Genesis 29:24

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid [for] an handmaid.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Lavan also gave his slave-girl Zilpah to his daughter Le'ah as her slave-girl.

Berean Standard Bible:

And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.

American Standard Version:

And Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid unto his daughter Leah for a handmaid.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Laban^{H3837} gave^{H5414} unto his daughter^{H1323} Leah^{H3812} Zilpah^{H2153} his maid^{H8198} for an handmaid^{H8198}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 29:24

1. Themes:
- Deception: The verse reflects the theme of deception as Laban gives his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah, which is part of the broader narrative where Laban deceives Jacob by giving him Leah as a wife instead of Rachel, whom Jacob intended to marry.
- Family Dynamics: The action underscores the complex family relationships and negotiations common in ancient Near Eastern society, where the giving of servants was a means to secure social status and increase offspring.
- Marriage and Servitude: The verse illustrates the practice of giving servants to daughters upon marriage, which could be seen as a form of dowry to ensure the servant's children would be considered part of the mistress's lineage.

2. Historical Context:
- Patriarchal Era: The events take place during the Patriarchal Age, around the 2nd millennium BCE, when figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Laban were part of a larger family narrative.
- Ancient Near Eastern Customs: The practice of providing handmaids to one's daughter was in line with ancient Mesopotamian and Levantine customs, where the social status and economic well-being of a daughter could be enhanced by such gifts.
- Family Strategies: Laban's actions may reflect a strategy to maintain control over Jacob, who had come to work for Laban in order to marry Rachel. By giving Leah and her maid Zilpah to Jacob, Laban ensured that Jacob would continue to serve him for many years to come.

In summary, Genesis 29:24 highlights themes of deception within family dynamics and reflects the historical context of ancient Near Eastern marriage practices, where servants like Zilpah were given to daughters as part of their dowries, and familial alliances were strategically formed.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3837
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָבָן
   Transliteration: Lâbân
   Pronunciation: law-bawn'
   Description: the same as לָבָן; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert; Laban.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3812
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵאָה
   Transliteration: Lêʼâh
   Pronunciation: lay-aw'
   Description: from לָאָה; weary; Leah, a wife of Jacob; Leah.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2153
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זִלְפָּה
   Transliteration: Zilpâh
   Pronunciation: zil-paw
   Description: ; from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid; Zilpah.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8198
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁפְחָה
   Transliteration: shiphchâh
   Pronunciation: shif-khaw'
   Description: feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out (as a family; see מִשְׁפָּחָה); a female slave (as a member of the household); (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant.