Genesis 29

The Children of Jacob, Part 1

“Genesis 29: The Children of Jacob, Part 1,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 31–32


In Genesis 32 you will read how the Lord changed Jacob’s name to Israel. We often speak in the Church of the “twelve tribes of Israel,” which refers to the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) and their descendants. Genesis 29–30 tells the story of Jacob’s marriages and the birth of eleven of his twelve sons.

Studying the Scriptures

Do either activity A or B as you study Genesis 29.

  1. Put Yourself in Their Place

    Imagine you are Jacob, Leah, or Rachel. Write to a close friend or family member living in another place and describe the story from Genesis 29 as if you were that person.

  2. What Is the Price of a Good Marriage?

    1. Anciently, a man paid a woman’s father for the right to marry his daughter. Because Jacob had little or nothing, what did he do to pay for the right to marry Leah and Rachel?

    2. Explain why you would or would not be willing to do what Jacob did in order to have a certain spouse.

    3. Write about what you think the “price” of a good, eternal marriage is today.

Terah

Nahor

Abraham

Haran

Bethuel

Isaac

Lot

Milcah

Sarai

Iscah

Laban

Rebekah

Jacob

Leah

Rachel

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