Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Genesis, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God, Humanity, and Creation
Mistrust, Disobedience, and Death
Covenants and Faith in God’s Promises
The Role of Women
Summary
Analysis
When Jacob arrives in the east, he sees a well with three flocks of sheep lying beside it. The shepherds tell him they’re from Haran and that they know Laban; in fact, Laban’s daughter Rachel is approaching with her sheep right now. When Jacob sees her, he goes to the well and waters Rachel’s sheep for her. Then he kisses her, weeping. When Rachel hears that Jacob is her relative, she runs to tell her father. Soon Laban hurries to welcome and embrace Jacob.
Jacob’s encounter with Rachel at the well echoes the encounter between Abraham’s servant and Rebekah a generation earlier. Here, though, Jacob seems to instantly recognize Rachel as his intended wife, even without a prayer for divine guidance. Also, Jacob waters Rachel’s animals instead of vice versa. Though Jacob’s kiss might not be romantic in nature, it nevertheless shows his passionate gratitude at having found Rachel.
Themes
After Jacob has stayed at Laban’s house for a month, Laban says that Jacob shouldn’t work for him for free—what should his wages be? Laban has two daughters, Leah and Rachel. Though Leah has lovely eyes, Rachel is more beautiful. Jacob tells Laban he will serve him for seven years if he can marry Rachel. Laban agrees, and because Jacob loves Rachel so much, the seven years pass quickly.
Instead of offering a dowry in order to marry Rachel, Jacob agrees to work for a set time. Jacob’s love for Rachel (pointedly not Leah), and his hard work in order to marry her, helps set up the ironic twist to come.
Themes
At the end of the seven years, Jacob asks Laban for Rachel, and Laban throws a marriage feast. But that night, he brings Leah to Jacob’s tent instead. The next morning, when Jacob realizes what’s happened, he demands to know why Laban has deceived him. Laban explains that it’s not customary to give a younger daughter in marriage before the firstborn. He will give Rachel to Jacob in exchange for another seven years’ labor. Jacob agrees, so after a week with Leah, he also marries Rachel. Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah.
Up till now, Jacob has been portrayed as a great trickster; but now, ironically, he is the victim of Laban’s trick. At night, Jacob doesn’t realize that he’s actually consummated a marriage with Leah. Laban’s explanation the next day is also ironic, given Jacob’s status as a second son who’s received a firstborn’s blessings. But he’s allowed to marry Rachel, too, following a honeymoon period.
Themes
God sees that Leah isn’t loved, so while Rachel remains barren, he enables Leah to conceive a son. Leah names her son Reuben because God has looked on her affliction, and surely now Jacob will love her. Soon she bears another son, naming him Simeon because the Lord has heard that Jacob hates her. Her next son is named Levi, in hopes that her husband will now be joined to her. Next comes Judah, because Leah says, “This time I will praise the LORD.”
God’s “seeing” of the neglected Leah echoes God’s care for Hagar when she was cast out into the desert and heard her cries. These examples emphasize that God even cares for outcast women who do not seem important. Reuben is Hebrew for “See, a son”; Simeon is related to the Hebrew for “hear.” Levi comes from the word for “joined,” and Judah comes from “praise.” Many of these names reflect Leah’s sadness and her unrequited desire for a loving union with Jacob.
Themes
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