[:en]Jacob arrived in Paddan Aram and met Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban, who was the brother of his mother Rebekah. When Rachel knew that he was a relative of her father, she ran and told her father. Laban embraced and kissed him and brought him to his home. Jacob worked 7 years for Laban in return for his daughter Rachel. After 7 years had completed, Laban gave Leah as his wife instead of Rachel. When Jacob confronted Laban, Laban replied and it is not their custom to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. So he promised to give him Rachel if he worked for him for another 7 years. Jacob served for a total of 14 years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
Leah was not loved but she was able to give birth to the following sons:
1. Reuben – meaning the Lord has seen my misery and my husband will love me now. (v. 32)
2. Simeon – meaning because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too. (v.33)
3. Levi – meaning now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him 3 sons, (v. 34)
4. Judah – meaning this time I will praise the Lord (v. 35)
But Rachel remained barren. (v. 31)
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