Genesis 29 · Verse 18

Genesis 29:18

And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
Genesis 29:18, King James Version

Genesis 29:18 in other translations

BSBSince Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
WEBJacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”
ASVAnd Jacob loved Rachel; and he said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
YLTAnd Jacob loveth Rachel, and saith, ‘I serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter:'
DARBYAnd Jacob loved Rachel, and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
BBEAnd Jacob was in love with Rachel; and he said, I will be your servant seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.
WebsterAnd Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

What does Genesis 29:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 29:14-20

14-20. 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.

Read the full comment on Genesis 29:14-20 →

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 29:15-30

During the month that Jacob spent as a guest, he was not idle. Wherever we are, it is good to employ ourselves in some useful business. Laban was desirous that Jacob should continue with him. Inferior relations must not be imposed upon; it is our duty to reward them. Jacob made known to Laban the affection he had for his daughter Rachel. And having no wordly goods with which to endow her, he promises seven years'…

Read the full comment on Genesis 29:15-30 →

Genesis 29:18 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֶּאֱהַ֥בvai.ye.'e.Havand he lovedH157
יַעֲקֹ֖בya.'a.KoJacobH3290
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
רָחֵ֑לra.ChelRachelH7354
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559
אֶֽעֱבָדְךָ֙'e.'e.va.de.KhaI will serve youH5647
שֶׁ֣בַעShe.va'sevenH7651
שָׁנִ֔יםsha.NimyearsH8141
בְּרָחֵ֥לbe.ra.Chelfor RachelH7354
בִּתְּךָ֖bi.te.Khadaughter yourH1323
הַקְּטַנָּֽה\׃ha.ke.ta.Nah<the> youngH6996

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 29:18

  • Hosea 12:12

    And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

  • Exodus 22:16-17

    And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

  • Genesis 34:12

    Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.

  • Hosea 3:2

    So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

  • 2 Samuel 3:14

    And David sent messengers to Ish–bosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

  • Genesis 29:20

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

  • Genesis 29:30

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

  • Genesis 31:41

    Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
loved.
20,30
I will serve.In ancient times, it was a custom among many nations to give dowries for their wives; but Jacob, being poor, offered for Rachel seven year's service.
31:41; 34:12; Ex 22:16,17; 2Sa 3:14; Ho 3:2; 12:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 29:17

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

  • Genesis 29:18

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

  • Genesis 29:19

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

Read all of Genesis 29

Genesis 29:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y Jacob amó á Rachêl, y dijo: Yo te serviré siete años por Rachêl tu hija menor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Jacob aimait Rachel, et il dit: Je te servirai sept ans pour Rachel, ta plus jeune fille.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und Jakob liebte Rahel und sprach: Ich will dir sieben Jahre dienen um Rahel, deine jüngere Tochter.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quam diligens Jacob, ait: Serviam tibi pro Rachel filia tua minore, septem annis.