Genesis 29:21 kjv

And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

Genesis 29:21 nkjv

Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her."

Genesis 29:21 niv

Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her."

Genesis 29:21 esv

Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed."

Genesis 29:21 nlt

Finally, the time came for him to marry her. "I have fulfilled my agreement," Jacob said to Laban. "Now give me my wife so I can sleep with her."

Genesis 29 verses

Genesis 29 21 Meaning

Genesis 29:21 records Jacob's direct demand to Laban to fulfill the marriage agreement for Rachel. After serving seven years as a bride-price, Jacob asserts that the agreed-upon period is complete, and it is time for him to consummate the marriage with Rachel. This verse highlights Jacob's expectation of the covenant being honored and his eagerness to finally wed the woman he loves.

Genesis 29 21 Context

Genesis chapter 29 begins with Jacob's arrival in Paddan Aram, where he encounters shepherds and then Rachel. Immediately struck by her beauty and his kinship connection, he expresses his desire to marry her. He makes a verbal agreement with Laban to serve seven years for Rachel as a bride-price (Gen 29:18). This service period, fueled by his love, felt like "only a few days" to Jacob (Gen 29:20). With the completion of these seven years, Jacob now steps forward to claim his promised wife, indicating his expectation for the marriage covenant to be immediately honored. This context sets the stage for Laban's subsequent deception and the complexities of Jacob's marital life. The practice of serving for a wife, instead of a direct monetary payment, was not uncommon in the ancient Near East, especially where the suitor lacked the conventional resources.

Genesis 29 21 Word analysis

• Then Jacob said: Jacob is active, directly addressing Laban. This marks a turning point after seven years of silent service, indicating his assertiveness and expectation. His name, יַעֲקֹב (Ya'akov), means "heel-grabber" or "supplanter," often hinting at his nature of striving and later wrestling with God.
• to Laban: לָבָן (Lavan), meaning "white," is characterized throughout Genesis as shrewd, deceitful, and manipulative, especially regarding financial matters and contractual obligations. This direct address from Jacob will soon test Laban's character.
• “Give me my wife: אִשְׁתִּי (ishtī - my wife). This phrase indicates Jacob’s proprietary right established through the completed seven years of service, functioning as a "bride-price" or mohar. It is a clear demand, not a request, based on a fulfilled contract. The concept of "my wife" highlights a deep sense of ownership and entitlement born out of commitment and fulfilled terms.
• for my days are fulfilled: מָלְאוּ יָמַי (mal'u yamay - literally, "my days are full" or "my days are completed"). This signifies the completion of the agreed-upon seven years of service. It emphasizes the contractual aspect of their agreement. It speaks of time fully spent, a duration reached according to a prior arrangement.
• that I may go in to her.”: וְאָבוֹאָה (v'avo'ah - and I may come/go in). This is a common biblical euphemism for sexual intimacy or the consummation of a marriage. It denotes the act of establishing full marital union and legal rights through physical intimacy. This phrase underscores that for ancient cultures, the physical consummation was crucial for validating the marriage contract, moving from a betrothal to a full marital bond.

Words-group analysis:

• "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled": This forms a powerful, declarative statement. Jacob isn't asking permission but stating a completed condition and claiming his right. It reveals a sense of entitlement based on completed labor and highlights the contractual nature of marriage in this cultural context.
• "my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her": This pairing directly links the completion of the contractual term (seven years) to the right and expectation of marital consummation. It indicates the ancient understanding that fulfilling a betrothal period or bride-price automatically leads to the full marital relationship, including sexual union, which legally confirmed the marriage. The verb for "go in" implies not just physical entry, but also establishing a bond, a claim, and often, new life.

Genesis 29 21 Bonus section

The contractual nature of marriage highlighted in this verse—where service functioned as a bride-price—demonstrates the social and economic dimensions woven into the sacred institution of marriage in ancient societies. Jacob’s explicit demand signifies the importance of adherence to promises and covenants, a recurring theme throughout biblical narratives concerning God’s relationship with His people. While Jacob faithfully completed his service, the delay introduced by Laban (the deception with Leah) reveals human deceit disrupting divine order and introduces the complications of polygamy, which God’s original design (Gen 2:24) did not intend. This incident illustrates that while humanity makes plans, often with integrity, unforeseen trials can arise due to the unfaithfulness or cunning of others, yet God's ultimate purposes for Jacob's family and the covenant line would still prevail.

Genesis 29 21 Commentary

Genesis 29:21 stands as a pivotal moment, marking Jacob’s shift from an eager suitor serving patiently to a man demanding what is rightfully his according to a completed covenant. The verse encapsulates Jacob’s love and longing for Rachel, presenting it as a legitimate and natural consequence of his seven years of devoted service, which felt to him like mere days due to his deep affection. This declaration by Jacob is direct and unadorned, reflecting the common expectation that once the bride-price (here, seven years of labor) was paid and the agreed period complete, the consummation of the marriage would immediately follow. The phrase "go in to her" signifies the crucial legal and social step of formalizing the union through physical intimacy, which often served as the final seal on the marriage contract in the ancient Near East. The understated nature of this demand by Jacob underscores his integrity and faithfulness to his word, contrasting sharply with Laban’s subsequent deception in substituting Leah for Rachel, thus introducing conflict and polygamy into Jacob's life.