Jacobיַעֲקֹב
Ya'aqov · Hebrew Proper Noun
The son of Isaac and Rebekah, chosen by God to inherit the covenant promises made to Abraham. His life represents the transformation of a deceiver into a man of God, characterized by struggle and eventual reconciliation.
landאֶרֶץ
'erets · Hebrew Noun
A place of habitation or territory belonging to a specific people group or nation. In Scripture, it often refers to land promised by God, a region of habitation, or the physical earth as a created domain.
wellבְּאֵר
be'er · Hebrew Noun
A hole dug in the ground to reach an underground source of water. In the arid biblical landscape, wells were essential for survival, sites of significant social encounter, and often symbolic of God's provision or life-giving grace.
flocksעֵדֶר
'eder · Hebrew Noun
A collection of livestock, primarily sheep or goats, kept for economic sustenance. In the Bible, flocks are frequently used metaphors for God’s people, with the Lord depicted as the Shepherd who leads and cares for them.
stoneאֶבֶן
'eben · Hebrew Noun
A hard mineral substance often used for building, memorials, or defensive walls. Symbolically, it can represent strength, stability, and endurance, or conversely, hard-heartedness, though it frequently appears as an object of divine work (e.g., the cornerstone).
shepherdsרֹעֶה
ro'eh · Hebrew Noun
One who tends, guards, and provides for a flock. Biblically, the title is applied to human leaders of Israel, but primarily to God Himself, emphasizing His role as Protector, Provider, and Guide.
brothersאָח
'ach · Hebrew Noun
A term of kinship used for immediate siblings, relatives, or fellow members of the covenant community. It emphasizes unity, loyalty, and common identity, and is sometimes used to denote any fellow human being.
is it wellשָׁלוֹם
shalom · Hebrew Noun
In biblical usage, this is a greeting or inquiry concerning the peace, prosperity, welfare, or health of a person, often encompassing complete well-being and favor.
Beholdהֵן
hen · Hebrew Interjection
Commonly used in the Old Testament to draw attention to something significant, often used to introduce a statement or to emphasize the importance of what follows.
livestockמִקְנֶה
miqneh · Hebrew Noun
Domesticated animals kept for use or profit, often representing the wealth and livelihood of an individual or family in a pastoral society.
waterשָׁקָה
shaqah · Hebrew Verb
The act of giving water to animals, which in the arid Near East was a vital and labor-intensive communal duty essential for the survival of the flocks.
pastureרָעָה
ra'ah · Hebrew Verb
The practice of feeding livestock by leading them to graze on grass or vegetation, fundamental to the nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyle described in the patriarchal narratives.
flocksעֵדֶר
'eder · Hebrew Noun
In this context, it refers to the collective group of sheep or goats owned by a person; frequently used in the Bible as a metaphor for God's people under His care.
stoneאֶבֶן
'eben · Hebrew Noun
A significant rock used to cover the opening of a well to keep the water clean, prevent evaporation, and control access; it often symbolized a barrier that required communal effort to move.
shepherdessרֹעֶה
ro'eh · Hebrew Noun (feminine form in verse 9)
One who keeps, feeds, and guards sheep; a role frequently associated with leadership, protection, and sacrificial care, serving as a primary metaphor for God and the messianic King.
kissedנָשַׁק
nashaq · Hebrew Verb
A gesture denoting family relationship, friendship, or greeting in the Ancient Near East. It often signified social connection and shared status among kin.
kinsmanאָח
ach · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting a relative, specifically one connected by blood or clan ties. It implies a social and legal bond that carried mutual obligations of protection and hospitality.
sister’s sonאָח
ach · Hebrew Noun
A primary term for a brother, but in biblical usage, it broadly refers to any male relative, kinsman, or close associate within a tribal structure.
embracedחָבַק
chabaq · Hebrew Verb
A physical gesture of welcome and reconciliation, symbolizing the acceptance of someone into one's home or social sphere.
my bone and my fleshעֶצֶם וּבָשָׂר
etsem u basar · Hebrew Noun phrase
An idiom emphasizing close consanguinity or blood relationship. It functions as a declaration of shared identity, shared destiny, and the duties of kinship.
wagesמַשְׂכֹּרֶת
maskoreth · Hebrew Noun
Compensation given for labor or service. In the ancient economy, this was often paid in livestock, goods, or the promise of future marriage, reflecting the contract-based nature of work and family life.
Labanלָבָן
Laban · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the father of Rachel and Leah, whose name denotes "white" or "shining." In the narrative, he functions as a shrewd, deceptive kinsman who plays a central role in testing Jacob's character and patience.
Leahלֵאָה
Leah · Hebrew Proper Noun
The firstborn daughter of Laban. In biblical usage, the term often signifies the one who was overlooked or favored less in human estimation, yet plays a foundational role in the lineage of Israel.
Rachelרָחֵל
Rachel · Hebrew Proper Noun
The younger daughter of Laban, whose name signifies "ewe." Biblically, she is depicted as possessing physical beauty and grace, becoming the beloved wife of Jacob and a matriarch of Israel.
weakרַכּוֹת
rakkoth · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to the physical state of Leah's eyes, often interpreted as lacking sparkle or beauty. It highlights the contrast between internal character and outward physical attractiveness in the biblical narrative.
beautiful in form and appearanceיְפַת־תֹּאַר וִיפַת מַרְאֶה
yepath-to’ar viyphath mar’eh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun phrase
Used to describe physical attractiveness or excellence in form. In the Bible, beauty is often noted as a reflection of God’s creation, though it is frequently contrasted with the inner disposition of the heart.
Jacobיַעֲקֹב
Ya'aqob · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. His name means "he grasps the heel" or "supplanter," and he is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
lovedאָהַב
ahab · Hebrew Verb
A profound commitment of the heart, often involving devotion, sacrifice, and intense emotional attachment. In the Bible, love is demonstrated through action, fidelity, and self-denial, as seen in the context of covenant and familial relationships.
serveעָבַד
abad · Hebrew Verb
A term denoting labor or performance of duty, often used in the context of service to God or service within a familial or contractual arrangement. It implies effort, time, and dedication toward a specific goal.
go in to herבּוֹא
bow · Hebrew Verb
In a marital context, this refers to the consummation of the marriage, signifying the physical union and the fulfillment of the marriage covenant between a husband and wife.
feastמִשְׁתֶּה
mishteh · Hebrew Noun
A social or religious gathering involving a meal, often used in Scripture to celebrate covenants, weddings, or significant life events, serving as a public witness to a transaction or union.
daughterבַּת
bath · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the patriarchal narratives, a daughter was considered under the authority of the father until marriage, at which point the father oversaw the transfer of this guardianship to a husband.
female servantשִׁפְחָה
shiphchah · Hebrew Noun
Referring to a bondservant or female attendant, often given as part of a dowry or marriage gift, indicating status and familial obligation within the ancient Near Eastern household structure.
deceivedרָמָה
ramah · Hebrew Verb
The act of misleading someone through falsehood or guile; in Scripture, this is frequently condemned as a violation of truth and integrity, often carrying severe relational or covenantal consequences.
countryמָקוֹם
maqom · Hebrew Noun
A person or group of people characterized by a common location, heritage, or customs; in the Old Testament, it often refers to a clan or tribal group.
firstbornבְּכוֹרָה
bekorah · Hebrew Noun
The first child born to parents; in the ancient Near East, the firstborn son held special rights of inheritance and authority, and the firstborn daughter held a position of precedence in marriage customs.
Completeמָלֵא
male' · Hebrew Verb
To finish, bring to an end, or fulfill a specific period or requirement. In a covenantal or contractual sense, it implies meeting the full terms of an obligation.
weekשָׁבֻעַ
shabua · Hebrew Noun
In this context, the seven-day period of wedding festivities that followed a marriage ceremony, marking the transition of the bride into her new household.
servingעָבַד
abad · Hebrew Verb
The act of working for another; in a biblical context, it often refers to labor performed under a covenantal agreement or bond of servitude.
wifeאִשָּׁה
ishshah · Hebrew Noun
A woman who is joined to a man in a covenantal bond sanctioned by God and recognized by society, involving companionship, procreation, and mutual duties.
female servantשִׁפְחָה
shiphchah · Hebrew Noun
A female bondservant, often part of a household’s property, who served the wife and could sometimes be involved in the family line through the surrogate practice of the time.
lovedאָהַב
ahab · Hebrew Verb
A profound, active, and commitment-based affection; in the Bible, it is not merely an emotion but is expressed through deeds, devotion, and faithfulness toward another.