Genesis 29 · Verse 26

Genesis 29:26

And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
Genesis 29:26, King James Version

Genesis 29:26 in other translations

BSBLaban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older.
WEBLaban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
ASVAnd Laban said, It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the first-born.
YLTAnd Laban saith, ‘It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the first-born;
DARBYAnd Laban said, It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
BBEAnd Laban said, In our country we do not let the younger daughter be married before the older.
WebsterAnd Laban said, it must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born.

What does Genesis 29:26 mean?

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 26 It must not be so done in our country - It was an early custom to give daughters in marriage according to their seniority; and it is worthy of remark that the oldest people now existing, next to the Jews, I mean the Hindoos, have this not merely as a custom, but as a positive law; and they deem it criminal to give a younger daughter in marriage while an elder daughter remains unmarried. Among them it is a high offense, equal to adultery, "for a man to marry while his elder brother remains unmarried, or for a man to give his daughter to such a person, or to give his youngest daughter in marriage while the eldest sister remains unmarried." - Code of Gentoo Laws, chap. xv., sec. 1, p. 204. This was a custom at Mesopotamia; but Laban took care to conceal it from Jacob till after he had given him Leah. The words of Laban are literally what a Hindoo would say on such a subject.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

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 29:26 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.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merand he saidH559
לָבָ֔ןla.VanLabanH3837
לֹא\־lo'-notH3808
יֵעָשֶׂ֥הye.'a.Sehit is doneH6213
כֵ֖ןkhenthusH3651
בִּמְקוֹמֵ֑נוּbim.ko.Me.nuin place ourH4725
לָתֵ֥תla.Tetto giveH5414
הַצְּעִירָ֖הha.tze.'i.Rahthe youngH6810
לִפְנֵ֥יlif.Nei<to> beforeH6440
הַבְּכִירָֽה\׃ha.be.khi.Rahthe firstbornH1067

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
country. Heb. place.
26

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

Context

  • Genesis 29:25

    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?

  • Genesis 29:26

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

  • Genesis 29:27

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

Read all of Genesis 29

Genesis 29:26 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y Labán respondió: No se hace así en nuestro lugar, que se dé la menor antes de la mayor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Laban dit: On ne fait pas ainsi, dans notre lieu, de donner la plus jeune avant l’aînée.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und Laban sprach: Es geschieht nicht also an unserem Orte, die Jüngere vor der Erstgeborenen zu geben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Respondit Laban: Non est in loco nostro consuetudinis, ut minores ante tradamus ad nuptias.