Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Genesis 29:28
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week, etc.] The week of the days of the feast of Leah, as the Targum of Jonathan adds; he agreed to it; during which time he cohabited with Leah as his wife, and which confirmed the marriage: how justifiable this was, must be left. The marrying of two sisters was forbidden by the law of Moses, (<031818>Leviticus 18:18); and polygamy was not allowed of in later times, and yet both were dispensed with in times preceding; and there seems to be an overruling Providence in this affair, which oftentimes brings good out of evil, since the Messiah was to spring from Leah, and not Rachel; (see Gill on “<012935>Genesis 29:35”); and having more wives than one, and concubines also, seems to be permitted for this reason, that Jacob might have a numerous progeny, as it was promised he should: and indeed Jacob was under some necessity of marrying both sisters, since the one was ignorantly defiled by him, and the other was his wife by espousal and contract; and though he had served seven years for her, he could not have her without consenting to marry the other, and fulfilling her week, and serving seven years more; to such hard terms was he obliged by an unkind uncle, in a strange country, and destitute: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also; not after seven years’ service, as Josephus f1483 thinks, but after the seven days of feasting for Leah; though on condition of the above service, as appears from various circumstances related before the seven years’ service could be completed; as his going in to Rachel, (<012930>Genesis 29:30); her envying the fruitfulness of her sister, (<013001>Genesis 30:1); giving Bilhah her handmaid unto him, (<013003>Genesis 30:3); and the whole series of the context, and life of Jacob.
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