Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jacob's request is straightforward: he's fulfilled his seven years and wants his wife. What's easy to miss is that he asks for "my wife," implying Rachel, the one he contracted for, and not "a wife." This highlights his singular focus on Rachel and sets the stage for Laban's deception, where he uses Jacob's desire for her against him.
Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jacob has just completed seven years of service for his beloved Rachel, but his uncle Laban, known for his cunning, has just tricked him into marrying his elder daughter Leah instead. Now, with his service term officially over, Jacob demands the wife he originally bargained for, Rachel, so he can finally fulfill his marital intentions.
Jacob poured seven years of his life into serving Laban, driven by a passionate love for Rachel. But when the time came, love was met with deceit.
Jacob's dedication is striking. He served seven years for Rachel, and the text says, "they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her" (Genesis 29:20). This wasn't just about a transaction; it was fueled by deep affection.
However, Laban's response reveals a stark contrast. When Jacob demands his wife, Rachel, because his service is complete, Laban doesn't honor the agreement. Instead, he throws up a cultural custom: "It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn" (Genesis 29:26). This is a classic case of deception, using tradition as an excuse for trickery.
Jacob's love for Rachel was so pure that even after years of service, he waited for their wedding night to 'go in unto her.' But that night, his pure intentions were met with a cunning deception.
The phrase "that I may go in unto her" isn't just about consummating the marriage. It speaks to Jacob's deep desire to finally unite with the woman he loved and served for.
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According to ancient customs, the bride was heavily veiled, especially during the procession to the groom and the wedding feast. This veiling made it possible for Laban to substitute Leah for Rachel in the darkness of the wedding night.
Understand the original words
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.
This verse marks the culmination of Jacob's initial seven-year commitment, a period defined by his love for Rachel and his labor for Laban. However, it immediately precedes Laban's infamous deception, highlighting the tension between Jacob's heartfelt desire and the manipulative customs of his uncle's household.
c. 1800 BC
Jacob flees to Haran
Jacob flees from his brother Esau to the city of Haran, seeking refuge with his uncle Laban. He arrives with little more than the clothes on his back.
c. 1800 BC
Jacob meets Rachel at the well
Jacob encounters Rachel, Laban's daughter, at a well outside Haran. He is immediately smitten and begins a relationship with her.
c. 1800 BC
Jacob agrees to serve Laban
Jacob strikes a deal with Laban: he will serve him for seven years in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. Laban agrees.
c. 1793 BC— this verse
Jacob completes seven years of service
After seven years of dedicated labor, Jacob demands his wife, Rachel, as promised. This is the moment described in Genesis 29:21.
c. 1793 BC
Laban gives Leah to Jacob
During the wedding feast, Laban secretly substitutes his elder daughter, Leah, for Rachel. Jacob unknowingly marries Leah.
c. 1793 BC
Jacob serves another seven years
Upon discovering the deception, Jacob confronts Laban. Laban placates him by offering Rachel as a second wife after Leah's bridal week, in exchange for another seven years of service.
This passage outlines the legal requirements for divorce, including a 'certificate of divorce.' While Jacob is seeking his wife here, the concept of fulfillment of terms and legal entitlements in relationships resonates, though Jacob's situation is about fulfilling marriage terms rather than divorce.
Matthew 1:18-19Joseph's dilemma with Mary's pregnancy highlights a situation where a 'righteous' man is faced with a complex and potentially scandalous circumstance, mirroring Jacob's eventual entanglement with Leah, though Joseph's challenge is about faith and trust in God's plan rather than a marriage contract.
Ruth 3:11Boaz tells Ruth, 'And now, my daughter, do not fear. Indeed, all that you say I will do for you, for all the city of my people knows that you are a woman of excellence.' This echoes Jacob's claim for his wife, emphasizing the fulfillment of terms and the expectation of a rightful reward after diligent service.
1 Corinthians 7:1-5Paul discusses the mutual rights and responsibilities within marriage, including the idea of not depriving one another. Jacob's claim for his wife after seven years speaks to the rightful fulfillment of marital rights after a promised period of service.
calvinGenesis 29:1-35: "Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east."
And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
Fuit autem quando vidit Iahacob Rachel filiam Laban fratris matris suae, et pecudes Laban fratris matris suae, accessit Iahacob, et revolv…
gillGenesis 29:21: "And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her."
And Jacob said unto Laban, give me my wife,.... Meaning Rachel, who was his wife by contract; the conditions of her being his wife were now fulfilled by him, and therefore he might challenge her as his wife: for my days are now fulfilled; the seven years were up he agreed to serve him for his daughter; and therefore it was but just and right she should be given him: that I may go i…
Jacob's request is straightforward: he's fulfilled his seven years and wants his wife. What's easy to miss is that he asks for "my wife," implying Rachel, the one he contracted for, and not "a wife." This highlights his singular focus on Rachel and sets the stage for Laban's deception, where he uses Jacob's desire for her against him.
Jacob has just completed seven years of service for his beloved Rachel, but his uncle Laban, known for his cunning, has just tricked him into marrying his elder daughter Leah instead. Now, with his service term officially over, Jacob demands the wife he originally bargained for, Rachel, so he can finally fulfill his marital intentions.
Jacob has just completed seven years of service for his beloved Rachel, but his uncle Laban, known for his cunning, has just tricked him into marrying his elder daughter Leah instead. Now, with his service term officially over, Jacob demands the wife he originally bargained for, Rachel, so he can finally fulfill his marital intentions.
"Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.”" — Jacob's request is straightforward: he's fulfilled his seven years and wants his wife. What's easy to miss is that he asks for "my wife," implying Rachel, the one he contracted for, and not "a wife…
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Last reviewed October 2026