Study Desk

Isaac answered: I have appointed him thy lord, and have made all his brethren his servants: I have established him with corn and wine, and after this, what shall I do more for thee, my son?

Esau therefore always hated Jacob, for the blessing wherewith his father had blessed him; and he said in his heart: The days will come of the mourning for my father, and I will kill my brother Jacob.

And Jacob arising in the morning, took the stone which he had laid under his head, and set it up for a title, pouring oil upon the top of it.

And this stone, which I have set up for a title, shall be called the house of God: and of all things that thou shalt give to me, I will offer tithes to thee.

And he saw a well in the field, and three flocks of sheep lying by it: for the beasts were watered out of it, and the mouth thereof was closed with a great stone.

They were yet speaking, and behold Rachel came with her father’s sheep; for she fed the flock.

And Jacob being in love with her, said: I will serve thee seven years for Rachel, thy younger daughter.

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed but a few days, because of the greatness of his love.

And he said to Laban: Give me my wife; for now the time is fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

And he said to his father in law: What is it that thou didst mean to do? did not I serve thee for Rachel? why hast thou deceived me?

Make up the week of days of this match: and I will give thee her also, for the service that thou shalt render me other seven years.

To whom her father gave Bala, for her servant.

And having at length obtained the marriage he wished for, he preferred the love of the latter before the former, and served with him other seven years.

The fourth time she conceived and bore a son, and said: Now will I praise the Lord: and for this she called him Juda. And she left bearing.

And Rachel said: The Lord hath judged for me, and hath heard my voice, giving me a son; and therefore she called his name Dan.

For whom Rachel said: God hath compared me with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called him Nephthali.

And Lia said: This is for my happiness: for women will call me blessed. Therefore she called him Aser.

She answered: Dost thou think it a small matter, that thou hast taken my husband from me, unless thou take also my son’s mandrakes? Rachel said: He shall sleep with thee this night, for thy son’s mandrakes.

And when Jacob returned at even from the field, Lia went out to meet him, and said: Thou shalt come in unto me, because I have hired thee for my son’s mandrakes. And he slept with her that night.

Give me my wives, and my children, for whom I have served thee, that I may depart: thou knowest the service that I have rendered thee.