Bible Strands
Genesis 29:21
Finally Jacob said to Laban, “Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses Laban after completing his seven-year term of service, requesting the hand of Rachel in marriage. He speaks at the conclusion of his agreed labor, signaling the transition from service to marital union.
The words — The imperative הָבָ֣/ה (ha.Va/h) commands Laban to "give" Jacob his wife, אִשְׁתִּ֔/י ('ish.T/i). The conjunction כִּ֥י (ki) introduces the reason that Jacob's appointed time has reached its full measure.
The thread — The theme of fulfilling an appointed term before claiming marital rights appears in Genesis 29:18, where Jacob pledges seven years for Rachel, and recurs in Judges 15:1 during Samson’s harvest visit to his wife.
Why it lands — The text requires acknowledgment that contractual obligations must be fully discharged before relational entitlements are exercised. It places the responsibility of timely fulfillment on the party who initiated the agreement.
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 Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.
Cross-references
- Judges 15:1 Later on, at the time of the wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. “I want to go to my wife in her room,” he said. But her father would not let him enter.
- Genesis 4:1 And Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man,” she said.
- Genesis 29:18 Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”
- Genesis 29:20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.
- Genesis 31:41 Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times!
- Genesis 38:16 Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “What will you give me for sleeping with you?” she inquired.
- Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.