Jacob, Joseph & Egypt

In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him. He went in to her.

Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid.

In the morning, behold, it was Leah. He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”

Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.

Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me yet seven other years.”

Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.

Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah, his handmaid, to be her handmaid.

He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

The LORD saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because the LORD has looked at my affliction. For now my husband will love me.”

She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon.

She conceived again, and bore a son. Said, “Now this time will my husband be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.

She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time will I praise the LORD.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.”

Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in God’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”

She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.”

She gave him Bilhah her handmaid as wife, and Jacob went in to her.

Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son.

Rachel said, “God has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore called she his name Dan.

Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son.

Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali.

When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob as a wife.

Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, bore Jacob a son.

Leah said, “How fortunate!” She named him Gad.

Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, bore Jacob a second son.