The Skeptics Annotated Bible (40 page)

22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

24 And
Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.

(29.24)
“Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.”
As part of the deal with Jacob, Zilpah and Bilhah (Laban’s slaves) are handed over to Leah and Rachel.

25
And 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?

(29.25)
“And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah.”
Jacob “goes in unto” Leah by mistake! (Hey, it happens—a lot in Genesis! See 19.33, 19.35, 38.16)

26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and
he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

(29.28)
“He gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.”
Laban gives Rachel and Bilhah to Jacob.

29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

30 And
he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved
also
Rachel more than Leah
, and served with him yet seven other years.

(29.30)
“He went in also unto Rachel, and he loved … Rachel more than Leah.”
Jacob finally gets to “go in unto” Rachel. He loved Rachel more than Leah.

31 And
when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb:
but Rachel was barren.

(29.31)
“When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb.”
Since Jacob hated Leah, God decided to “open her womb” and make Rachel barren. (Like he did to Sarah and Rebekah.)

32 And 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.

33 And 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.

(29.33)
“Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated.”
Leah conceives and bears four sons. And it’s a good thing, too, since Jacob hated her until then.