Jacob

19This is the family story of Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham was the father of Isaac.

And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac:

20Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah. She was the daughter of Bethuel, a man from Syria, from Padanaram. She was the sister of Laban the Syrian.

And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

NotePadanaram was far to the north, in the land called Syria. Rebekah's family lived there. Her brother Laban will come into the story again later.

21Rebekah could not have children. So Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife. The LORD listened to him, and Rebekah became pregnant.

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

NoteIsaac was forty when he married. He was sixty when the twins came. So they waited about twenty years for a baby.

22The babies inside her pushed and struggled with each other. She said, "If it is like this, why is it happening to me?" So she went to ask the LORD.

And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

NoteTo ask the LORD meant to pray and then wait for God to answer.

23The LORD said to her, "Two nations are inside you. Two kinds of people will come from you and be split apart. One people will be stronger than the other. The older one will serve the younger one."

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

NoteA nation here means a big group of people who come from one family. The older son was usually the leader of the family. God is saying the younger one will lead instead.

24When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins inside her.

And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25The first baby came out red. Hair covered him all over, like a fur coat. They named him Esau.

And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

NoteIn their language, the name Esau sounds like their word for hairy.

26After that his brother came out, holding on to Esau's heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

NoteIn their language, the name Jacob sounds like their word for heel. It also means someone who grabs, or who takes another person's place.

27The boys grew up. Esau was very good at hunting, a man of the open fields. Jacob was a quiet man who stayed among the tents.

And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

NoteFamilies like theirs lived in tents and moved with their sheep and goats. Staying among the tents means Jacob stayed close to home.

28Isaac loved Esau, because he ate the wild meat Esau brought him. But Rebekah loved Jacob.

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was weak.

And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

30Esau said to Jacob, "Please let me eat some of that red stew. I am weak." That is why he was also called Edom.

And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

31Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright today."

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

NoteA birthright belonged to the oldest son. He got the biggest share of everything the family owned. He also became the head of the family after his father died.

32Esau said, "Look, I am about to die. What good is a birthright to me?"

And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33Jacob said, "Make me a promise today." So Esau promised him. He sold his birthright to Jacob.

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

NoteA promise like this was made out loud in God's name. Once it was said, it could not be taken back.

34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and stew made from lentils. Esau ate and drank. Then he got up and went away. That is how Esau treated his birthright as worth nothing.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

NoteLentils are small flat beans. Cooked slowly in water, they make a thick stew.

1Isaac was old. His eyes were weak, and he could not see. He called Esau, his older son, and said, "My son." Esau said, "Here I am."

And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.

NoteIsaac was Abraham's son. Esau and Jacob were his twin sons. Esau was born first, just before Jacob.

2Isaac said, "Look, I am old now. I do not know the day I will die."

And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

3"So please take your hunting things, your arrow case and your bow. Go out to the field and hunt some meat for me."

Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

4"Then cook me tasty food, the kind I love. Bring it to me so I can eat. Then I will bless you before I die."

And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

NoteA father's blessing was very important in this family. It was a special wish spoken out loud. People believed the words would really come true.

5Rebekah heard Isaac say this to his son Esau. Esau went out to the field to hunt meat and bring it back.

And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

6Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Listen. I heard your father talking to your brother Esau. He said,"

And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

7"'Bring me meat and cook me tasty food. I will eat it. Then I will bless you before the LORD before I die.'"

Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

NoteLORD in big letters stands for God's own special name. It was the name this family used for him.

8"Now, my son, listen to me. Do just what I tell you."

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

9"Go to the flock. Bring me two good young goats. I will cook tasty food for your father, the kind he loves."

Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

NoteGoat meat could be cooked to taste like the wild deer meat Esau hunted. That helped hide the trick.

10"Then you will take it to your father to eat. And he will bless you before he dies."

And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

11Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, "But my brother Esau has hairy skin. My skin is smooth."

And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

NoteEsau's arms and skin were covered with thick hair. Jacob's skin was not.

12"Maybe my father will touch me. Then he will see I am tricking him. I will get a curse and not a blessing."

My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.

NoteA curse is words that wish bad things on someone. A blessing wishes good things.

13His mother said to him, "Let the curse fall on me, my son. Just listen to me. Go and get them."

And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

NoteRebekah means: if trouble comes from this, let it come to me.

14So he went and got them and brought them to his mother. She cooked tasty food, the kind his father loved.

And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

15Rebekah took the best clothes of her older son Esau. They were with her in the house. She put them on her younger son Jacob.

And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:

16She put the skins of the young goats on his hands. She put them on the smooth part of his neck.

And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

NoteGoat hair feels rough. On Jacob's arms and neck it felt like Esau's hairy skin.

17Then she gave the tasty food and the bread she had made to her son Jacob.

And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18He came to his father and said, "My father." Isaac said, "Here I am. Which son are you?"

And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?

19Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau, your oldest son. I did what you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my meat. Then you can bless me."

And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

NoteThe oldest son held a special place in the family. He got the biggest share of everything. He led the family after his father died.

20Isaac said to his son, "How did you find it so fast, my son?" He said, "Because the LORD your God brought it to me."

And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.

21Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come close, my son, so I can touch you. I want to know if you really are my son Esau."

And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

22Jacob came close to his father Isaac. Isaac touched him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice. But the hands are Esau's hands."

And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

23Isaac did not know who he really was. His hands were hairy, like his brother Esau's hands. So Isaac blessed him.

And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.

24Isaac said, "Are you really my son Esau?" He said, "I am."

And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

25Isaac said, "Bring the food close to me. Let me eat some of my son's meat. Then I will bless you." Jacob brought it close, and Isaac ate. He brought him wine, and Isaac drank.

And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.

26Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come close now and kiss me, my son."

And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

27He came close and kissed him. Isaac smelled his clothes and blessed him. He said, "Look, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field the LORD has blessed."

And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

NoteEsau spent his days outside hunting. His clothes smelled of fields, plants and animals.

28"So may God give you dew from the sky. May he give you rich land, and plenty of grain and wine."

Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

NoteDew is the water that sits on plants early in the morning. Where these people lived, rain almost never came in summer. Dew helped their food grow. The King James word "corn" means grain like wheat, not corn on the cob.

29"May people serve you. May nations bow down to you. Be master over your brothers. May your mother's sons bow down to you. May everyone who curses you be cursed. May everyone who blesses you be blessed."

Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

NoteBowing down means bending low in front of someone. People did it to show that person was greater than they were.

30Isaac had just finished blessing Jacob. Jacob had barely walked away from his father. Then his brother Esau came in from hunting.

And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

31He had also cooked tasty food. He brought it to his father and said, "Father, sit up and eat some of your son's meat. Then you can bless me."

And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.

32His father Isaac said to him, "Who are you?" He said, "I am your son, your oldest son, Esau."

And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.

33Isaac shook all over. He said, "Who was it, then? Someone hunted meat and brought it to me. I ate it all before you came, and I blessed him. And yes, he will be blessed."

And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

NoteOnce a blessing was spoken, people believed it could not be taken back. That is why Isaac could not undo it and give it to Esau.

34Esau heard his father's words. He let out a loud and very bitter cry. He said to his father, "Bless me too, my father!"

And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

35Isaac said, "Your brother came with a trick. He has taken your blessing."

And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.

36Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? He has pushed me aside two times. He took the rights I had as the oldest son. Now he has taken my blessing." Then he said, "Have you not saved a blessing for me?"

And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

NoteThe name Jacob sounds like the word for heel. It also sounds like a word for pushing someone aside. The special rights of the oldest son were called his birthright. Esau had already traded his to Jacob for a bowl of stew.

37Isaac answered Esau, "Look, I have made him your master. I have given him all his brothers to be his servants. I have given him grain and wine to keep him strong. So what can I do for you now, my son?"

And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?

38Esau said to his father, "Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!" Then Esau cried out loud and wept.

And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

39His father Isaac answered him, "Look, your home will have the rich land, and the dew from the sky above."

And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

NoteEsau's family later lived in a dry, rocky land called Edom.

40"You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But one day, when you grow restless, you will break his yoke off your neck."

And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

NoteA yoke is a wooden bar laid on an animal's neck. It makes the animal pull a heavy load. Here it means having to obey someone else.

41Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing his father gave him. Esau said in his heart, "The days of sadness for my father are near. Then I will kill my brother Jacob."

And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

NoteWhen someone died, the family kept special sad days. They cried and remembered the person together.

42Someone told Rebekah what her older son Esau said. She sent for her younger son Jacob. She said to him, "Look, your brother Esau is making himself feel better. He plans to kill you."

And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.

NoteThe King James says Esau "doth comfort himself." It means he made himself feel better by planning to kill Jacob.

43"So now, my son, listen to me. Get up and run away to my brother Laban in Haran."

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

NoteLaban was Rebekah's brother, so he was Jacob's uncle. Haran was a town far away, many days of walking.

44"Stay with him a few days, until your brother's hot anger goes away."

And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;

45"Stay until your brother is not angry with you anymore. Stay until he forgets what you did to him. Then I will send for you and bring you back. Why should I lose both of you in one day?"

Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

NoteIf Esau killed Jacob, Rebekah would lose Jacob. She would lose Esau too, because he would have to run away.

1Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. Then he told him, "Do not marry one of the women of Canaan."

And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.

NoteTo bless someone was to ask God to be good to them. Canaan was the land where Jacob's family lived. The people there prayed to other gods.

2"Get up and go to Padanaram. Go to the house of Bethuel, your mother's father. Marry one of the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother."

Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.

NotePadanaram was a land far away, many days of walking. Jacob's mother's family lived there. Back then people often married a cousin from their own family.

3"May God Almighty bless you. May he give you children, and many more after them. May you become a great many people."

And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

Note"God Almighty" is a name for God. It means the one who is stronger than everything.

4"May he give you the blessing he gave Abraham. May he give it to you and to your children after you. Then this land will be yours. Right now you live here as a stranger. God gave this land to Abraham."

And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.

NoteAbraham was Jacob's grandfather. God had promised Abraham this land and many, many children. A stranger is someone living in a land that is not his own.

5So Isaac sent Jacob away. Jacob went to Padanaram, to Laban. Laban was the son of Bethuel the Syrian. Laban was the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.

NoteSyrian means he came from Syria, a land far to the north. That is where Rebekah's family lived.

6Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob. He saw that Isaac had sent him to Padanaram to find a wife there. He saw that Isaac had told him, "Do not marry one of the women of Canaan."

When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

7He also saw that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother. Jacob had gone to Padanaram.

And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;

8And Esau saw that his father Isaac was not happy with the women of Canaan.

And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;

9Then Esau went to Ishmael. He already had wives, and he married Mahalath too. Mahalath was the daughter of Ishmael, who was Abraham's son. She was the sister of Nebajoth.

Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

NoteIshmael was Abraham's other son. So Ishmael was Isaac's half brother. In those days a man could have more than one wife.

10Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran.

And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.

NoteBeersheba was Jacob's home. Haran was very far north, weeks of walking away.

11He came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took some of the stones of that place and put them under his head. Then he lay down there to sleep.

And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

NotePeople on a trip had no soft pillows. A smooth stone under the head was normal.

12He had a dream. He saw a ladder standing on the earth. Its top reached all the way to heaven. God's angels were going up and down on it.

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

NoteAngels are messengers who bring word from God. The ladder was more like a wide stairway going up.

13The LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham, and the God of Isaac. The land you are lying on I will give to you. I will give it to your children after you."

And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

NoteLORD in big letters is God's own special name, the name he told his people.

14"Your children and their children will be like the dust of the earth. You will spread out to the west, the east, the north, and the south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and through your children."

And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

NoteDust means the fine dirt on the ground. Nobody can count it. That is how many people would come from Jacob.

15"Look, I am with you. I will keep you safe everywhere you go. I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I told you."

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

16Jacob woke up from his sleep. He said, "The LORD is surely in this place, and I did not know it."

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.

17He was afraid. He said, "How awesome this place is! This is nothing less than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven."

And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

NoteIn the old words this says, "How dreadful is this place!" Dreadful used to mean full of wonder. It did not mean bad or horrible.

18Jacob got up early in the morning. He took the stone he had put under his head. He stood it up as a pillar, a stone set upright. Then he poured oil on top of it.

And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

NoteStanding a big stone upright was a way to mark a special spot. Pouring oil on it showed the stone was set apart for God.

19He named that place Bethel. Before that, the city was named Luz.

And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

NoteBethel means "house of God" in Jacob's language. Luz was the town's older name.

20Then Jacob made a promise. He said, "If God will be with me, and will keep me safe on this trip I am taking, and will give me bread to eat and clothes to wear,"

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

NoteThis was a solemn promise, the most serious kind. People called it a vow.

21"so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the LORD will be my God."

So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

22"And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God's house. And of everything you give me, I will surely give you a tenth."

And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

NoteA tenth means one out of every ten. If he got ten sheep, one would go to God.

1Then Jacob went on his way. He came to the land of the people of the east.

Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.

NoteThe people of the east lived far away, past the desert. Jacob had left home and walked for many days.

2He looked and saw a well in a field. Three flocks of sheep were lying near it. The sheep drank water from that well. A big stone lay over the opening of the well.

And 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’s mouth.

NoteA well is a deep hole dug down to water under the ground. A flock is a group of sheep kept together. The heavy stone kept dirt out and kept strangers from taking the water.

3All the flocks were brought together there. Then they rolled the stone off the well. They gave the sheep water. Then they put the stone back over the well.

And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place.

4Jacob said to the men, "My brothers, where are you from?" They said, "We are from Haran."

And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.

NoteHaran was a town far away. Jacob's mother had grown up there. Her family still lived there.

5He said to them, "Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him."

And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.

NoteNahor was really Laban's grandfather. In those days people said "son" for a grandson too.

6He said, "Is he well?" They said, "He is well. Look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep."

And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

Note"Is he well?" means "Is he healthy and doing all right?"

7He said, "Look, the sun is still high. It is not time to bring the animals in. Give the sheep water. Then go and let them eat grass."

And 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.

NoteSheep were brought home at the end of the day. The sun was still high, so there was more time to eat grass.

8They said, "We cannot. We wait until all the flocks are here. Then the stone is rolled off the well. Then we give the sheep water."

And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.

9While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep. She took care of them.

And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them.

NoteGirls and young women often looked after the family sheep. It was a real job, out in the fields all day.

10Laban was the brother of Jacob's mother. Jacob saw Rachel, Laban's daughter, and Laban's sheep. So Jacob went over and rolled the stone off the well. He gave water to Laban's flock.

And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.

NoteLaban was Jacob's uncle. The stone was so heavy that it usually took several men to move it.

11Then Jacob kissed Rachel. He cried out loud and wept.

And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

NoteA kiss on the cheek was the normal way to greet family. It was like a big hug today. People also cried out loud when they were happy.

12Jacob told Rachel that he belonged to her father's family. He told her he was Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father.

And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother, and that he was Rebekah’s son: and she ran and told her father.

NoteThe old words say Jacob was her father's "brother." Back then that word could mean any relative. Jacob was really Laban's nephew.

13Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister's son. He ran out to meet him. He hugged him and kissed him and brought him home. Jacob told Laban all that had happened.

And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s 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.

14Laban said to him, "You are truly my own flesh and blood." Jacob stayed with him for a month.

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

Note"My own flesh and blood" means "you are part of my family."

15Then Laban said to Jacob, "You are my relative. Should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your pay should be."

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

NotePay was not always money. A worker might be paid with food, animals, or clothes.

16Laban had two daughters. The older one was named Leah. The younger one was named Rachel.

And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

17Leah's eyes were weak. Rachel was beautiful and lovely to look at.

Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

18Jacob loved Rachel. He said, "I will work for you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

NoteA man usually gave the bride's family a gift before a wedding. Jacob had no money or animals with him. So he offered seven years of hard work instead.

19Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than to another man. Stay here with me."

And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.

20So Jacob worked seven years to get Rachel. It felt like only a few days to him, because he loved her.

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

21Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is finished. I want to sleep with her."

And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22So Laban called together all the men of that place. He made a big meal for them.

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

NoteA wedding meal was a big party. It lasted a whole week, with many guests.

23That evening Laban took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob. Jacob slept with her.

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.

NoteThe bride wore a thick veil over her face. It was dark at night, so Jacob could not see who she was.

24Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah, to be her helper.

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

NoteA servant girl worked for the family. She went with the bride to her new home to help her.

25In the morning, there was Leah! Jacob said to Laban, "What have you done to me? Did I not work for you to get Rachel? Why did you trick me?"

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?

26Laban said, "In our land we do not do that. The younger daughter is not married before the older one."

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

NoteIn that land the oldest daughter had to marry first. That was their rule for families.

27"Finish this wedding week with Leah. Then we will give you Rachel too. For her you will work seven more years for me."

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

NoteThe wedding party lasted seven days. Jacob had to stay with Leah for all of it.

28Jacob did that. He finished the wedding week with Leah. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife too.

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

29Laban gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel, to be her helper.

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

30Jacob slept with Rachel too. He loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for Laban seven more years.

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

NoteIn those days a man sometimes had more than one wife. That is why Jacob was married to both sisters.

1Rachel saw that she had no children for Jacob. She was jealous of her sister Leah. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die."

And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.

NoteLong ago, having children was the most important thing for a family. A woman with no children often felt very sad and ashamed.

2Jacob became angry with Rachel. He said, "Am I in God's place? He is the one who has kept you from having children."

And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

NoteJacob means that he is not God. Only God can decide when a baby is born.

3Rachel said, "Here is my servant Bilhah. Sleep with her. She will give birth on my knees. Then I can have children through her too."

And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.

NoteHolding a new baby on your knees was a sign. It meant, "This baby counts as mine."

4So Rachel gave him her servant Bilhah to be his wife. Jacob slept with her.

And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.

NoteIn those days a man could have more than one wife. Bilhah was Rachel's servant, so her baby would count as Rachel's baby.

5Bilhah was going to have a baby. She had a son for Jacob.

And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.

6Rachel said, "God has judged for me. He heard me and gave me a son." So she named him Dan.

And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

NoteIn Hebrew, the old language of this story, "Dan" sounds like the word for "he judged." Judged here means God gave Rachel what was fair.

7Bilhah, Rachel's servant, was going to have another baby. She had a second son for Jacob.

And Bilhah Rachel’s maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.

8Rachel said, "I have fought hard with my sister, and I have won." She named him Naphtali.

And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.

Note"Naphtali" sounds like the Hebrew word for "my fight." People often picked names that sounded like something that had happened.

9Leah saw that she had stopped having children. So she took her servant Zilpah. She gave her to Jacob to be his wife.

When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.

10Zilpah, Leah's servant, had a son for Jacob.

And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son.

11Leah said, "Good fortune has come!" She named him Gad.

And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.

Note"Gad" sounds like the Hebrew word for good luck. Leah is saying that something good has come to her.

12Zilpah, Leah's servant, had a second son for Jacob.

And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a second son.

13Leah said, "How happy I am! The women will call me happy." She named him Asher.

And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

Note"Asher" sounds like the Hebrew word for "happy."

14During the wheat harvest, Reuben went out. He found some mandrake plants in a field. He brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes."

And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son’s mandrakes.

NoteMandrakes are plants with a strong smell and small yellow fruit. Back then people believed they helped a woman have a baby. Wheat harvest is early summer, when people cut the ripe wheat.

15Leah said to her, "Is it a small thing that you took my husband? Now will you take my son's mandrakes too?" Rachel said, "Then Jacob may sleep with you tonight for your son's mandrakes."

And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son’s mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son’s mandrakes.

16That evening Jacob came in from the field. Leah went out to meet him. She said, "You must come to me. I have paid for you with my son's mandrakes." So he slept with her that night.

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son’s mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.

17God listened to Leah. She was going to have a baby, and she had a fifth son for Jacob.

And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.

18Leah said, "God has paid me, because I gave my servant to my husband." She named him Issachar.

And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

Note"Issachar" sounds like the Hebrew word for pay or reward.

19Leah was going to have another baby. She had a sixth son for Jacob.

And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.

20Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will live with me, because I have given him six sons." She named him Zebulun.

And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

Note"Zebulun" sounds like a Hebrew word for living together with someone.

21After that she had a daughter. She named her Dinah.

And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

22Then God remembered Rachel. God listened to her and let her have a baby.

And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.

Note"God remembered" does not mean God had forgotten her. It means God now did something to help her.

23She was going to have a baby, and she had a son. She said, "God has taken away my shame."

And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:

NoteOther people had looked down on Rachel for having no children. That is the shame she means.

24She named him Joseph. She said, "May the LORD give me another son."

And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

Note"Joseph" sounds like the Hebrew word for "may he add another."