Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 1 · Chapter 29
CHAP. XXIX.
1, Iakob commeth to the well of Charan. 9, He taketh acquaintance of Rachel. 13, Laban entertaineth him. 18 Iakob covenanteth for Rachel to be his wife. 23, Laban deceiveth him with Leah. 28, He marieth also Rachel, and served for her seven yeeres more. 32, Leah beareth Reuben. 33, Simeon, 34, Levi, 35, Iudah.
ANd Iakob, lifted up his feet, and went, to the land of the sons of the East, And he saw, and behold a well in the field; and loe there were three flocks of sheepe lying by it; for out of that well, they watered the flocks: and a great stone, was upon the wels mouth. And thither were al the flocks gathered, and they rolled the stone from the wells mouth, and watered the sheepe: and they put the stone againe, upon the wells mouth in his place. And Iakob said unto them; my brethren, whence bee yee? and they sayd of Charan are wee. And hee said unto them, Know ye Laban the sonne of Nachor? and they said, wee know him. And hee said to them, Is there peace to him? and they sayd Peace; and behold, Rachel his daughter, is comming with the sheepe. And hee sayd, loe yet, the day is great, it is not time that the cattel should be gathered together: water ye the sheepe, and goe feed. And they said, we cannot, untill all the flocks, be gathered together; and they roll the stone, frm the wells mouth: then water we the sheepe. He yet was speaking with them; and Rachel came, with the sheep which were her fathers: for she fed them. And it was, when Iakob saw Rachel; the daughter of Laban his mothers brother; and the sheepe of Laban, his mothers brother: that Iakob went neere; and rolled the stone, from the wells mouth, and watered the sheep of Laban his mothers brother. And Iakob kissed Rachel: and lifted up his voice, and wept. And Iakob told Rachel, that he was her fathers brother; and that he was Rebekahs son: and shee ran and told her father. And it was, when Laban heard, the tidings of Iakob his sisters sonne; that he ran to meet him, and imbraced him, & kissed him, & broght him in, to his house: and he told Laban, all these words. And Laban sayd unto him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh: and he abode with him, a monethmonth of dayes. And Laban said unto Iakob; Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder, was Leah; and the name of the yonger, Rachel. And the eyes of Leah, were tender: and Rachel was faire in forme, and faire in countenance. And Iakob loved Rachel: and said, I will serve thee seven yeeres, for Rachel thy yonger daughter. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, then that I should give her to another man: abide thou with me. And Iakob served for Rachel, seven yeres: and they were in his eyes, as a few daies, because he loved her. And Iakob said unto Laban, Give mee my wife, for my dayes are fulfilled: that I may goe in unto her. And Laban gathered-together, all the men of the place, and made a banquet. And it was in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter: and brought her in, unto him: and he went in, unto her. And Laban gave to her, Zilpah his handmaid: for a handmaid, to Leah his daughter. And it was in the morning, that loe it was Leah: and he said unto Laban, what is this thou hast done unto me? Did not I serve with thee, for Rachel? and wherefore hast thou beguiled me? And Laban said, It may not be so done, in our place: to give the younger, before the first-borne. Fulfill thou the seven of this; and there shall be given unto thee, this also; for the service which thou shalt serve with me, yet seven other yeeres. And Iakob did so, and fulfied the seven of this: and he gave unto him Rachel his daughter for a wife unto him. And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, Bilhah his handmaid: for a handmaid to her. And he went in also unto Rachel; and he loved also Rachel, more then Leah: and served with him, yet seven other yeeres. And Iehovah saw, that Leah was hated; and he opened her wombe: and Rachel, was barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son; and she called his name Reuben: for she said, for Iehovah hath seene my affliction; for now, my husband will louelove me. And she conceived againe, and bare a sonne; and shee said, because Iehovah hath heard that I was hated; he hath therfore given me, this also: and she called his name Simeon. And she conceived againe, and bare a son; and said, now this time my husband will be joyned unto me, because I have borne unto him, three sons: therefore she called his name, Levi. And she conceived againe, and bare a son; and she said, this time, I will confesse Iehovah; therefore, she called his name Iudah: and she stayed from bearing.
Annotations.
LIfted up] that is, went lightly and cheerfully on his long journey, being comforted by the vision and oracle of God, received at Bethel. See a much like phrase, in Psal. 74. 3. sonnes of the East] that is, the easterne people, in Mesopotamia, which lay eastward from Canaan. So in Iob 1. 3. The Greeke omitteth the word sonnes, and translateth the east countries. From the east God had raised up Abraham the (man of) righteousnesse, Esay 41. 2. Gen. 12. 1. & thither now Iakob his nephew fleeth, there to serve for a wife, Hos. 12. 12. wherein the mystery of Christ and his Church, was figured: Eph. 5. 32. 2 Cor. 11. 2.
Vers. 2. a well] at a well in the field, Abrahams servant met with Rebekah Isaaks wife, Gen. 24. 11. 15. So here Iakob meeteth with Rachel his wife. A much like thing befell unto Moses, Exod. 2. 15. 16. 21. And Christ sitting on Iakobs Well (in Samaria) preached there of the living waters of his Gospell and spirit, which who so drinketh, they shall bee in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life, Iohn 4. 6.—14. and 7. 38. 39. lying] This the Gr. translateth resting. The two works of shepherds to their flockes, are feeding, and causing them to lye downe, or to rest; both which Christ performeth to his people, Song, 1. 6. Ezek. 34. 15. Psal. 23. 1. 2.
Vers. 3. the stone] wherewith the well was closed and sealed up, to keepe the waters safe and pure: and which the shepherds must remove to water the sheepe. A figure of the Pastors duty, in opening the mysteries of the Scripture, that men may with joy draw waters out of the wells of salvation, Esa. 12. 3. The three flocks here mentioned, are by the Hebrew Doctors (in Bresith rabbah upon this place,) applyed to the whole body of the Church, Priests, Levites, and the other Israelites.
Vers. 6. Is there peace] that is, welfare & prosperity. This was the manner, in those places of saluting, or asking of ones welfare; as in Gen. 43. 27. 28. 1 Sam. 25. 5. 6. 2 Sam. 20. 9. The Greek translateth is he in health?
Vers. 7. is great] that is, much day yet remaineth; or it is high day. He exhorteth to use the time, whiles it remained, for the good of their sheep: and not to take them so soone from their pasture.
Vers. 8. cannot] that is, are not able, the stone is so great: or, may not, by right, till all come together. In this latter sense, the word is used, Gen. 34. 14. and 43. 32. and 44. 26. and other where.
Ver. 9. she fed them] or, she was shepherdesse. In Gr. she fed her fathers sheepe. It seemeth, men used to imploy their daughters in such workes, Exod. 2. 16. (whereupon Christs spouse is compared to a shepherdesse, Song. 1. 7. 8.) unlesse it were laid upon her through her fathers covetousnesse, as some thinke.
Ver. 10. rolled the stone] either, with the helpe of the shepherds; or, by extraordinary strength of his own. This latter, some Rabbines hold, saying, Iakobs steps were not straitned (as Prov. 4. 12) neither did his strength faile, but as a mighty strong man, hee rolled the stone from the wells mouth, &c. and the shepherds saw it, and wondred all, and were not able to role away the stone, but Iakob rolled it away himselfe alone. Pirkei R. Eliezer, chap. 36
Vers. 11. lifted-up] that is, with a loud voice wept: the Greeke translateth, cried with his voice & wept. It argued his great affection, and passion of minde for her sake; as the like was after in Ioseph, Gen. 43 30. and 45. 2. 14. 15. Such things God setteth downe particularly and often, (though they may seeme of smal momēt, to shew how he is delighted in the actions of his children, whom the world contemneth.
Verse 13. the tidings] or, the hearesay: in Hebrew, the hearing: figuratively put for the word (or matter) heard. The Apostles in Greeke sometime keepe the phrase; as, who hath beleeved our hearing? Rom. 10. 16. that is, our report, preaching, or word preached. Sometime they explaine one an other, with other words; as, his hearing spread abroad, Mark. 1. 28. for which in Luk. 4. 37. is written, his fame (or sound, …choe.) words] or things, to weet, about his journey, and the causes of it, as is before specified. For else, it might seeme strange unto him, that Isaaks sonne should come in that poore sort alone: whereas Abrahams servant came richly, with other men accompanying him: Gen. 24. 10. 32. 53.
Vers. 14. my bone] that is, my kinsman, as the Chaldee explayneth it. The Greeke saith, of my bones. See the like phrase, in Iudg. 9. 2. 1 Chro. 11. 1. 2 Sam. 19. 12. 13. of dayes] that is, a whole monethmonth: as a yeere of daies. 2 Sam. 14. 28. is a whole yeere. See the notes on Gen. 4. 3.
Vers. 15. brother] that is, kinsman: see Gen. 13. 8. shouldest thou?] The Greeke explaineth it, thou shalt not. See Gen. 18. 17.
Vers. 16. elder] Hebrew, greater: meaning in age: and so the yonger, is the lesser. See Gen. 27. 1. By interpretation, Leah signifieth Labourious, or Painfull: and Rachel an Ewe or Sheepe.
Vers. 17. tender] as the Greeke translateth, infirme, or weake: but the Chaldee translateth faire. Thargum Ierusalemy addeth, that they were tender with weeping and praying. informe] that is, in proportion of body, or personage: as the next in countenance, or visage, is for beauty of colour. Both together, make perfect beauty. The like is sayd of Esther, Esth. 2. 7. and of Ioseph, Gen. 39. 6. The Hebrew Doctors mystically apply this to the Church, the fairnesse in the congregation of Israel, when it was guiltlesse from the power of uncleannesse: as it is sayd, (in Song. 4. 7.) Thou art all faire my love, there is no spot in thee. R. Menachem, on Gen. 29.
Verse. 20. served] These things are set downe to shew Labans churlishnesse, & Iakobs meeknes, poverty, patience, and hard condition in this life; which the Prophet after rehearseth, how Iaakob fled into Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife, kept (sheepe:) Hos. 12. 12. For whereas men used of their substance to give, dowries, Gen. 34. 12. Exod. 22. 7. Iakob having nothing to give, out of his poverty, (Gen. 32. 10.) giveth his service to his uncle for a wife, which service was hard unto him, Gen. 31. 40. 41. as David, instead of a dowry, gave 100 foreskins of the Philistines, whom hee killed with great perill of his owne life; 1 Sam. 18. 23. 25. 27. These things of Iakob, may also (as the former of Abraham & Isaak) be mystically applyed to Christ, whose spouse and Church, is beautifull, Song. 4. 1. 7. Ephes. 5. 25. 27. & hath made him to serve with her sins, & wearied him, with her iniquities, Esay 43. 24. were in his eyes] that is, seemed unto him. loved her] & love suffereth, hopeth, and endureth all things, 1. Cor. 13. 7. much water cannot quench it, neither can the flouds drowne it: Song. 8. 7. See Gen. 24. 67.
Vers. 21. are fulfulled] or, are full, complete: The Chaldee addeth, the dayes of my service are fulfilled: meaning the seven yeers covenanted, v. 18. Some take it to meane full, in respect of his age: and that he was maried at the first; before the 7. yeers were expired. But in Pirkei R. Eliezer, cha, 36. it is said; Iakob began to serve for a wife 7. yeres: after 7. yeeres he made a banquet, & a rejoycing 7. daies, & had Leah &c. & added 7. daies banquet more, & receiued Rachel, goe in] into the chamber, (as Iudg. 15. 1.) that she may be to me as my wife. See Gen. 6. 4. The Bride, usually had a privie chamber (or closet) whereinto she entred at the mariage day, Ioel 2. 16. Whereupon, among the Iewes, the comming together in mariage, is called the assembling into the privy-chamber, Maimony in treat. of Wives, ch. 10. S. 1.
Vers. 22. a banquet] named in Hebr: of drinking, as is noted on Gen. 19. 3. such we cal a Bride-ale. The Greek translateth it a mariage: hereupon the word mariage is used for a banquet, or feast, in Luk. 14. 8. and so the Syriak there translateth it.
Ver. 23. Leah] in Greek, Leia. A notable example of perfidie in Laban, so to deale with his owne sisters son. And by reason that women at such times were veiled, (as in other like cases may be seene, Gen. 38. 15. 16) Iacob could not discern the fraud.
Ver. 24. Zilpah] in Greek Zelpha. hand maid] or, bondwoman, servant, see Gen. 16. 1.
V. 25. the morning] Every mans worke shall be made manifest, for the Day shall declare it, 1. Cor. 3. 13. They that do evill, know not the light; & the morning is to them, even as the shadow of death, Iob 24. 16. 17. Therefore is this fact observed to bee done in the evening, and discovered in the morning. beguiled me] The Chaldee saith, lyed unto me? These things as they shew the evill mind and cariage of Laban, both in this his fact, and the excuse following: so may they bee considered as a chastisement of God upon Iakob, who had by guile (tho with a better mind) gotten the blessing, Gen. 27. 35. For even the righteous are recompensed in the earth, Prov. 11. 31. and with what measure men mete, it shall bee measured to them againe, Mat. 7. 2. But how great an affliction was this unto Iakob: to bee beguiled of his LoueLove, and deflyed with another, whom in respect of her he hated? ver. 30. 31. For, love is strong as death, Song. 8. 6.
Ver. 27. the seven of this] or the weeke, that is, the seven daies banquet of this Leah, and so confirme the mariage with her; and then we will give thee the other. A weeke hath the name in Hebrue, of seven daies; as with us, it is called a seven night. And the mariage feast, used to continue seven daies, as appeareth by Iudg. 14. 10. 12. And it is a canon among the Iewes, that whosoeuer marieth a maide, shall rejoyce with her 7. dayes not doing any worke, but eating, drinking, and making merry. And so, if he marry a woman not a maid, 3. daies. And if he take more wives together he must rejoyce with every of them; her conuenient time of joy: Maimony, treat. of Wives ch. 10. S. 12. 13. Thus Laban provided, that Iakob by voluntary consent to this mariage with Leah, should not be able afterward to put her away. The Ierusalem Chaldee paraphrase, plainly applyeth this to the seven dayes banquet for Leah. And that it cannot be meant of seven yeeres, before he should mary Rachel: the birth of their children, and life of Iakob after in the Historry, do manifest, Gen. 47. 9. and 41. 46. and 30. 24. there shall be given] to we et, by me; as the Greeke translateth, I will give. The Hebrew also may signifie, we will give: that is, I and my friends. this also] meaning Rachel: ver. 28. So to make him amends, he urgeth upon him, another mariage incestuous. Which how ever Iakob accepted; and it may, by the special motion of Gods spirit, (as Samsons mariage with the Philistian woman, was of the Lord, Iudg. 14. 4.) yet ordinarily the fact cannot be cleared, nor may be imitated. Though in mystery, the churches of Iewes and Gentiles, may by these two sisters be implyed: as the two Testaments were in Abrams wives, Gen. 16. Gal. 4. shalt serve] So covetousnes of gaine by Iakobs service, made him thus to offer: and Iakob in yeelding to this, is a mirror of patience.
Ver. 31. hated] not simply but in comparison of Leah; that is, lesse loved, as the former verse sheweth. So in Deut. 21. 15. also in Mat. 6. 24. and Luk. 14. 26. And herein Leah was chastised of God, for consenting to the sin, with her father. opened her womb] that is, made her to beare children: the contrary was in Gen. 20. 18. The Chaldee translateth, gave her conception.
Ver. 32. Ruben] that is, Son of-seeing (or of him that seeth) meaning her affliction, as the next words doe explaine: or, See ye the Son. So in Pirkei R. Eliezer, chap. 36. it is said; God saw Leahs tribulation, and gave her conception, and consolation to her soule; and she bare a man-child of a goodly forme; and sayd, see the son, which God hath given me.
Vers. 33 Simeon] written in Greek by the Evangelists, Symeon, 2 Pet. 1. 1. and Simon, Mat. 10. 2. by interpretation Hearing, or son of hearing, that Leah was hated.
Vers. 34. he called] or, (not noting any person,) his name was called: See Gen. 16. 14. Levi] that is, Ioyned: the reason of the name here, was of her husbands joyning unto her: after, the Levites were joyned unto the Priests in the ministery and service of God, as Numb. 18. 2. 4.
Vers. 35. this time] or now, to weet againe, as the Greeke addeth. confesse] that is, openly praise and celebrate, in solemne manner. This here applyed to the Lord, is after applyed to Iudah himselfe, Gen. 49. 8. Iudah] or Iehudah; in Greeke, Iudas: by interpretation, A Confessor, or the son of Confession, or of Praise. Of him, all the sons of Iakob, are called Iewes, Esth. 3. 6. Mat. 27. 37. and he is a true Iew, whose praise is of God, Rom. 2. 29. stayed] or, stood stil, that is, left off bearing, for a whil… afterward she had more increase, Gen. 30. 17. And thus God dispensed his blessings, where least love of man was showen: which redounded to his further glory by Leahs thankfulnesse.