Bible Strands
Genesis 29:16
Now Laban had two daughters; the older was named Leah, and the younger was named Rachel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator introduces Laban’s family to Jacob at the well, immediately following Laban’s offer to determine Jacob’s wages for his labor.
The words — בָּנוֹת (banot, daughters) and הַגְּדֹלָה (ha-g'dolah, the older) establish the familial structure and birth order that frame the subsequent narrative.
The thread — The verse’s mention of Leah and Rachel reappears in Genesis 49:31 regarding Leah’s burial in the cave of Machpelah, and in Ruth 4:11 where the elders bless a prospective bride by comparing her to both women.
Why it lands — The text records a simple genealogical fact without commentary, requiring the reader to note how this familial introduction sets the stage for the marriages, rivalries, and covenant lineage that follow.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
Cross-references
- Genesis 49:31 There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah.
- Ruth 4:11 “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.
- Genesis 29:17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.
- Genesis 29:25 When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?”
- Genesis 30:19 Again Leah conceived and bore a sixth son to Jacob.
- Genesis 31:4 So Jacob sent word and called Rachel and Leah to the field where his flocks were,
- Genesis 35:23 The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
- Genesis 46:15 These are the sons of Leah born to Jacob in Paddan-aram, in addition to his daughter Dinah. The total number of sons and daughters was thirty-three.
- Genesis 33:2 He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.