Gen 29:27-28 | NETfull | STEP | Complete my older daughter’s bridal week. Then we will give you the younger one too, in exchange for seven more years of work.”

Genesis 29:27-28

27 Complete my older daughter’s bridal week. ^{▼▼ Heb “fulfill the period of seven of this one.” The referent of “this one” has been specified in the translation as “my older daughter” for clarity.} ^{▼▼ Bridal week. An ancient Hebrew marriage ceremony included an entire week of festivities (cf. Judg 14:12).} Then we will give you the younger one ^{▼▼ Heb “this other one.”} too, in exchange for seven more years of work.” ^{▼▼ Heb “and we will give to you also this one in exchange for labor which you will work with me, still seven other years.”} ^{▼▼ In exchange for seven more years of work. See C. H. Gordon, “The Story of Jacob and Laban in the Light of the Nuzi Tablets,” BASOR 66 (1937): 25-27; and J. Van Seters, “Jacob’s Marriages and Ancient Near Eastern Customs: A Reassessment,” HTR 62 (1969): 377-95.}

28 Jacob did as Laban said. ^{▼▼ Heb “and Jacob did so.” The words “as Laban said” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.} When Jacob ^{▼▼ Heb “and he”; the referent (Jacob) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} completed Leah’s bridal week, ^{▼▼ Heb “the seven of this one.” The referent of “this one” has been specified in the translation as Leah to avoid confusion with Rachel, mentioned later in the verse.} Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. ^{▼▼ Heb “and he gave to him Rachel his daughter for him for a wife.” The referent of the pronoun “he” (Laban) has been specified in the translation for clarity.}