What does Genesis 29:30 mean?
Here, Jacob consummates his second marriage in a week, this time with Rachel. His prior marriage, to her older sister Leah, was the result of outrageous deception on the part of the sisters' father, Laban (Genesis 29:18–27). Now in debt for a marriage he had thought was paid for, Jacob continues his work for Laban. His apparent inaction and passivity in response to Laban's manipulation gives us a clue to Jacob's personality and character. He can't seem to stand up to Laban in any meaningful way, to the point of being married to both the man's daughters, one without his own consent.The text hardly needs to tell us that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Given the circumstances of their marriages, it would be hard to imagine anything else. It will also not surprise us when that imbalance of love between the two couples will create sibling rivalry, jealousy, and hurt feelings. At first, Leah will bear the brunt of that pain. In fact, the Lord Himself will intervene on Leah's behalf.
Genesis 29:1–30 describes Jacob's arrival at his uncle's household. Laban is happy to see his nephew, likely for the first time. Jacob falls in love with Laban's more attractive daughter, Rachel, and agrees to work for Laban seven years to marry her. On the wedding night, however, Laban treacherously switches Rachel for her older sister Leah. Jacob agrees to marry Rachel the next week, but now must work another seven years.
Jacob's journey from his home brings him to his uncle's household in Haran. He falls in love with Laban's younger daughter Rachel and agrees to work for Laban for seven years to marry her. When the time comes, Laban switches out Rachel for her older, less attractive sister Leah. Jacob is surprised to find he has consummated the marriage with the wrong sister. Manipulative Laban assures Jacob he can still marry Rachel the next week, as long as he will work another seven years. Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah, but with the Lord's help, unloved Leah bears Jacob his first four sons.
