Gen 29

Question	Answer	Note---10-02-2016
What does east mean?	East: antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime	29:1 The land of the people of the east, is to be understood as the land of his forefathers. In this case Haran.
Why was Rachel keeping the sheep? Wasn’t this supposed to be a man’s job?	It was not uncommon for the children to tend the sheep o f the father, it was not mentioned that Laban had sons, consequently his daughter Rachel would have been the one to take care of the sheep. Maybe it was the responsibility of the younger to take care of sheep.	29:9
Why is it that Jacob rolled the stone away, and not the men that were there before?	It is possible that Rachel could have come with the last of the flock, however it is still not clear why this task was completed by Jacob, and not any of the other men. May be it was done as an attempt to impress Rachel.	29:10
Why did Jacob kiss Rachel and cry?	These may have been tears of joy, since he was sure of his union with his kin.	29:11 -12 Note that after Rebecca had left many years before there is no mention that she returned to see any of her brethren. Consequently this was a momentous occasion that the son of Rebecca would meet the daughter of Laban.
	relative, kinship, same tribe	29:12 Note brother in this verse should have been nephew. However, it is very likely that what he said was not brother but kin, or relative.
		29:13 Note the urgency with which they travelled. Just imagine how many questions Laban would have had for Jacob. Granted he had not seen his sister for many years.
		29:14 The excitement can be scarcely missed as there is a very pleasant exchange between Laban and Jacob.
		29:15 It seems the description of Leah’s eyes spanned more than the outward description. It seems she had a mental defect as well.
		29:17 Based on readings, it seems that tender eyed had nothing to do with the eyes of Leah at all. In fact it more meant that she was timid/shy. It also has the connotation of being weak-hearted, in the sense that she was afraid to see hurt come to the animals.
		29:18 This is the first request of wages that Jacob makes It is interesting that in choosing a wife, Jacob did not consult the Lord. He just saw the damsel and fell for her. 29:18
		29:23 Laban switches jacob’s wife.
	Zilpah = "a trickling" A.           the Syrian given by Laban to Leah as a handmaid, a concubine of Jacob, mother of Asher and Gad	29:27 Second wages of Jacob.
		29:27 Note that Jacob does not seem to be a hostile quarrelsome individual. Instead seems to be very humble and obedient. Even when he is wronged?
	Reuben = "behold a son"	29:32
	Simeon or Shimeon = "heard"	29:33
	Levi = "joined to"	29:34
	Judah = "praised"	29:35