Laban appears to be basically an honorable, although also a calculating, man. The month that Jacob spent with Laban was probably more like a probational period for Jacob. Laban wanted to see, if Jacob would be worthwhile in his service. If not, then after a reasonable time of grace, he could have helped him find a place to live elsewhere, and this would have satisfied any obligation he may have felt toward his sister’s wishes. Nevertheless, during the month Laban could see that Jacob was a valuable worker and asked him what he wanted, as a wage in turn for his services (Genesis 29:15).
We are told in the text that Laban had two daughters, Leah, the elder, and Rachel, the younger (Genesis 29:16). Rachel was beautiful and pleasing to the eyes, but it is implied that Leah’s beauty lay in her eyes, vis-à-vis within her soul. Most scholars would object to this point of view, saying Leah’s eyes betrayed her weakness or lack of beauty, but I favor the view of the scholars who conclude the text is pointing out the favorable side of each daughter,[1] so Rachel’s beauty was obvious, while Leah’s lay within and had to be discovered (Genesis 29:17).
Jacob, however, loved Rachel. He told Laban that he would serve him seven years for Rachel for his wife. It is the custom of many ancient societies to prefer their daughters marry within their own kindred rather than with strangers. Alliances prove better and stronger that way. So, Laban agreed, telling Jacob to “abide with me” (rather than another), but he was a scheming man, and his agreement wasn’t very specific. He was ambiguous in the contract he made with Jacob, who was under the impression that it was a straightforward agreement (Genesis 29:18-19).
So, Jacob served out his seven years, which went by swiftly, because of his love for Rachel. However, when Jacob came asking for Rachel’s hand in marriage, Laban made a great feast, and, later on in the evening he brought Leah to Jacob, instead of Rachel. Of course, Jacob was unaware, perhaps because she was veiled or more probably because he had too much wine (Genesis 29:20-24). However, in the morning, when Jacob came to realize what was done, he went to Laban and protested his breach of contract (Genesis 29:25). Laban denied any wrongdoing, because Jacob’s desire for Rachel was a breach of cultural standard in his country. The younger daughter cannot be married before the elder. Whether or not this was true,[2] it was also a cultural standard that the elder son (viz. Esau) had a right to the elder daughter (viz. Leah) in family relationships of this kind. Albeit, the younger son also had a right to the younger daughter.[3] Therefore, Jacob was well within his right to protest.
Nevertheless, he had already consummated his marriage with Leah. To require Laban to take Leah back and give him Rachel would have been unthinkable in ancient society. Therefore, Jacob was again placed in a compromising position, having to accept a reasonable alternative from Laban, who was now his father-in-law.[4] Laban’s new proposal was to fulfill a week with his daughter Leah, and afterward he would give Jacob Rachel’s hand in marriage as well. However, Jacob would owe him an additional 7 years of service (Genesis 29:27). Jacob agreed to the addendum to his original contract by fulfilling Leah’s week, after which Laban gave Jacob Rachel’s hand in marriage (Genesis 29:28-29).
So, Jacob took Rachel as his wife, and served Laban an additional 7 years, but, according to the text, he loved Rachel more than Leah (Genesis 29:30). At first, one might wonder what’s the problem? Obviously, Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Originally, he served Laban for Rachel, not Leah. While it is true, that one can hardly help loving (emotionally) one person above another, I don’t believe this is what the text means. It is a matter of choice to prefer one person over another, vis-à-vis to treat one person better than another. One can be fair in one’s treatment of others, even when one prefers (emotionally) one over the other. I believe the text means to say Jacob treated Leah unfairly with respect to how he treated her as his wife. Moreover, it could also mean that, because Jacob preferred Rachel, she, the younger, was the female head of the household, and her elder sister had to obey or at least work with Rachel’s desires.
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[1] See Adam Clarke on Genesis 29:17.
[2] All scholars are not in agreement that Laban’s claim is true.
[3] See Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers on Genesis 29:19.
[4] It should be noted here, that it may be the Lord had allowed Jacob to be deceived, because of his own deception of Isaac in the matter of the family blessing.
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