1.284
Such were the predictions which God made to Jacob; whereupon he became
very joyful at what he had seen and heard; and he poured oil on the stones,
because on them the prediction of such great benefits was made. He also
vowed a vow, that he would offer sacrifices upon them, if he lived and
returned safe; and if he came again in such a condition, he would give
the tithe of what he had gotten to God. He also judged the place to be
honorable and gave it the name of Bethel, which, in the Greek, is interpreted,
The House of God.
1.285
So he proceeded on his journey to Mesopotamia, and at length came
to Haran; and meeting with shepherds in the suburbs, with boys grown up,
and maidens sitting about a certain well, he staid with them, as wanting
water to drink; and beginning to discourse with them, he asked them whether
they knew such a one as Laban, and whether he was still alive. Now they
all said they knew him, for he was not so inconsiderable a person as to
be unknown to any of them; and that his daughter fed her father's flock
together with them; and that indeed they wondered that she was not yet
come, for by her means thou mightest learn more exactly whatever thou desirest
to know about that family. While they were saying this the damsel came,
and the other shepherds that came down along with her. Then they showed
her Jacob, and told her that he was a stranger, who came to inquire about
her father's affairs. But she, as pleased, after the custom of children,
with Jacob's coming, asked him who he was, and whence he came to them,
and what it was he lacked that he came thither. She also wished it might
he in their power to supply the wants he came about.
1.288
But Jacob was quite overcome, not so much by their kindred, nor by
that affection which might arise thence, as by his love to the damsel,
and his surprise at her beauty, which was so flourishing, as few of the
women of that age could vie with. He said then, "There is a relation
between thee and me, elder than either thy or my birth, if thou be the
daughter of Laban; for Abraham was the son of Terah, as well as Haran and
Nahor. Of the last of whom (Nahor) Bethuel thy grandfather was the son.
Isaac my father was the son of Abraham and of Sarah, who was the daughter
of Haran. But there is a nearer and later cement of mutual kindred which
we bear to one another, for my mother Rebeka was sister to Laban thy father,
both by the same father and mother; I therefore and thou are cousin-germans.
And I am now come to salute you, and to renew that affinity which is proper
between us." Upon this the damsel, at the mention of Rebeka,
as usually happens to young persons, wept, and that out of the kindness
she had for her father, and embraced Jacob, she having learned an account
of Rebeka from her father, and knew that her parents loved to hear her
named; and when she had saluted him, she said that "he brought the
most desirable and greatest pleasures to her father, with all their family,
who was always mentioning his mother, and always thinking of her, and her
alone; and that this will make thee equal in his eyes to any advantageous
circumstances whatsoever." Then she bid him go to her father, and
follow her while she conducted him to him; and not to deprive him of such
a pleasure, by staying any longer away from him.
1.293
When she had said thus, she brought him to Laban; and being owned
by his uncle, he was secure himself, as being among his friends; and he
brought a great deal of pleasure to them by his unexpected coning. But
a little while afterward, Laban told him that he could not express in words
the joy he had at his coming; but still he inquired of him the occasion
of his coming, and why he left his aged mother and father, when they wanted
to be taken care of by him; and that he would afford him all the assistance
he wanted. Then Jacob gave him an account of the whole occasion of his
journey, and told him, "that Isaac had two sons that were twins, himself
and Esau; who, because he failed of his father's prayers, which by his
mother's wisdom were put up for him, sought to kill him, as deprived of
the kingdom note
which was to be given him of God, and of the blessings for which their
father prayed; and that this was the occasion of his coming hither, as
his mother had commanded him to do: for we are all (says he) brethren one
to another; but our mother esteems an alliance with your family more than
she does one with the families of the country; so I look upon yourself
and God to be the supporters of my travels, and think myself safe in my
present circumstances."
1.297
Now Laban promised to treat him with great humanity, both on account
of his ancestors, and particularly for the sake of his mother, towards
whom, he said, he would show his kindness, even though she were absent,
by taking care of him; for he assured him he would make him the head shepherd
of his flock, and give him authority sufficient for that purpose; and when
he should have a mind to return to his parents, he would send him back
with presents, and this in as honorable a manner as the nearness of their
relation should require. This Jacob heard gladly; and said he would willingly,
and with pleasure, undergo any sort of pains while he tarried with him,
but desired Rachel to wife, as the reward of those pains, who was not only
on other accounts esteemed by him, but also because she was the means of
his coming to him; for he said he was forced by the love of the damsel
to make this proposal. Laban was well pleased with this agreement, and
consented to give the damsel to him, as not desirous to meet with any better
son-in-law; and said he would do this, if he would stay with him some time,
for he was not willing to send his daughter to be among the Canaanites,
for he repented of the alliance he had made already by marrying his sister
there. And when Jacob had given his consent to this, he agreed to stay
seven years; for so many years he had resolved to serve his father-in-law,
that, having given a specimen of his virtue, it might be better known what
sort of a man he was. And Jacob, accepting of his terms, after the time
was over, he made the wedding-feast; and when it was night, without Jacob's
perceiving it, he put his other daughter into bed to him, who was both
elder than Rachel, and of no comely countenance: Jacob lay with her that
night, as being both in drink and in the dark. However, when it was day,
he knew what had been done to him; and he reproached Laban for his unfair
proceeding with him; who asked pardon for that necessity which forced him
to do what he did; for he did not give him Lea out of any ill design, but
as overcome by another greater necessity: that, notwithstanding this, nothing
should hinder him from marrying Rachel; but that when he had served another
seven years, he would give him her whom he loved. Jacob submitted to this
condition, for his love to the damsel did not permit him to do otherwise;
and when another seven years were gone, he took Rachel to wife.