Study Desk

Then she said, "Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, and she will bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family."

Leah said, "How happy I am, for the women will call me happy." So she named him Asher.

But Leah replied, "Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son's mandrakes as well?" "Very well," said Rachel, "he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes."

When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So he slept with her that night.

Then Leah said, "God has rewarded me for giving my maidservant to my husband." So she named him Issachar.

Give me my wives and children, for whom I have served you, and I will go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you."

Indeed, you had very little before my arrival, but now your wealth has increased many times over. The LORD has blessed you wherever I set foot. But now, when may I also provide for my own household?"

"What can I give you?" Laban asked. "You do not need to give me anything," Jacob replied. "If you do this one thing for me, I will keep on shepherding and keeping your flock.

So my honesty will testify for me when you come to check on my wages in the future. If I have any goats that are not speckled or spotted, or any lambs that are not dark-colored, they will be considered stolen."

'Look up,' He said, 'and see that all the males that are mating with the flock are streaked, spotted, or speckled; for I have seen all that Laban has done to you.

Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered the money paid for us.

So he fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.

So he took his kinsmen with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him at Mount Gilead.

Now you have gone off because you long for your father's house. But why have you stolen my gods?"

"I was afraid," Jacob answered, "for I thought you would take your daughters from me by force.

If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

Rachel said to her father, "Sir, do not be angry that I cannot stand up before you; for I am having my period." So Laban searched, but could not find the household idols.

Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. "What is my crime?" he said. "For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?

I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock.

I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night.