Genesis 29:14

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 29:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
Genesis 29:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Laban said to him, surely thou [art] my bone and my flesh, etc.] Nearly allied in blood, being his sister’s son: and he abode with him the space of a month; or “a month of days” f1475, a full month to a day; all this while feeding his flocks, and doing whatsoever service he had for him to do.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“29:14-30 Jacob’s joyful prospect of marriage to the lovely Rachel became an occasion for Laban’s shrewdness and Jacob’s discipline. Jacob and his mother had deceived his father and brother to gain the blessing; now his mother’s brother deceived him. Jacob received a dose of his own duplicity through twenty years of labor, affliction, and deception in Laban’s service (31:38). In God’s justice, people harvest what they plant (Gal 6:7). Laban’s deception was perfectly designed to make Jacob aware of his own craftiness. God often brings people into the lives of believers to discipline them. But Jacob was tenacious, and God blessed him abundantly with a large family and many possessions…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification