22 And Laban H3837 gathered together H622 all the men H582 of the place, H4725 and made H6213 a feast. H4960
So his father H1 went down H3381 unto the woman: H802 and Samson H8123 made H6213 there a feast; H4960 for so used the young men H970 to do. H6213 And it came to pass, when they saw H7200 him, that they brought H3947 thirty H7970 companions H4828 to be with him. And Samson H8123 said H559 unto them, I will now put forth H2330 a riddle H2420 unto you: if ye can certainly H5046 declare H5046 it me within the seven H7651 days H3117 of the feast, H4960 and find it out, H4672 then I will give H5414 you thirty H7970 sheets H5466 and thirty H7970 change H2487 of garments: H899 But if ye cannot H3201 declare H5046 it me, then shall ye give H5414 me thirty H7970 sheets H5466 and thirty H7970 change H2487 of garments. H899 And they said H559 unto him, Put forth H2330 thy riddle, H2420 that we may hear H8085 it. And he said H559 unto them, Out of the eater H398 came forth H3318 meat, H3978 and out of the strong H5794 came forth H3318 sweetness. H4966 And they could H3201 not in three H7969 days H3117 expound H5046 the riddle. H2420 And it came to pass on the seventh H7637 day, H3117 that they said H559 unto Samson's H8123 wife, H802 Entice H6601 thy husband, H376 that he may declare H5046 unto us the riddle, H2420 lest we burn H8313 thee and thy father's H1 house H1004 with fire: H784 have ye called H7121 us to take that we have? H3423 is it not so? And Samson's H8123 wife H802 wept H1058 before him, and said, H559 Thou dost but hate H8130 me, and lovest H157 me not: thou hast put forth H2330 a riddle H2420 unto the children H1121 of my people, H5971 and hast not told H5046 it me. And he said H559 unto her, Behold, I have not told H5046 it my father H1 nor my mother, H517 and shall I tell H5046 it thee? And she wept H1058 before him the seven H7651 days, H3117 while their feast H4960 lasted: H1961 and it came to pass on the seventh H7637 day, H3117 that he told H5046 her, because she lay sore H6693 upon him: and she told H5046 the riddle H2420 to the children H1121 of her people. H5971 And the men H582 of the city H5892 said H559 unto him on the seventh H7637 day H3117 before the sun H2775 went down, H935 What is sweeter H4966 than honey? H1706 and what is stronger H5794 than a lion? H738 And he said H559 unto them, If H3884 ye had not plowed H2790 with my heifer, H5697 ye had not found out H4672 my riddle. H2420
Moreover Ruth H7327 the Moabitess, H4125 the wife H802 of Mahlon, H4248 have I purchased H7069 to be my wife, H802 to raise up H6965 the name H8034 of the dead H4191 upon his inheritance, H5159 that the name H8034 of the dead H4191 be not cut off H3772 from among H5973 his brethren, H251 and from the gate H8179 of his place: H4725 ye are witnesses H5707 this day. H3117 And all the people H5971 that were in the gate, H8179 and the elders, H2205 said, H559 We are witnesses. H5707 The LORD H3068 make H5414 the woman H802 that is come H935 into thine house H1004 like Rachel H7354 and like Leah, H3812 which two H8147 did build H1129 the house H1004 of Israel: H3478 and do H6213 thou worthily H2428 in Ephratah, H672 and be famous H7121 H8034 in Bethlehem: H1035 And let thy house H1004 be like the house H1004 of Pharez, H6557 whom Tamar H8559 bare H3205 unto Judah, H3063 of the seed H2233 which the LORD H3068 shall give H5414 thee of this young woman. H5291 So Boaz H1162 took H3947 Ruth, H7327 and she was his wife: H802 and when he went in H935 unto her, the LORD H3068 gave H5414 her conception, H2032 and she bare H3205 a son. H1121
The kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is like G3666 unto a certain G444 king, G935 which G3748 made G4160 a marriage G1062 for his G846 son, G5207 And G2532 sent forth G649 his G846 servants G1401 to call G2564 them that were bidden G2564 to G1519 the wedding: G1062 and G2532 they would G2309 not G3756 come. G2064 Again, G3825 he sent forth G649 other G243 servants, G1401 saying, G3004 Tell G2036 them which are bidden, G2564 Behold, G2400 I have prepared G2090 my G3450 dinner: G712 my G3450 oxen G5022 and G2532 my fatlings G4619 are killed, G2380 and G2532 all things G3956 are ready: G2092 come G1205 unto G1519 the marriage. G1062 But G1161 they made light of G272 it, and went their ways, G565 one G3303 to G1519 his G2398 farm, G68 another G1161 to G1519 his G846 merchandise: G1711 And G1161 the remnant G3062 took G2902 his G846 servants, G1401 and entreated them spitefully, G5195 and G2532 slew G615 them. But G1161 when the king G935 heard G191 thereof, he was wroth: G3710 and G2532 he sent forth G3992 his G846 armies, G4753 and destroyed G622 those G1565 murderers, G5406 and G2532 burned up G1714 their G846 city. G4172 Then G5119 saith he G3004 to his G846 servants, G1401 G3303 The wedding G1062 is G2076 ready, G2092 but G1161 they which were bidden G2564 were G2258 not G3756 worthy. G514 Go ye G4198 therefore G3767 into G1909 the highways, G1327 G3598 and G2532 as many as G3745 G302 ye shall find, G2147 bid G2564 to G1519 the marriage. G1062 So G2532 those G1565 servants G1401 went out G1831 into G1519 the highways, G3598 and gathered together G4863 all G3956 as many as G3745 they found, G2147 both G5037 bad G4190 and G2532 good: G18 and G2532 the wedding G1062 was furnished G4130 with guests. G345
Then G5119 shall the kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 be likened G3666 unto ten G1176 virgins, G3933 which G3748 took G2983 their G846 lamps, G2985 and went forth G1831 to meet G529 G1519 the bridegroom. G3566 And G1161 five G4002 of G1537 them G846 were G2258 wise, G5429 and G2532 five G4002 were foolish. G3474 They G3748 that were foolish G3474 took G2983 their G846 G1438 lamps, G2985 and took G2983 no G3756 oil G1637 with G3326 them: G1438 But G1161 the wise G5429 took G2983 oil G1637 in G1722 their G846 vessels G30 with G3326 their G846 lamps. G2985 While G1161 the bridegroom G3566 tarried, G5549 they all G3956 slumbered G3573 and G2532 slept. G2518 And G1161 at midnight G3319 G3571 there was a cry G2906 made, G1096 Behold, G2400 the bridegroom G3566 cometh; G2064 go ye out G1831 to G1519 meet G529 him. G846 Then G5119 all G3956 those G1565 virgins G3933 arose, G1453 and G2532 trimmed G2885 their G846 lamps. G2985 And G1161 the foolish G3474 said G2036 unto the wise, G5429 Give G1325 us G2254 of G1537 your G5216 oil; G1637 for G3754 our G2257 lamps G2985 are gone out. G4570 But G1161 the wise G5429 answered, G611 saying, G3004 Not so; lest G3379 there be G714 not G3756 enough G714 for us G2254 and G2532 you: G5213 but G1161 go ye G4198 rather G3123 to them G4314 that sell, G4453 and G2532 buy G59 for yourselves. G1438 And G1161 while they G846 went G565 to buy, G59 the bridegroom G3566 came; G2064 and G2532 they that were ready G2092 went in G1525 with G3326 him G846 to G1519 the marriage: G1062 and G2532 the door G2374 was shut. G2808
And G2532 the third G5154 day G2250 there was G1096 a marriage G1062 in G1722 Cana G2580 of Galilee; G1056 and G2532 the mother G3384 of Jesus G2424 was G2258 there: G1563 And G1161 both G2532 Jesus G2424 was called, G2564 and G2532 his G846 disciples, G3101 to G1519 the marriage. G1062 And G2532 when they wanted G5302 wine, G3631 the mother G3384 of Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto G4314 him, G846 They have G2192 no G3756 wine. G3631 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto her, G846 Woman, G1135 what G5101 have I G1698 to do with G2532 thee? G4671 mine G3450 hour G5610 is G2240 not yet G3768 come. G2240 His G846 mother G3384 saith G3004 unto the servants, G1249 Whatsoever G3748 G302 he saith G3004 unto you, G5213 do G4160 it. And G1161 there were G2258 set G2749 there G1563 six G1803 waterpots G5201 of stone, G3035 after G2596 the manner of the purifying G2512 of the Jews, G2453 containing G5562 two G1417 or G2228 three G5140 firkins G3355 apiece. G303 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Fill G1072 the waterpots G5201 with water. G5204 And G2532 they filled G1072 them G846 up G1072 to G2193 the brim. G507 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto them, G846 Draw out G501 now, G3568 and G2532 bear G5342 unto the governor of the feast. G755 And G2532 they bare G5342 it. G1161 When G5613 the ruler of the feast G755 had tasted G1089 the water G5204 that was made G1096 wine, G3631 and G2532 knew G1492 not G3756 whence G4159 it was: G2076 (but G1161 the servants G1249 which G3588 drew G501 the water G5204 knew;) G1492 the governor of the feast G755 called G5455 the bridegroom, G3566 And G2532 saith G3004 unto him, G846 Every G3956 man G444 at the beginning G4412 doth set forth G5087 good G2570 wine; G3631 and G2532 when G3752 men have well drunk, G3184 then G5119 that which is worse: G1640 but thou G4771 hast kept G5083 the good G2570 wine G3631 until G2193 now. G737
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Genesis 29
Commentary on Genesis 29 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 29
Ge 29:1-35. The Well of Haran.
1. Then Jacob went, &c.—Hebrew, "lifted up his feet." He resumed his way next morning with a light heart and elastic step after the vision of the ladder; for tokens of the divine favor tend to quicken the discharge of duty (Ne 8:10).
and came into the land, &c.—Mesopotamia and the whole region beyond the Euphrates are by the sacred writers designated "the East" (Jud 6:3; 1Ki 4:30; Job 1:3). Between the first and the second clause of this verse is included a journey of four hundred miles.
2. And he looked, &c.—As he approached the place of his destination, he, according to custom, repaired to the well adjoining the town where he would obtain an easy introduction to his relatives.
3. thither were all the flocks gathered; and a stone, &c.—In Arabia, owing to the shifting sands and in other places, owing to the strong evaporation, the mouth of a well is generally covered, especially when it is private property. Over many is laid a broad, thick, flat stone, with a round hole cut in the middle, forming the mouth of the cistern. This hole is covered with a heavy stone which it would require two or three men to roll away. Such was the description of the well at Haran.
4. Jacob said, My brethren—Finding from the shepherds who were reposing there with flocks and who all belonged to Haran, that his relatives in Haran were well and that one of the family was shortly expected, he enquired why they were idling the best part of the day there instead of watering their flocks and sending them back to pasture.
8. They said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered—In order to prevent the consequences of too frequent exposure in places where water is scarce, the well is not only covered, but it is customary to have all the flocks collected round it before the covering is removed in presence of the owner or one of his representatives; and it was for this reason that those who were reposing at the well of Haran with the three flocks were waiting the arrival of Rachel.
9-11. While he yet spake with them, Rachel came—Among the pastoral tribes the young unmarried daughters of the greatest sheiks tend the flocks, going out at sunrise and continuing to watch their fleecy charges till sunset. Watering them, which is done twice a day, is a work of time and labor, and Jacob rendered no small service in volunteering his aid to the young shepherdess. The interview was affecting, the reception welcome, and Jacob forgot all his toils in the society of his Mesopotamian relatives. Can we doubt that he returned thanks to God for His goodness by the way?
12. Jacob told Rachel, &c.—According to the practice of the East, the term "brother" is extended to remote degrees of relationship, as uncle, cousin, or nephew.
14-20. he abode a month—Among pastoral people a stranger is freely entertained for three days; on the fourth day he is expected to tell his name and errand; and if he prolongs his stay after that time, he must set his hand to work in some way, as may be agreed upon. A similar rule obtained in Laban's establishment, and the wages for which his nephew engaged to continue in his employment was the hand of Rachel.
17. Leah tender-eyed—that is, soft blue eyes—thought a blemish.
Rachel beautiful and well-favored—that is, comely and handsome in form. The latter was Jacob's choice.
18. I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy daughter—A proposal of marriage is made to the father without the daughter being consulted, and the match is effected by the suitor either bestowing costly presents on the family, or by giving cattle to the value the father sets upon his daughter, or else by giving personal services for a specified period. The last was the course necessity imposed on Jacob; and there for seven years he submitted to the drudgery of a hired shepherd, with the view of obtaining Rachel. The time went rapidly away; for even severe and difficult duties become light when love is the spring of action.
21. Jacob said, Give me my wife—At the expiry of the stipulated term the marriage festivities were held. But an infamous fraud was practised on Jacob, and on his showing a righteous indignation, the usage of the country was pleaded in excuse. No plea of kindred should ever be allowed to come in opposition to the claim of justice. But this is often overlooked by the selfish mind of man, and fashion or custom rules instead of the will of God. This was what Laban did, as he said, "It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the first-born." But, then, if that were the prevailing custom of society at Haran, he should have apprized his nephew of it at an early period in an honorable manner. This, however, is too much the way with the people of the East still. The duty of marrying an elder daughter before a younger, the tricks which parents take to get off an elder daughter that is plain or deformed and in which they are favored by the long bridal veil that entirely conceals her features all the wedding day, and the prolongation for a week of the marriage festivities among the greater sheiks, are accordant with the habits of the people in Arabia and Armenia in the present day.
28. gave him Rachel also—It is evident that the marriage of both sisters took place nearly about the same time, and that such a connection was then allowed, though afterwards prohibited (Le 18:18).
29. gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah to be her maid—A father in good circumstances still gives his daughter from his household a female slave, over whom the young wife, independently of her husband, has the absolute control.
31. Leah … hated—that is, not loved so much as she ought to have been. Her becoming a mother ensured her rising in the estimation both of her husband and of society.
32-35. son … his name Reuben—Names were also significant; and those which Leah gave to her sons were expressive of her varying feelings of thankfulness or joy, or allusive to circumstances in the history of the family. There was piety and wisdom in attaching a signification to names, as it tended to keep the bearer in remembrance of his duty and the claims of God.