This chapter records the conflict between Jacob's wives, Rachel and Leah. This account continues into the next chapter.
Although the exact reasoning for the shepherds' unwillingness to give water to the sheep is unknown, it is probable they were being lazy. The actions of these shepherds contrast Jacob's actions.
It was common in the ancient Near East for relatives to greet each other with a kiss. There was nothing sexual about this type of kissing.
It was customary in the ancient Near East for a man to work for a woman's father in order to earn the right to marry her. It is unknown how common it was for a father to have his younger daughter marry before an older daughter. It was also sinful for Jacob to marry more than one wife. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#sin)
This means the people of Paddan Aram, which is a land east of the land of Canaan.
The word "behold" marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. Your language may have a way of doing this.
"For from that well." This phrase marks a change from the story to background information about how the shepherds watered the flocks. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)
"the shepherds would water" or "those taking care of the sheep would water"
Here "mouth" is a way of referring to an opening. Alternate translation: "the opening of the well" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
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"Jacob said to the shepherds"
This is a polite way to greet a stranger.
Here "son" refers to a male descendant. Another possible meaning is "Laban the grandson of Nahor."
"Now look! Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep"
"the sun is still high in the sky" or "the sun is still shining brightly"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for you to gather the flocks" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
This means to gather them together inside a fence for them to stay for the night. The full meaning of this can be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
"let them eat grass in the field"
"We have to wait to water them." This has to do with timing, not permission.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "until the other shepherds gather their flocks" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
Here "mouth" is way of referring to an opening. Alternate translation: "from the well" or "from the opening of the well" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
"then we will water the sheep"
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"his uncle"
Here "mouth" is a way of referring to an opening. Alternate translation: "the well" or "the opening of the well" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
In ancient Near East, it is common to greet a relative with a kiss. However, it is normally done between men. If your language has an affectionate greeting for a relative, use that. If not, use what is appropriate.
Jacob weeps because he is so happy. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
"related to her father"
"his nephew"
"hugged him"
In ancient Near East, it is common to greet a relative with a kiss. However, it is normally done between men. If your language has an affectionate greeting for a relative, use that. If not, use what is appropriate.
"then Jacob told Laban everything he told Rachel"
This phrase means they are directly related. Alternate translation: "my relative" or "a member of my family" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
Laban uses a question to emphasize that he should pay Jacob for working for him. The question can be translated as a statement. This can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "It is certainly right that I should pay you for working for me even though you are my relative." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-litotes)
The word "now" is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Laban and his daughters. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)
Possible meanings are 1) "Leah's eyes were pretty" or 2) "Leah's eyes were plain"
Here the word "loved" refers to a romantic attraction between a man and a woman.
"rather than give her to another man"
"but the time seemed to him to be only a few days"
"on account of the love he had for her" or "because of his love for her"
The phrase "my days" refers to the seven years Jacob had to work for Laban. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for my days of working for you have been completed" or "For I have completed the length of time that I was to work for you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
This is a polite way of referring to having sexual relations with her. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 16:2. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
"prepared a wedding feast." Most likely Laban had others prepare the feast. Alternate translation: "had others prepare a wedding feast" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 16:2. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
Here the author gives background information about Laban giving Zilpah to Leah. Most likely he gave Zilpah to Leah before the wedding. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)
This is the name of Leah's female servant. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
"Jacob was surprised to see it was Leah in bed with him." The word "behold" here shows that Jacob was surprised by what he saw.
Jacob uses a question to express his anger and surprise. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I cannot believe you did this to me!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
Jacob uses these questions to express his hurt that Laban had tricked him. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "I served you for seven years to marry Rachel!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
"In our family we do not give"
"Finish celebrating Leah's bridal week"
The full meaning can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "next week we will give you Rachel also" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
"And Jacob did what Laban asked, and finished celebrating Leah's bridal week"
This is the name of Rachel's female servant. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
This is a polite way of saying that he had sexual relations with her. See how you translated a similar phrase in Genesis 16:2. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
This refers to the romantic love between a man and a woman.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Jacob did not love Leah" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
This is an exaggeration to emphasize that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. Alternate translation: "loved less than Rachel" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-hyperbole)
God causing Leah to be able to become pregnant is spoken of as if God is opening her womb. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
"was not able to become pregnant"
"Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son"
Translators may also add a footnote that says: "The name Reuben means 'See, a son.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
Leah was experiencing emotional pain because Jacob had rejected her. The abstract noun "affliction" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Yahweh saw that I was suffering" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)
"Then Leah became pregnant"
"gave birth to a son"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh has heard that my husband does not love me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Simeon means 'heard.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
"my husband will embrace me"
"I have given birth to three sons for him"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Levi means 'attached.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
"Leah became pregnant again"
"gave birth to a son"
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Judah means 'praise.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)