Antiguo Testamento

Genesis — Capítulo 29

THE WELL OF HARAN. (Gen. 29:1-35) Then Jacob went, &c.--Hebrew, "lifted up his feet." He resumed his way next morning with a light heart and elastic step after the vision of the ladder; for tokens of the divine favor …

Versión

Texto — Reina-Valera 1960

1Siguió luego Jacob su camino, y fue a la tierra de los orientales.

2Y miró, y vio un pozo en el campo; y he aquí tres rebaños de ovejas que yacían cerca de él, porque de aquel pozo abrevaban los ganados; y había una gran piedra sobre la boca del pozo.

3Y juntaban allí todos los rebaños; y revolvían la piedra de la boca del pozo, y abrevaban las ovejas, y volvían la piedra sobre la boca del pozo a su lugar.

4Y les dijo Jacob: Hermanos míos, ¿de dónde sois? Y ellos respondieron: De Harán somos.

5Él les dijo: ¿Conocéis a Labán hijo de Nacor? Y ellos dijeron: Sí, le conocemos.

6Y él les dijo: ¿Está bien? Y ellos dijeron: Bien, y he aquí Raquel su hija viene con las ovejas.

7Y él dijo: He aquí es aún muy de día; no es tiempo todavía de recoger el ganado; abrevad las ovejas, e id a apacentarlas.

8Y ellos respondieron: No podemos, hasta que se junten todos los rebaños, y remuevan la piedra de la boca del pozo, para que abrevemos las ovejas.

9Mientras él aún hablaba con ellos, Raquel vino con el rebaño de su padre, porque ella era la pastora.

10Y sucedió que cuando Jacob vio a Raquel, hija de Labán hermano de su madre, y las ovejas de Labán el hermano de su madre, se acercó Jacob y removió la piedra de la boca del pozo, y abrevó el rebaño de Labán hermano de su madre.

11Y Jacob besó a Raquel, y alzó su voz y lloró.

12Y Jacob dijo a Raquel que él era hermano de su padre, y que era hijo de Rebeca; y ella corrió, y dio las nuevas a su padre.

13Así que oyó Labán las nuevas de Jacob, hijo de su hermana, corrió a recibirlo, y lo abrazó, lo besó, y lo trajo a su casa; y él contó a Labán todas estas cosas.

14Y Labán le dijo: Ciertamente hueso mío y carne mía eres. Y estuvo con él durante un mes.

15Entonces dijo Labán a Jacob: ¿Por ser tú mi hermano, me servirás de balde? Dime cuál será tu salario.

16Y Labán tenía dos hijas: el nombre de la mayor era Lea, y el nombre de la menor, Raquel.

17Y los ojos de Lea eran delicados, pero Raquel era de lindo semblante y de hermoso parecer.

18Y Jacob amó a Raquel, y dijo: Yo te serviré siete años por Raquel tu hija menor.

19Y Labán respondió: Mejor es que te la dé a ti, y no que la dé a otro hombre; quédate conmigo.

20Así sirvió Jacob por Raquel siete años; y le parecieron como pocos días, porque la amaba.

21Entonces dijo Jacob a Labán: Dame mi mujer, porque mi tiempo se ha cumplido, para unirme a ella.

22Entonces Labán juntó a todos los varones de aquel lugar, e hizo banquete.

23Y sucedió que a la noche tomó a Lea su hija, y se la trajo; y él se llegó a ella.

24Y dio Labán su sierva Zilpa a su hija Lea por criada.

25Venida la mañana, he aquí que era Lea; y Jacob dijo a Labán: ¿Qué es esto que me has hecho? ¿No te he servido por Raquel? ¿Por qué, pues, me has engañado?

26Y Labán respondió: No se hace así en nuestro lugar, que se dé la menor antes de la mayor.

27Cumple la semana de esta, y se te dará también la otra, por el servicio que hagas conmigo otros siete años.

28E hizo Jacob así, y cumplió la semana de aquella; y él le dio a Raquel su hija por mujer.

29Y dio Labán a Raquel su hija su sierva Bilha por criada.

30Y se llegó también a Raquel, y la amó también más que a Lea; y sirvió a Labán aún otros siete años.

31Y vio Jehová que Lea era menospreciada, y le dio hijos; pero Raquel era estéril.

32Y concibió Lea, y dio a luz un hijo, y llamó su nombre Rubén, porque dijo: Ha mirado Jehová mi aflicción; ahora, por tanto, me amará mi marido.

33Concibió otra vez, y dio a luz un hijo, y dijo: Por cuanto oyó Jehová que yo era menospreciada, me ha dado también este. Y llamó su nombre Simeón.

34Y concibió otra vez, y dio a luz un hijo, y dijo: Ahora esta vez se unirá mi marido conmigo, porque le he dado a luz tres hijos; por tanto, llamó su nombre Leví.

35Concibió otra vez, y dio a luz un hijo, y dijo: Esta vez alabaré a Jehová; por esto llamó su nombre Judá; y dejó de dar a luz.

JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY

Versículo 2

I. And he looked, &c.--As he approached the place of his destination, he, according to custom, repai…

And he looked, &c.--As he approached the place of his destination, he, according to custom, repaired to the well adjoining the town where he would obtain an easy introduction to his relatives.

Versículo 3

II. thither were all the flocks gathered; and a stone, &c.--In Arabia, owing to the shifting sands an…

thither were all the flocks gathered; and a stone, &c.--In Arabia, owing to the shifting sands and in other places, owing to the strong evaporation, the mouth of a well is generally covered, especially when it is private property. Over many is laid a broad, thick, flat stone, with a round hole cut in the middle, forming the mouth of the cistern. This hole is covered with a heavy stone which it would require two or three men to roll away. Such was the description of the well at Haran.

Versículo 4

III. Jacob said, My brethren--Finding from the shepherds who were reposing there with flocks and who a…

Jacob said, My brethren--Finding from the shepherds who were reposing there with flocks and who all belonged to Haran, that his relatives in Haran were well and that one of the family was shortly expected, he enquired why they were idling the best part of the day there instead of watering their flocks and sending them back to pasture.

Versículo 8

IV. They said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered--In order to prevent the consequences of t…

They said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered--In order to prevent the consequences of too frequent exposure in places where water is scarce, the well is not only covered, but it is customary to have all the flocks collected round it before the covering is removed in presence of the owner or one of his representatives; and it was for this reason that those who were reposing at the well of Haran with the three flocks were waiting the arrival of Rachel.

Versículo 9

V. While he yet spake with them, Rachel came--Among the pastoral tribes the young unmarried daughter…

While he yet spake with them, Rachel came--Among the pastoral tribes the young unmarried daughters of the greatest sheiks tend the flocks, going out at sunrise and continuing to watch their fleecy charges till sunset. Watering them, which is done twice a day, is a work of time and labor, and Jacob rendered no small service in volunteering his aid to the young shepherdess. The interview was affecting, the reception welcome, and Jacob forgot all his toils in the society of his Mesopotamian relatives. Can we doubt that he returned thanks to God for His goodness by the way?

Versículo 12

VI. Jacob told Rachel, &c.--According to the practice of the East, the term "brother" is extended to …

Jacob told Rachel, &c.--According to the practice of the East, the term "brother" is extended to remote degrees of relationship, as uncle, cousin, or nephew.

Versículo 14

VII. he abode a month--Among pastoral people a stranger is freely entertained for three days; on the f…

he abode a month--Among pastoral people a stranger is freely entertained for three days; on the fourth day he is expected to tell his name and errand; and if he prolongs his stay after that time, he must set his hand to work in some way, as may be agreed upon. A similar rule obtained in Laban's establishment, and the wages for which his nephew engaged to continue in his employment was the hand of Rachel.

Versículo 17

VIII. Leah tender-eyed--that is, soft blue eyes--thought a blemish.

Leah tender-eyed--that is, soft blue eyes--thought a blemish. Rachel beautiful and well-favored--that is, comely and handsome in form. The latter was Jacob's choice.

Versículo 18

IX. I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy daughter--A proposal of marriage is made to the fath…

I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy daughter--A proposal of marriage is made to the father without the daughter being consulted, and the match is effected by the suitor either bestowing costly presents on the family, or by giving cattle to the value the father sets upon his daughter, or else by giving personal services for a specified period. The last was the course necessity imposed on Jacob; and there for seven years he submitted to the drudgery of a hired shepherd, with the view of obtaining Rachel. The time went rapidly away; for even severe and difficult duties become light when love is the spring of action.

Versículo 21

X. Jacob said, Give me my wife--At the expiry of the stipulated term the marriage festivities were h…

Jacob said, Give me my wife--At the expiry of the stipulated term the marriage festivities were held. But an infamous fraud was practised on Jacob, and on his showing a righteous indignation, the usage of the country was pleaded in excuse. No plea of kindred should ever be allowed to come in opposition to the claim of justice. But this is often overlooked by the selfish mind of man, and fashion or custom rules instead of the will of God. This was what Laban did, as he said, "It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born." But, then, if that were the prevailing custom of society at Haran, he should have apprized his nephew of it at an early period in an honorable manner. This, however, is too much the way with the people of the East still. The duty of marrying an elder daughter before a younger, the tricks which parents take to get off an elder daughter that is plain or deformed and in which they are favored by the long bridal veil that entirely conceals her features all the wedding day, and the prolongation for a week of the marriage festivities among the greater sheiks, are accordant with the habits of the people in Arabia and Armenia in the present day.

Versículo 28

XI. gave him Rachel also--It is evident that the marriage of both sisters took place nearly about the…

gave him Rachel also--It is evident that the marriage of both sisters took place nearly about the same time, and that such a connection was then allowed, though afterwards prohibited (Lev 18:18).

Versículo 29

XII. gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah to be her maid--A father in good circumstances still gives his…

gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah to be her maid--A father in good circumstances still gives his daughter from his household a female slave, over whom the young wife, independently of her husband, has the absolute control.

Versículo 31

XIII. Leah . . . hated--that is, not loved so much as she ought to have been. Her becoming a mother ens…

Leah . . . hated--that is, not loved so much as she ought to have been. Her becoming a mother ensured her rising in the estimation both of her husband and of society.

Versículo 32

XIV. son . . . his name Reuben--Names were also significant; and those which Leah gave to her sons wer…

son . . . his name Reuben--Names were also significant; and those which Leah gave to her sons were expressive of her varying feelings of thankfulness or joy, or allusive to circumstances in the history of the family. There was piety and wisdom in attaching a signification to names, as it tended to keep the bearer in remembrance of his duty and the claims of God. Next: Genesis Chapter 30

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