Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Genesis 29
son. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), put for grandson. Compare Genesis 24:15. In Genesis 29:12 Jacob calls himself the "brother" of Laban by the same Figure of speech
Lo. Figure of speech Asterismos, App-6, giving life to the scene.
her father's sheep. Shepherds usually slaves, younger sons, or daughters. Compare David, 1 Samuel 17:13-15. Exodus 2:16, Exodus 2:17. Note exception. Genesis 37:14, and reason.
space of a month. Hebrew a month of days, i.e., by Figure of speech Hypallage, the days of a month. Compare Numbers 11:20.
tender = weak.
beautiful = comely in form. Compare Genesis 39:6.
well favoured = comely in countenance.
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. To call attention to the fact that he was deceived, as he had deceived Isaac (Genesis 27).
her, i.e. Leah's week.
he gave him Rachel. A popular mistake to suppose that Jacob did not marry Rachel till the end of the second seven years, for in the first seven were born seven sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, and Joseph. In the second seven: Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulon, and Dinah.
LORD. Jehovah used with the five sons (Genesis 29:31-35 and Genesis 30:24). Elohim is used with six (Genesis 30:2, Genesis 30:6, Genesis 30:17, Genesis 30:18, Genesis 30:20, Genesis 30:23). No title used with Benjamin (Genesis 35:16-18). All were in pairs. Two pairs from Leah, one pair from Bilhah, one from Zilpah, one from Leah, one from Rachel.
hated. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, by which love and hate are put for the esteem or neglect, caused by love and hate = less loved, Deuteronomy 21:15. Matthew 6:24.
Reuben. Hebrew. behold a son. For the various orders of the 12 tribes, see App-45.
heard. Hebrew. sham"a (heard).
Simeon. Hebrew. Shime"on (hearing). Figure of speech Paronomasia.
joined. Hebrew. yillaveh (joined).
Was his name called. Hebrew she called his name, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint. Error due to neglected abbreviation in primitive Hebrew text. Figure of speech Paronomasia. App-6.
Levi. Hebrew. Levi (joiner).
praise. Hebrew. "odeh (I shall, or. Let me praise); ye hudah (he shall be praised). Compare Genesis 49:8. Figure of speech Paronomasia.
left: i.e. for a time.
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