Genesis 29:14 kjv

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

Genesis 29:14 nkjv

And Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh." And he stayed with him for a month.

Genesis 29:14 niv

Then Laban said to him, "You are my own flesh and blood." After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month,

Genesis 29:14 esv

and Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh!" And he stayed with him a month.

Genesis 29:14 nlt

Laban exclaimed, "You really are my own flesh and blood!" Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel After Jacob had stayed with Laban for about a month,

Genesis 29 verses

Genesis 29 14 Meaning

Genesis 29:14 depicts Laban's strong verbal acceptance of Jacob upon his arrival. He acknowledges Jacob as truly his family, a close relative, stating he is "my bone and my flesh," signifying an immediate bond of kinship and belonging. This declaration leads to Jacob's initial stay with Laban for a full month, establishing a temporary, yet significant, period of refuge and assessment.

Genesis 29 14 Context

Jacob has just completed a momentous journey from Beersheba to Paddan-Aram, fleeing his brother Esau, and carrying the divine promises given to him at Bethel. His arrival at the well outside Haran is marked by the immediate, providential encounter with Rachel, Laban's daughter. After Jacob reveals his identity as Rebekah's son, Rachel rushes to inform her father. Laban's enthusiastic response (running, embracing, kissing) culminates in this verse, a powerful declaration of kinship. Jacob, alone and vulnerable, finds an unexpected welcome from his maternal kin, setting the stage for his extended stay and the formative years of his life and the patriarchal family. The cultural expectation was to welcome kinsmen, especially those journeying long distances.

Genesis 29 14 Word analysis

• And Laban said to him, ‘Surely you are my bone and my flesh.’
  • And Laban said: Implies a direct, immediate response from Laban after Jacob recounted his story (Gen 29:13). Laban's words are a confirmation of kinship, likely delivered with warmth and conviction, mirroring his physical actions of embracing and kissing Jacob.
  • Surely: The Hebrew word אכן ('āḵēn) is an emphasizing particle, translated as "indeed," "surely," or "truly." It intensifies Laban's statement, underscoring his complete agreement and affirmation of Jacob's claim to be kin. It's a declaration without doubt.
  • you are: A direct affirmation of Jacob's identity and connection to Laban's family.
  • my bone and my flesh: This is the most significant phrase in the verse. The Hebrew phrase is עַצְמִי וּבְשָׂרִי (‘atṣmī ūḇəśārī).
    • ‘atṣmī (bone of me): Refers to the skeletal structure, the core and foundation of being. It signifies deep, inherent connection, shared origin, and unbreakable identity.
    • ūḇəśārī (and flesh of me): Refers to the soft tissues, often associated with life and vulnerability, yet inseparable from the bone.
    • Significance of "bone and flesh" idiom: This powerful idiom is used in the Bible to declare the closest possible kinship and shared essence. Its first occurrence is in Gen 2:23, where Adam declares Eve as "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh," establishing the foundational unity in marriage. Here, Laban uses it to acknowledge the shared lineage and deep family tie between himself and Jacob. It implies complete acceptance into the family circle and the obligations that come with such a relationship.
    • Beyond biological connection: While certainly affirming blood relation, the phrase carries socio-legal weight in the ancient Near East, signifying one's rightful place and full belonging within a kin-group, complete with the attendant rights and responsibilities of family. It implies protection and provision.
  • And he stayed with him a month.
    • And he stayed: Hebrew וישב (wa·yiš·šêḇ), from the root ישב (yashab), meaning "to sit," "dwell," "reside." It signifies a period of habitation, not just a passing visit.
    • with him: Refers to Laban's household, confirming Jacob's absorption into the family unit.
    • a month: The Hebrew word יֶרַח (ye·raḥ) means "month." This "month" period (approx. 30 days) served as an ancient custom, often a probationary or assessment period. It was a time for the newcomer to be evaluated regarding their skills and trustworthiness, and for the host to consider the long-term arrangement. For Jacob, it allowed him to settle, explain his circumstances more fully, and for Laban to see his work ethic, setting the stage for the formal employment agreement that would follow (Gen 29:15).

Genesis 29 14 Bonus section

• Echo of Creation and Marriage: The use of "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh" directly links this declaration of family kinship back to Adam and Eve's primal union in Gen 2:23, symbolizing deep, essential relatedness. This phrase would later be used to denote profound covenant solidarity, as seen when the tribes of Israel affirm David as their king. In Jacob's case, it serves to draw him deeply into Laban's family, which eventually leads to his marriages with Leah and Rachel, founding the twelve tribes of Israel.
• A "honeymoon" period: The "month" can be seen as an initial, relatively peaceful, period before the complexities of Laban's true character and Jacob's struggles in his household unfold. It represents the welcoming facade before the contractual obligations and subsequent deceits become apparent.
• Divine Providence: Despite Laban's human flaws and the future challenges, God's guiding hand is evident. This initial, seemingly benevolent welcome ensures Jacob's safety and places him precisely where he needs to be to meet his future wives and found the nation that will inherit God's promises, showcasing God's ability to use human intentions, good or mixed, to fulfill His divine plan.

Genesis 29 14 Commentary

Genesis 29:14 is a pivotal moment in Jacob's journey, marking his formal integration into Laban's household. Laban's declaration, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh," is the strongest possible affirmation of kinship in the ancient Near East, echoing Adam's words about Eve. It expresses a deep, familial bond, signifying total acceptance and inclusion into the household. This initial welcome provided Jacob, who was vulnerable and a fugitive, with much-needed refuge and a sense of belonging among his relatives, fulfilling, in part, God's promise in Genesis 28:15 to be with him and bring him back.

However, the passage holds an undercurrent of complexity. While Laban's words were initially warm and embracing, his later actions throughout Jacob's twenty-year stay reveal a shrewd, often deceptive character (Gen 31:41-42). This raises questions about the true depth of Laban's sentiment at this moment—was it pure affection, or was it also recognition of a capable worker entering his household? The "month" stay highlights this: it was a time for mutual assessment, culminating in a contractual agreement that would later become a source of contention. Thus, this verse beautifully encapsulates the tension between kinship bonds and human fallenness, showing God's providence at work even amidst imperfect human relationships to bring about His purposes for Jacob and the covenant people.