virtue among humanity, transforming people into, in a manner of speaking, angels, and abolished many of the ancient customs.

After the completion of the seven weeks of toil for the elder, he took Rachel, the younger, to be his wife—a union he originally yearned for. The second, following the first, was brought into the Church from the Gentiles, referred to symbolically as ‘the sheep of God,’ which aligns with the meaning of the name Rachel, as mentioned earlier. The divine James further illustrates that Christ also worked for her, dedicating seven years of effort for Rachel. If the Son, who is inherently divine, engaged in labor, was it not a true toil for Him to experience persecution from Herod, subsequent afflictions from the Pharisees, derogatory remarks from rulers, mockery, spitting, striking, contempt from soldiers, and ultimately, death upon the cross?

Jacob concluded that if Leah remained in Laban's household, a man of unfaith, it might lead the righteous lineage to become ensnared in idolatry. He also feared deceiving Rachel, for she was already his wife. Thus, Jacob chose one, to uphold his promise to her, and the other, to prevent his offspring from being led into sin through her influence. Had Laban demanded that Jacob labor for seven years for Leah instead of marrying Rachel, Jacob would not have consented to such a lengthy service for her. This was not due to Leah's appearance, but rather because the thought of having two wives was repugnant to him.

St. Rachel represents a rather enigmatic figure rather than a straightforward model of matrimony (Genesis 29:28ff.), yet in her story lies a reflection of the grace bestowed upon the original union. Jacob cherished deeply the one he had chosen as his wife; even the deception surrounding their engagement did not diminish his feelings, nor did the consummation of their marriage lessen his love for her. The revered patriarch thus instructs us on the reverence we ought to hold for the first marriage, as he himself valued that initial commitment highly. Therefore, daughters, exercise caution and strive to uphold the blessings of your original union; do not allow yourselves to endure unnecessary heartaches.

The patriarch faced the sweltering sun during the day and the unsettling chill of night out of necessity, dedicating himself each day to the tasks of tending his flocks and hard work so that he could acquire two wives. These two wives symbolize the interplay of action and reflection: Leah represents action, resembling the multitude of tasks, while Rachel embodies contemplation, achieved through extensive effort. For the soul cannot attain perfection in either action or contemplation without labor. The Great Canon, Song 4

Jacob indeed acts in accordance with Laban's requests, yet his response is more justifiable than Laban's actions. First, the union with Leah was unlawful, lacking the consent of the bride, rendering it potentially void; in contrast, Jacob rightfully sought to marry Rachel, a commitment he had made long before. The fact that his bond with Leah remained intact cannot be blamed on his lack of self-control, but rather on his enduring patience and graciousness. Furthermore, Jacob felt compelled to comply with Laban, who was his sole source of refuge. It is important to recognize that Jacob's turmoil was intensified by his deep affection for Rachel (Genesis 29:30).