Genesis 29:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Fulfil {H4390} her {H2063} week {H7620}, and we will give {H5414} thee this also for the service {H5656} which thou shalt serve {H5647} with me yet seven {H7651} other {H312} years {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Finish the marriage week of this one, and we'll give you the other one also in exchange for the work you will do for me during yet another seven years."

Berean Standard Bible

Finish this week’s celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 29:27 records Laban's calculated and deceptive proposal to Jacob, delivered immediately after Jacob's discovery that he had been tricked into marrying Leah instead of Rachel. Laban cunningly insists that Jacob first complete the customary seven-day wedding feast for Leah, after which he promises to give Rachel to Jacob, but only on the condition that Jacob serves him for an additional seven years, effectively doubling Jacob's original commitment and securing further labor under the guise of tradition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the pivotal moment following Jacob's realization of Laban's deceit on his wedding night. Having served seven years for Rachel, Jacob awakens to find Leah by his side ([Genesis 29:25](/genesis/29-25 "Jacob Discovers Laban's Deception")). His immediate confrontation with Laban sets the stage for this manipulative counter-offer. Laban's demand in [Genesis 29:27](/genesis/29-27 "Laban's Deceptive Offer") is a direct response to Jacob's outrage, skillfully leveraging cultural norms to his advantage while securing an additional seven years of Jacob's valuable labor. The narrative then quickly moves to Jacob's acceptance and the subsequent marriage to Rachel, followed by the beginning of the family saga with the births of Jacob's children ([Genesis 29:31-35](/genesis/29-31-35 "The Births of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage customs often involved a bride-price paid by the groom or his family, and a customary week-long wedding feast. While the seven-day feast for the primary wife was a common practice, Laban's insistence on completing Leah's "week" before giving Rachel was a shrewd manipulation of tradition. Betrothal was often considered as binding as marriage, and a man could have multiple wives, though typically the first wife was the primary one. Laban's actions exploit Jacob's vulnerable position as a foreigner living under his uncle's authority, far from his own kin in Haran, demonstrating the patriarchal power dynamics and the importance of family honor and lineage in that society.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 29](/genesis/29 "Jacob, Leah, and Rachel") is rich with themes that converge in this verse. **Deception** is paramount, as Laban's trickery mirrors the deception Jacob himself used against his brother Esau and father Isaac ([Genesis 27](/genesis/27 "Jacob Deceives Isaac")). This highlights a recurring motif of "sowing and reaping" within the Jacob narrative. The theme of **Divine Sovereignty** is also evident; despite human manipulation, God's plan for Jacob to become the father of a great nation, from whom the twelve tribes of Israel would descend, continues to unfold through both Leah and Rachel. Furthermore, Jacob's **perseverance** and deep **love** for Rachel are profoundly underscored by his willingness to endure an additional seven years of service, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his desired bride and the family God promised him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Laban's statement in 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," reveals his manipulative character and the ancient customs at play.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fulfil (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ_):** This primitive root means "to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)." In this context, it signifies the completion or bringing to an end of a specific period or obligation. Laban demands that Jacob fully complete the seven-day period of celebration and cohabitation with Leah, implying that the marriage must be fully established before the next arrangement can commence.
* **Week (Hebrew, _shâbûwaʻ_):** Derived from the word for "seven," this term literally means "sevened," referring to a period of seven days or, specifically, a week. Here, it denotes the customary seven-day wedding celebration or feast that would follow the marriage ceremony, during which the bride and groom would begin their life together. Laban leverages this tradition to solidify Leah's position as Jacob's wife and to delay Rachel's marriage.
* **Service (Hebrew, _ʻăbôdâh_):** From the root meaning "to work" or "to serve," this noun refers to "work of any kind," including labor, bondage, or ministry. Laban's use of this word emphasizes the transactional nature of his relationship with Jacob, viewing Jacob primarily as a source of labor, rather than a family member. The term underscores the economic exploitation at the heart of Laban's proposal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Fulfil her week,"**: Laban's opening demand. This refers to the customary seven-day wedding celebration and initial period of cohabitation for Leah. Laban insists that Jacob fully honor and complete this traditional period with Leah before any further arrangements can be made concerning Rachel. This legitimizes Leah's position as Jacob's wife and strategically delays the fulfillment of Jacob's original desire.
* **"and we will give thee this also"**: This phrase is Laban's conditional promise. "This also" unequivocally refers to Rachel, the woman Jacob truly loved and had served seven years to marry. Laban presents Rachel not as a right Jacob earned, but as an additional "gift" contingent upon new terms, highlighting his control over the situation and his daughters.
* **"for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years."**: This is the core of Laban's deceptive and exploitative demand. He is not simply giving Rachel; he is effectively selling her for another seven years of Jacob's labor. This stipulation doubles Jacob's initial commitment, making his total service for both wives fourteen years. It underscores Laban's insatiable greed and his willingness to manipulate familial bonds and cultural norms for economic gain.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [Genesis 29:27](/genesis/29-27 "Laban's Deceptive Offer") is rich in literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. **Irony** is prominent, as Laban, who himself is a master of deception, chastises Jacob for his presumed lack of adherence to custom, while simultaneously using custom as a pretext for his own deceit. There is also strong **Characterization** of Laban as a shrewd, manipulative, and avaricious individual, contrasting sharply with Jacob's initial earnestness, yet subtly mirroring Jacob's own past deceptions. The phrase "yet seven other years" functions as **Foreshadowing**, signaling the extended period of toil and conflict that will characterize Jacob's relationship with Laban, and hinting at the ongoing struggles within Jacob's own household due to the rivalry between Leah and Rachel. The entire exchange is a dramatic instance of **Conflict**, not only between Jacob and Laban but also hinting at the internal conflict Jacob faces between his desire for Rachel and his new, unexpected marital bond with Leah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Laban's actions in Genesis 29:27 powerfully illustrate the pervasive nature of human sin and deception, even within familial relationships. Yet, this narrative also profoundly demonstrates God's unwavering sovereignty, working through the complexities and imperfections of human choices to advance His divine purposes. Despite Laban's manipulative schemes, God ensures that both Leah and Rachel become mothers of the twelve tribes, foundational to the nation of Israel, thereby fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham and Isaac through Jacob. This highlights God's ability to redeem even the most challenging and unjust circumstances, transforming human evil into divine good.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Purpose in Joseph's Life") - Joseph's words to his brothers encapsulate the principle that God can use human evil for His good purposes.
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works for Good") - This verse affirms God's ability to work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "The Lord Directs Our Steps") - While humans plan their way, the Lord directs their steps, a truth powerfully demonstrated in Jacob's life despite Laban's schemes.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 29:27 offers profound insights into navigating life's inevitable encounters with injustice and manipulation. Jacob's experience reminds us that even when faced with exploitation and broken promises, our response can be a testament to our character and our reliance on God's ultimate justice and faithfulness. It challenges believers to consider how they respond when circumstances are unfair or plans go awry, encouraging perseverance and trust in a sovereign God who can redeem even the most difficult situations. This narrative invites us to reflect on the nature of our commitments, the cost of our desires, and the unwavering truth that God remains faithful to His promises, often working through imperfect means and flawed individuals to accomplish His perfect will. We are called to cultivate integrity and patience, trusting that God's overarching plan will prevail, even when human actions seem to derail our immediate hopes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when I feel deceived or exploited by others, particularly those I trust?**
* **In what ways might God be working through difficult or unjust circumstances in my life to achieve a greater purpose?**
* **What does Jacob's willingness to endure further hardship for Rachel teach me about perseverance in pursuing God-given desires or callings?**

### FAQ
**Why did Laban insist on Jacob fulfilling Leah's week before giving him Rachel?**

Answer: Laban's insistence on "fulfilling her week" was a clever manipulation of a genuine ancient Near Eastern custom. The seven-day wedding feast was a period of celebration and the formal establishment of a marriage. By demanding Jacob complete this period with Leah, Laban solidified Leah's position as Jacob's legitimate wife and, crucially, delayed the marriage to Rachel. This delay served Laban's primary purpose: to secure an additional seven years of Jacob's valuable labor by making Rachel's hand contingent on this extended service. It was a strategic move to maximize his personal gain under the guise of upholding tradition.

**Did Jacob have any choice but to agree to Laban's terms?**

Answer: From a practical and emotional standpoint, Jacob was in an extremely vulnerable position, which Laban ruthlessly exploited. He was far from his family in Canaan, deeply in love with Rachel, and had already invested seven years of his life in service for her. Laban, as the head of the household and Rachel's father, held immense power. Refusing Laban's terms would have meant not only losing Rachel, the woman he adored, but also the potential for a family and lineage as promised by God, and a long, difficult journey home with nothing to show for his years of toil. While a choice technically existed, Jacob's agreement, though coerced, reflects the depth of his commitment to Rachel and, implicitly, his trust that God's promises regarding his descendants would still come to fruition through this complex situation. His love for Rachel, as noted in [Genesis 29:30](/genesis/29-30 "Jacob's Love for Rachel"), was the driving force behind his remarkable endurance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's arduous service for his bride, marked by deception and extended labor, serves as a poignant, albeit imperfect, foreshadowing of Christ's unparalleled sacrifice and unwavering commitment to His bride, the Church. Just as Jacob endured fourteen years of toil and deceit for the women who would become mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel, so Christ, the true Bridegroom, willingly endured immense suffering, humiliation, and ultimately the cross, to redeem and sanctify His Church, making her spotless and pure ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ Loved the Church")). Furthermore, God's sovereign hand, working through Laban's deceit to bring about the lineage of Christ through both Leah and Rachel, powerfully illustrates that human sin and imperfection cannot thwart His ultimate plan of salvation. This divine orchestration, even amidst human brokenness, culminates in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, who came to fulfill all righteousness and establish His eternal covenant, making a way for all who believe to be united with Him as His beloved bride ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 14:12

And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find [it] out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:

Leviticus 18:18

Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex [her], to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life [time].

Genesis 2:2

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

Genesis 2:3

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Genesis 8:10

And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;

Genesis 8:12

And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

Judges 14:10

¶ So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do.