Genesis 29
Commentary from 6 fathers
AND Jacob started and went to the land of the east to Laban, the son of Bathuel the Syrian, and the brother of Rebecca, mother of Jacob and Esau.
ΚΑΙ ἐξάρας ᾿Ιακὼβ τοὺς πόδας ἐπορεύθη εἰς γῆν ἀνατολῶν πρὸς Λάβαν τὸν υἱὸν Βαθουὴλ τοῦ Σύρου, ἀδελφὸν δὲ Ρεβέκκας μητρὸς ᾿Ιακὼβ καὶ ῾Ησαῦ.
И҆ воста́въ і҆а́кѡвъ на но́зѣ, и҆́де въ зе́млю восто́чнꙋю къ лава́нꙋ сы́нꙋ ваѳꙋи́ла сѵ́рїна, бра́тꙋ же реве́кки ма́тере і҆а́кѡвли и҆ и҆са́ѵли.
And he looks, and behold! a well in the plain; and there were there three flocks of sheep resting at it, for out of that well they watered the flocks, but there was a great stone at the mouth of the well.
καὶ ὁρᾷ καὶ ἰδοὺ φρέαρ ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ, ἦσαν δὲ ἐκεῖ τρία ποίμνια προβάτων ἀναπαυόμενα ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ· ἐκ γὰρ τοῦ φρέατος ἐκείνου ἐπότιζον τὰ ποίμνια, λίθος δὲ ἦν μέγας ἐπὶ τῷ στόματι τοῦ φρέατος,
Оу҆зрѣ́ же, и҆ сѐ, кла́дѧзь на по́ли: и҆ бѧ́хꙋ та́мѡ трѝ ста̑да ѻ҆ве́цъ, почива́юще при не́мъ: ѿ тогѡ́ бо кла́дѧзѧ напаѧ́хꙋсѧ стада̀. Ка́мень же ве́лїй бѧ́ше над̾ ᲂу҆́стїемъ кла́дѧзѧ.
And there were all the flocks gathered, and they used to roll away the stone from the mouth of the well, and water the flocks, and set the stone again in its place on the mouth of the well.
καὶ συνήγοντο ἐκεῖ πάντα τὰ ποίμνια καὶ ἀπεκύλιον τὸν λίθον ἀπὸ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ φρέατος καὶ ἐπότιζον τὰ πρόβατα καὶ ἀποκαθίστων τὸν λίθον ἐπὶ τὸ στόμα τοῦ φρέατος εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ.
И҆ собира́хꙋсѧ та́мѡ всѧ̑ стада̀: и҆ ѿвалѧ́хꙋ ка́мень ѿ ᲂу҆́стїѧ кла́дѧзѧ и҆ напаѧ́хꙋ ѻ҆́вцы: и҆ па́ки полага́хꙋ ка́мень на ᲂу҆́стїи кла́дѧзѧ на мѣ́стѣ свое́мъ.
And Jacob said to them, Brethren, whence are ye? and they said, We are of Charrhan.
εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς ᾿Ιακώβ· ἀδελφοί, πόθεν ἐστὲ ὑμεῖς; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· ἐκ Χαρρὰν ἐσμέν.
Рече́ же и҆̀мъ і҆а́кѡвъ: бра́тїѧ, ѿкꙋ́дꙋ є҆стѐ вы̀; Ѻ҆ни́ же рѣ́ша: ѿ харра́на є҆смы̀.
And he said to them, Know ye Laban, the son of Nachor? and they said, We do know [him].
εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· γινώσκετε Λάβαν τὸν υἱὸν Ναχώρ; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· γινώσκομεν.
Рече́ же и҆̀мъ: зна́ете ли лава́на сы́на нахѡ́рова; Ѻ҆ни́ же рѣ́ша: зна́емъ.
And he said to them, Is he well? And they said, He is well. And behold Rachel his daughter came with the sheep.
εἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς· ὑγιαίνει; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· ὑγιαίνει. καὶ ἰδοὺ Ραχὴλ ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτοῦ ἤρχετο μετὰ τῶν προβάτων.
Рече́ же и҆̀мъ: здра́вствꙋетъ ли; Ѻ҆ни́ же рѣ́ша: здра́вствꙋетъ. И҆ сѐ, рахи́ль дщѝ є҆гѡ̀ и҆дѧ́ше со ѻ҆вца́ми.
And Jacob said, it is yet high day, it is not yet time that the flocks be gathered together; water ye the flocks, and depart and feed them.
καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ιακώβ· ἔτι ἐστὶν ἡμέρα πολλή, οὔπω ὥρα συναχθῆναι τὰ κτήνη· ποτίσαντες τὰ πρόβατα ἀπελθόντες βόσκετε.
И҆ речѐ і҆а́кѡвъ: є҆щѐ є҆́сть днѐ мно́гѡ, не ᲂу҆̀ ча́съ собира́ти скота̀: напои́вше ѻ҆́вцы, ше́дше паси́те.
And they said, We shall not be able, until all the shepherds be gathered together, and they shall roll away the stone from the mouth of the well, then we will water the flocks.
οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· οὐ δυνησόμεθα ἕως τοῦ συναχθῆναι πάντας τοὺς ποιμένας, καὶ ἀποκυλίσουσι τὸν λίθον ἀπὸ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ φρέατος, καὶ ποτιοῦμεν τὰ πρόβατα.
Ѻ҆ни́ же рѣ́ша: не мо́жемъ, до́ндеже соберꙋ́тсѧ всѝ пастꙋсѝ и҆ ѿвалѧ́тъ ка́мень ѿ ᲂу҆́стїѧ кла́дѧзѧ, и҆ напои́мъ ѻ҆́вцы.
While he was yet speaking to them, behold, Rachel the daughter of Laban came with her father's sheep, for she fed the sheep of her father.
ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος αὐτοῖς καὶ ἰδοὺ Ραχὴλ ἡ θυγάτηρ Λάβαν ἤρχετο μετὰ τῶν προβάτων τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῆς· αὐτὴ γὰρ ἔβοσκε τὰ πρόβατα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῆς.
Є҆щѐ є҆мꙋ̀ глаго́лющꙋ къ ни̑мъ, и҆ сѐ, рахи́ль дщѝ лава́нѧ грѧдѧ́ше со ѻ҆вца́ми ѻ҆тца̀ своегѡ̀: ѻ҆на́ бо пасѧ́ше ѻ҆́вцы ѻ҆тца̀ своегѡ̀.
And it came to pass when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother, that Jacob came and rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well, and watered the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother.
ἐγένετο δέ, ὡς εἶδεν ᾿Ιακὼβ τὴν Ραχὴλ τὴν θυγατέρα Λάβαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ πρόβατα Λάβαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ προσελθὼν ᾿Ιακὼβ ἀπεκύλισε τὸν λίθον ἀπὸ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ φρέατος καὶ ἐπότιζε τὰ πρόβατα Λάβαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ.
Бы́сть же ꙗ҆́кѡ ᲂу҆зрѣ̀ і҆а́кѡвъ рахи́ль дще́рь лава́на бра́та ма́тере своеѧ̀ и҆ ѻ҆́вцы лава́на бра́та ма́тере своеѧ̀, и҆ пристꙋпи́въ і҆а́кѡвъ ѿвалѝ ка́мень ѿ ᲂу҆́стїѧ кла́дѧзѧ:
And he told Rachel that he was the near relative of her father, and the son of Rebecca; and she ran and reported to her father according to these words.
καὶ ἀπήγγειλε τῇ Ραχήλ, ὅτι ἀδελφὸς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῆς ἐστι καὶ ὅτι υἱὸς Ρεβέκκας ἐστί, καὶ δραμοῦσα ἀπήγγειλε τῷ πατρὶ αὐτῆς κατὰ τά ρήματα ταῦτα.
и҆ повѣ́да рахи́ли, ꙗ҆́кѡ бра́тъ ѻ҆тца̀ є҆ѧ̀ є҆́сть и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ сы́нъ реве́ккинъ є҆́сть. И҆ те́кши повѣ́да ѻ҆тцꙋ̀ своемꙋ̀ по словесє́мъ си̑мъ.
And it came to pass when Laban heard the name of Jacob, his sister's son, he ran to meet him, and embraced and kissed him, and brought him into his house; and he told Laban all these sayings.
ἐγένετο δέ, ὡς ἤκουσε Λάβαν τὸ ὄνομα ᾿Ιακὼβ τοῦ υἱοῦ τῆς ἀδελφῆς αὐτοῦ, ἔδραμεν εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῷ καὶ περιλαβὼν αὐτὸν ἐφίλησε καὶ εἰσήγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. καὶ διηγήσατο τῷ Λάβαν πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους.
Бы́сть же ꙗ҆́кѡ ᲂу҆слы́ша лава́нъ и҆́мѧ і҆а́кѡва сы́на сестры̀ своеѧ̀, течѐ во срѣ́тенїе є҆мꙋ̀ и҆ ѡ҆б̾е́мь є҆го̀ лобза̀, и҆ введѐ є҆го̀ въ до́мъ сво́й. И҆ повѣ́да лава́нꙋ всѧ̑ словеса̀ сїѧ̑.
And Laban said to him, Thou art of my bones and of my flesh; and he was with him a full month.
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Λάβαν· ἐκ τῶν ὀστῶν μου καὶ ἐκ τῆς σαρκός μου εἶ σύ. καὶ ἦν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ μῆνα ἡμερῶν.
И҆ речѐ є҆мꙋ̀ лава́нъ: ѿ косте́й мои́хъ и҆ ѿ пло́ти моеѧ̀ є҆сѝ ты̀. И҆ бѣ̀ съ ни́мъ мѣ́сѧцъ дні́й.
And Laban said to Jacob, Surely thou shalt not serve me for nothing, because thou art my brother; tell me what thy reward is to be.
Εἶπε δὲ Λάβαν τῷ ᾿Ιακώβ· ὅτι γὰρ ἀδελφός μου εἶ, οὐ δουλεύσεις μοι δωρεάν· ἀπάγγειλόν μοι, τίς ὁ μισθός σου ἐστί;
Рече́ же лава́нъ і҆а́кѡвꙋ: поне́же бра́тъ мо́й є҆сѝ ты̀, да не порабо́таеши мнѣ̀ тꙋ́не: повѣ́ждь мѝ, что̀ мзда̀ твоѧ̀ є҆́сть;
Notice, I ask you, how when someone is helped by the hand from on high, everything goes favorably for him. “You shall not serve me for nothing,” Laban says. “Tell me what your wages should be.” In fact, this blessed man was acting out of love and was content simply to receive board and lodging and return him sincere thanks for it. But, since Jacob demonstrated great humility, Laban took the initiative in promising to pay him whatever wage he named.
Homilies on Genesis 55.6
Now Laban had two daughters, the name of the elder was Lea, and the name of the younger, Rachel.
τῷ δὲ Λάβαν ἦσαν δύο θυγατέρες, ὄνομα τῇ μείζονι Λεία, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ νεωτέρᾳ Ραχήλ.
Оу҆ лава́на же бѣ́стѣ двѣ̀ дщє́ри: и҆́мѧ старѣ́йшей лі́а, и҆́мѧ же ю҆нѣ́йшей рахи́ль.
And the eyes of Lea were weak. But Rachel was beautiful in appearance, and exceedingly fair in countenance.
οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ Λείας ἀσθενεῖς, Ραχὴλ δὲ ἦν καλὴ τῷ εἴδει καὶ ὡραία τῇ ὄψει σφόδρα.
Ѻ҆́чи же лі̑ины болѣ́знєнны: рахи́ль же бѣ̀ добра̀ ви́домъ и҆ красна̀ взо́ромъ ѕѣлѡ̀.
And Jacob loved Rachel, and said, I will serve thee seven years for thy younger daughter Rachel.
ἠγάπησε δὲ ᾿Ιακὼβ τὴν Ραχὴλ καὶ εἶπε· δουλεύσω σοι ἑπτὰ ἔτη περὶ Ραχὴλ τῆς θυγατρός σου τῆς νεωτέρας.
Возлюби́ же і҆а́кѡвъ рахи́ль. И҆ речѐ: порабо́таю тебѣ̀ се́дмь лѣ́тъ за рахи́ль дще́рь твою̀ ме́ньшꙋю.
See in this case too, I ask you, his keen discernment and how he had no desire for accumulating money. Far from haggling with Laban in the manner of a hireling and demanding something more, Jacob remembered his mother and his father’s directions and showed his extraordinary meekness in saying, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” You see, on seeing her from the outset at the well, he fell in love with her. See the man’s right attitude: He sets a time for himself and by means of this period of years he provides himself with an adequate incentive for his own continence. Why are you surprised, dearly beloved, that he promised to serve seven years for the maiden he loved? To show, in fact, how his great love reduced the labor and the period of time, sacred Scripture says, “Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and in his eyes they were but a few days when measured against his love for her.” The period of seven years, it is saying, was counted but a few days because of his surpassing love for the maiden. You see, when someone is smitten with love’s desire, far from seeing any problem, he easily puts up with everything, albeit fraught with danger and much difficulty besides, having in view one thing only—obtaining the object of his desire.
Homilies on Genesis 55.7
And Laban said to him, [It is] better that I should give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man; dwell with me.
εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ Λάβαν· βέλτιον δοῦναί με αὐτήν σοι, ἢ δοῦναί με αὐτὴν ἀνδρὶ ἑτέρῳ· οἴκησον μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ.
Рече́ же є҆мꙋ̀ лава́нъ: лꙋ́чше мѝ тебѣ̀ да́ти ю҆̀, не́жели и҆но́мꙋ ѿда́ти мꙋ́жеви: со мно́ю живѝ.
And Jacob served for Rachel seven years, and they were before him as a few days, by reason of his loving her.
καὶ ἐδούλευσεν ᾿Ιακὼβ περὶ Ραχὴλ ἑπτὰ ἔτη, καὶ ἦσαν ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ὡς ἡμέραι ὀλίγαι, παρὰ τὸ ἀγαπᾷν αὐτὸν αὐτήν.
И҆ рабо́та і҆а́кѡвъ за рахи́ль се́дмь лѣ́тъ: и҆ бы́ша пред̾ ни́мъ ꙗ҆́кѡ ма̑лы дни̑, зане́же любѧ́ше ю҆̀.
And Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.
εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ιακὼβ τῷ Λάβαν· δός μοι τὴν γυναῖκά μου, πεπλήρωνται γὰρ αἱ ἡμέραι, ὅπως εἰσέλθω πρὸς αὐτήν.
Рече́ же і҆а́кѡвъ лава́нꙋ: да́ждь мѝ женꙋ̀ мою̀, поне́же соверши́шасѧ дні́е, да вни́дꙋ къ не́й.
And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a marriage-feast.
συνήγαγε δὲ Λάβαν πάντας τοὺς ἄνδρας τοῦ τόπου καὶ ἐποίησε γάμον.
Собра́ же лава́нъ всѧ̑ мꙋ́жы мѣ́ста тогѡ̀, и҆ сотворѝ бра́къ.
And it was even, and he took his daughter Lea, and brought her in to Jacob, and Jacob went in to her.
καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα, καὶ λαβὼν Λείαν τὴν θυγατέρα αὐτοῦ εἰσήγαγε πρὸς ᾿Ιακὼβ καὶ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς αὐτὴν ᾿Ιακώβ.
И҆ бы́сть ве́черъ, и҆ пое́мь лава́нъ лі́ю дще́рь свою̀, введѐ ко і҆а́кѡвꙋ: и҆ вни́де къ не́й і҆а́кѡвъ.
Do you see with how much solemnity they conducted weddings in ancient times? Take heed, you who are swept up in the excitement of satanic rituals and besmirch the solemnity of marriage at its very beginnings. Surely there’s no place for flutes? Surely there’s no place for cymbals? Surely there’s no place for satanic dances? Why is it, tell me, that you introduce such a nuisance into the house and call in people from the stage and the theater so as to undermine the girl’s chastity with this regrettable expenditure and make the young person shameless?
Homilies on Genesis 56.2
Don’t idly pass by this sentence, either. Much can be understood from it. [First], there is Jacob’s simplicity in being deceived through his own ignorance of any wickedness; second, the fact that everything was conducted with such extreme decorum, no unnecessary display of lamps and dancers and torches, that Laban’s deception took effect. It is possible, however, to learn from this incident Laban’s affection for Jacob. You see, his purpose in devising this scheme was to keep the good man with him longer. I mean, he realized that Jacob was madly in love with one daughter and that, had he attained the object of his desire, he would then not have chosen to undergo servitude for the sake of Leah or reside with Laban. Hence, seeing Jacob’s virtue and realizing that he would not otherwise get the better of him or persuade him, he had recourse to this deception and gave him Leah with her maidservant Zilpah.
Homilies on Genesis 56.10
And Laban gave to his daughter Lea, Zelpha his handmaid, as a handmaid for her.
ἔδωκε δὲ Λάβαν Λείᾳ τῇ θυγατρὶ αὐτοῦ Ζελφὰν τὴν παιδίσκην αὐτοῦ αὐτῇ παιδίσκην.
Даде́ же лава́нъ лі́и дще́ри свое́й зе́лфꙋ рабы́ню свою̀, є҆́й въ рабꙋ̀.
And it was morning, and behold it was Lea; and Jacob said to Laban, What is this that thou hast done to me? did I not serve thee for Rachel? and wherefore hast thou deceived me?
ἐγένετο δὲ πρωΐ, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἦν Λεία. εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ιακὼβ τῷ Λάβαν· τί τοῦτο ἐποίησάς μοι; οὐ περὶ Ραχὴλ ἐδούλευσα παρὰ σοί; καὶ ἱνατί παρελογίσω με;
Бы́сть же заꙋ́тра, и҆ сѐ, бѧ́ше лі́а, и҆ речѐ і҆а́кѡвъ лава́нꙋ: что̀ сїѐ сотвори́лъ мѝ є҆сѝ; не рахи́ли ли ра́ди рабо́тахъ ᲂу҆ тебє̀; вскꙋ́ю же ѡ҆би́дѣлъ мѧ̀ є҆сѝ;
And Laban answered, It is not done thus in our country, to give the younger before the elder.
ἀπεκρίθη δὲ Λάβαν· οὐκ ἔστιν οὕτως ἐν τῷ τόπῳ ἡμῶν, δοῦναι τὴν νεωτέραν πρὶν ἢ τὴν πρεσβυτέραν·
Ѿвѣща́ же лава́нъ: нѣ́сть та́кѡ въ на́шемъ мѣ́стѣ вда́ти ме́ньшꙋю пре́жде старѣ́йшїѧ.
Fulfil then her sevens, and I will give to thee her also in return for thy labour, which thou labourest with me, yet seven other years.
συντέλεσον οὖν τὰ ἕβδομα ταύτης, καὶ δώσω σοι καὶ ταύτην ἀντὶ τῆς ἐργασίας, ἧς ἐργᾷ παρ᾿ ἐμοί, ἔτι ἑπτὰ ἔτη ἕτερα.
Сконча́й ᲂу҆̀бо седми̑ны сеѧ̀, и҆ да́мъ тѝ и҆ сїю̀ за дѣ́ло, є҆́же дѣ́лаеши ᲂу҆ менє̀ є҆щѐ се́дмь лѣ́тъ дрꙋгі̑ѧ.
(Chapter 29, Verse 27) Complete therefore this week, and I will give you this also. After Jacob was deceived by Laban and took Rachel as his wife instead of Leah, it is said that Laban told him to fulfill seven days after the wedding of the first sister, and then he could have Rachel, for whom he would serve another seven years. Therefore, contrary to what some think, Rachel did not become Jacob's wife after another seven years, but after seven days from the wedding of the first wife. And afterward he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. (Gen. XXIX, 30).
Hebrew Questions on Genesis
And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her sevens; and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to wife.
ἐποίησε δὲ ᾿Ιακὼβ οὕτως καὶ ἀνεπλήρωσε τὰ ἕβδομα ταύτης, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ Λάβαν Ραχὴλ τὴν θυγατέρα αὐτοῦ αὐτῷ γυναῖκα.
Сотвори́ же і҆а́кѡвъ та́кѡ: и҆ и҆спо́лни седми̑ны сеѧ̀: и҆ дадѐ є҆мꙋ̀ лава́нъ рахи́ль дще́рь свою̀ є҆мꙋ̀ въ женꙋ̀.
You observe once again that the nuptials were conducted with all seemliness. Don’t be disturbed, however, to hear that he married the elder girl and then the younger or judge happenings in those times by present conditions. In those times, you see, since it was the very beginning, people were allowed to live with two or three wives or more so as to increase the race; now, on the contrary, because through God’s grace the human race has expanded into a vast number, the practice of virtue has also increased. I mean, Christ by his coming has sown the seeds of virtue among human beings and turned them into angels, so to say, thus rooting out all that former practice. Do you see how we should not be proposing that practice but rather seek out everywhere what is useful? Take note. Since the practice itself was evil, see how it has been rooted out, and no one is free now to propose it. Consequently I beseech you, far from seeking to adopt it in any way, search rather for what is useful, not what is spiritually harmful. If something good comes our way, even if it is not general practice, let us adopt it; but if it is harmful, even if general practice, let us avoid and turn away from it.
Homilies on Genesis 56.12
And Laban gave to his daughter his handmaid Balla, for a handmaid to her.
ἔδωκε δὲ Λάβαν τῇ θυγατρὶ αὐτοῦ Βαλλὰν τὴν παιδίσκην αὐτοῦ αὐτῇ παιδίσκην.
Даде́ же лава́нъ рахи́ли дще́ри свое́й ва́ллꙋ рабꙋ̀ свою̀, є҆́й въ рабꙋ̀.
And he went in to Rachel; and he loved Rachel more than Lea; and he served him seven other years.
καὶ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς Ραχήλ· ἠγάπησε δὲ Ραχὴλ μᾶλλον ἢ Λείαν· καὶ ἐδούλευσεν αὐτῷ ἑπτὰ ἔτη ἕτερα.
И҆ вни́де (і҆а́кѡвъ) къ рахи́ли: возлюби́ же рахи́ль па́че, не́же лі́ю: и҆ рабо́та є҆мꙋ̀ се́дмь лѣ́тъ дрꙋгі̑ѧ.
In that journey Jacob took two wives, and those two wives prefigured the two people of the Jews and the Gentiles. For at Christ’s coming not a small number even of the Jewish people are read to have believed in him, and again in the Acts of the Apostles there is recorded the fact that on one day three thousand people believed, on another day five thousand and afterward many thousands more. The Lord himself in the Gospel confirms the fact that Jews and Gentiles believed in Christ when he said, “And other sheep I have that are not of this fold. I must also bring them, so that there may be one fold and one shepherd.” Therefore those two women who were married to blessed Jacob, that is, Leah and Rachel, prefigured those two people: Leah the Jews and Rachel the Gentiles. Like a cornerstone Christ is joined to those two people, like two walls coming from different directions. In him they have kissed, and in him they have merited to find eternal peace, as the apostle says, “For he himself is our peace, he it is who has made both one.” How did he make both one? By uniting the two flocks and connecting the two walls to himself.
Sermon 88.2
And when the Lord God saw that Lea was hated, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.
᾿Ιδὼν δὲ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὅτι ἐμισεῖτο Λεία, ἤνοιξε τὴν μήτραν αὐτῆς· Ραχὴλ δὲ ἦν στεῖρα·
Ви́дѣвъ же гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ ненави́дима бѧ́ше лі́а, ѿве́рзе ложесна̀ є҆ѧ̀: рахи́ль же бѧ́ше непло́ды.
See God’s creative wisdom. Whereas one woman by her beauty attracted her husband’s favor, the other seemed to be rejected because she lacked it. But it was the latter God awoke to childbirth while leaving the other’s womb inactive. He thus dealt with each in his characteristic love so that one might have some comfort from what was born of her and the other might not triumph over her sister on the score of charm and beauty.
Homilies on Genesis 56.14
And Lea conceived and bore a son to Jacob; and she called his name, Ruben; saying, Because the Lord has looked on my humiliation, and has given me a son, now then my husband will love me.
καὶ συνέλαβε Λεία καὶ ἔτεκεν υἱὸν τῷ ᾿Ιακώβ· ἐκάλεσε δὲ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ρουβὴν λέγουσα· διότι εἶδέ μου Κύριος τὴν ταπείνωσιν, καὶ ἔδωκέ μοι υἱόν· νῦν οὖν ἀγαπήσει με ὁ ἀνήρ μου.
И҆ зача́тъ лі́а и҆ родѝ сы́на і҆а́кѡвꙋ: нарече́ же и҆́мѧ є҆мꙋ̀ рꙋви́мъ, глаго́лѧ: ꙗ҆́кѡ призрѣ̀ гдⷭ҇ь на моѐ смире́нїе и҆ даде́ ми сы́на: нн҃ѣ ᲂу҆̀бо возлю́битъ мѧ̀ мꙋ́жъ мо́й.
Reuben was the firstborn of those born after him, and their resemblance to him bore witness to their relationship to him, so that their brotherhood was not unrecognized, being testified to by the similarity of appearance. Therefore, if through the same rebirth “by water and the spirit,” we also have become brothers of the Lord, he having become for us “the firstborn among the many brothers,” it follows that our nearness to him will show in the character of our life, because “the firstborn of every creature” has informed our life. But what have we learned from the Scripture about the character of his life? What we have said many times: that “he committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth.” Therefore, if we are going to act as brothers of the One who gave us birth, the sinlessness of our life will be a pledge of our relationship to him, and no filth will nullify our union with his purity. But the firstborn is also justice and holiness and love and redemption and such things. So if our life is characterized by such qualities, we furnish clear tokens of our noble birth, and anyone, seeing these qualities in our life, will bear witness to our brotherhood with Christ.
On Perfection
(Verse 32.) And she conceived and bore a son, and called his name Reuben. I desire to also mention the etymologies of the names of all the patriarchs for the sake of brevity in reading.
And he called, he said, his name is Ruben, saying: Because the Lord has seen my humility. Ruben () is interpreted as the son of vision.
Hebrew Questions on Genesis
And she conceived again, and bore a second son to Jacob; and she said, Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given to me this one also; and she called his name, Simeon.
καὶ συνέλαβε πάλιν καὶ ἔτεκεν υἱὸν δεύτερον τῷ ᾿Ιακὼβ καὶ εἶπεν· ὅτι ἤκουσε Κύριος ὅτι μισοῦμαι, καὶ προσέδωκέ μοι καὶ τοῦτον· ἐκάλεσε δὲ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Συμεών·
И҆ зача́тъ па́ки лі́а и҆ родѝ сы́на втора́го і҆а́кѡвꙋ и҆ речѐ: занѐ ᲂу҆слы́ша гдⷭ҇ь, ꙗ҆́кѡ ненави́дима є҆́смь, и҆ придаде́ ми и҆ сего̀. И҆ наречѐ и҆́мѧ є҆мꙋ̀ сѷмеѡ́нъ.
(Verse 33.) And she conceived, he said, another son and said: Because the Lord has heard me, since my husband hated me, and also gave me this one: and she called his name Simeon. From the fact that she was heard, she gave him the name Simeon. For Simeon indeed means hearing. But from the third, it follows:
Hebrew Questions on Genesis
And she conceived yet again, and bore a son, and said, In the present time my husband will be with me, for I have born him three sons; therefore she called his name, Levi.
καὶ συνέλαβεν ἔτι καὶ ἔτεκεν υἱὸν καὶ εἶπεν· ἐν τῷ νῦν καιρῷ πρὸς ἐμοῦ ἔσται ὁ ἀνήρ μου, τέτοκα γὰρ αὐτῷ τρεῖς υἱούς· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Λευεί.
И҆ зача́тъ є҆щѐ и҆ родѝ сы́на и҆ речѐ: въ нн҃ѣшнее вре́мѧ ᲂу҆ менє̀ бꙋ́детъ мꙋ́жъ мо́й, роди́хъ бо є҆мꙋ̀ трѝ сы́ны. Сегѡ̀ ра́ди наречѐ и҆́мѧ є҆мꙋ̀ леѵі́й.
(Verse 34) And she conceived again, and bore a son, and said: Now my husband will be with me, because I have borne him three sons: therefore she called his name Levi. When we read, 'My husband will be with me,' Aquila interpreted it as, 'My husband will be attached to me,' which is the Hebrew word (), Illave. And among the Hebrew doctors, it is translated differently, so that they say, 'My husband will follow me,' that is, I have no doubt about the love of my husband for me: he will be my companion in this life, and his affection will lead me to death, and he will follow me: for I have borne him three sons.
Hebrew Questions on Genesis
And having conceived yet again, she bore a son, and said, Now yet again this time will I give thanks to the Lord; therefore she called his name, Juda; and ceased bearing.
καὶ συλλαβοῦσα ἔτι ἔτεκεν υἱὸν καὶ εἶπε· νῦν ἔτι τοῦτο ἐξομολογήσομαι τῷ Κυρίῳ· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκάλεσε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Ιούδαν. καὶ ἔστη τοῦ τίκτειν.
И҆ заче́нши є҆щѐ родѝ сы́на и҆ речѐ: нн҃ѣ є҆щѐ сїѐ и҆сповѣ́мъ гдⷭ҇ꙋ. Сегѡ̀ ра́ди наречѐ и҆́мѧ є҆мꙋ̀ і҆ꙋ́да, и҆ преста̀ ражда́ти.
(Verse 35.) And she conceived and bore a son, and she said: Now I will confess to the Lord, and for this reason she called his name Judah. Judah means confession. Therefore, the name confession is derived from the confession. However, here confession is understood as thanksgiving or praise, as often in the Psalms and in the Gospel (Matthew 11:25): I will confess to you, Lord, Father of heaven and earth, that is, I thank you or glorify you.
Hebrew Questions on Genesis
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and cried with a loud voice and wept.
καὶ ἐφίλησεν ᾿Ιακὼβ τὴν Ραχήλ· καὶ βοήσας τῇ φωνῇ αὐτοῦ ἔκλαυσε.
и҆ напоѝ ѻ҆́вцы лава́на бра́та ма́тере своеѧ̀, и҆ цѣлова̀ і҆а́кѡвъ рахи́ль, и҆ возопи́въ гла́сомъ свои́мъ, воспла́касѧ: