And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

GENESIS 29:16KJV
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Genesis 29:16 (KJV)

What does Genesis 29:16 mean?

Genesis 29:16 introduces Laban’s two daughters by name, stating that the older daughter is Leah and the younger is Rachel. This verse simply identifies the two women who will become important in the story of Jacob’s family.

Genesis 29:16 is part of the account where Jacob has come to stay with his uncle Laban. The verse sets the stage for the events that follow by naming Laban’s daughters, who will both play major roles in Jacob’s life and in the unfolding story of the tribes of Israel.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 29:16

  • לֵאָה (Le’ah) and רָחֵל (Rachel): These are the original Hebrew names for Leah and Rachel. Leah’s name is often thought to mean “weary” or “wild cow,” while Rachel means “ewe” (a female sheep). The names themselves hint at characteristics or symbolism that may be explored later in the story.
  • בְּכִירָה (bekhirah, “elder”) and קְטַנָּה (qetannah, “younger”): These words specify the birth order of Laban’s daughters, which will become significant in the narrative, especially regarding marriage customs and family dynamics.

Why Genesis 29:16 matters

  • This verse clears up who Leah and Rachel are, making it clear from the start that there are two sisters, and which one is older.
  • The mention of both daughters by name and birth order sets up the coming events where Jacob’s relationships with each sister become central to the story.
  • Understanding who Leah and Rachel are helps the reader follow the family lines that will lead to the twelve tribes of Israel, a major theme in Genesis.

Where else these words appear

“Leah” Hebrew H3812 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 29:17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
  • Genesis 30:12 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.
  • Genesis 31:33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.

“Rachel” Hebrew H7354 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 29:6 And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.
  • Genesis 30:2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
  • Genesis 33:1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.

“Laban” Hebrew H3837 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 24:29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
  • Genesis 29:25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
  • Genesis 31:24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

“younger” Hebrew H6996 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • 1 Samuel 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.