Bereishit Chapter 29
May HASHEM continue to enlighten us with the Light of His Torah

 

Hebrew Torah  - Transliterated & Translated - Verse by Verse & with Commentary

 

Linear translation - Every Hebrew & Hebrew Tranliterated line has a precise, idiomatically correct, English translation beside it.

 

NOTE: Hover over the underlined words for commentary.

 

Bereishit Chapter 29

 

א וַיִּשָּׂא יַעֲקֹב רַגְלָיו וַיֵּלֶךְ אַרְצָה בְנֵי-קֶדֶם

 

 

Vayisa Ya'akov raglav vayelech artzah venei-kedem.

 

 

1. Yaakov set off briskly and headed toward the land of the people of the East.

 

 

ב וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה בְאֵר בַּשָּׂדֶה וְהִנֵּה-שָׁם שְׁלֹשָׁה עֶדְרֵי-צֹאן רֹבְצִים עָלֶיהָ--כִּי מִן-הַבְּאֵר הַהִוא יַשְׁקוּ הָעֲדָרִים וְהָאֶבֶן גְּדֹלָה עַל-פִּי הַבְּאֵר

 

 

Vayar vehineh ve'er basadeh vehineh-sham shloshah edrei-tzon rovtzim aleiha ki min-habe'er hahi yashku ha'adarim veha'even gedolah al-pi habe'er.

 

 

2. He looked around. There was a well in the field. Three flocks of sheep were lying beside it, since it was from that well that the flocks were watered. There was a large stone over the mouth of the well.

 

 

ג וְנֶאֶסְפוּ-שָׁמָּה כָל-הָעֲדָרִים וְגָלְלוּ אֶת-הָאֶבֶן מֵעַל פִּי הַבְּאֵר וְהִשְׁקוּ אֶת-הַצֹּאן וְהֵשִׁיבוּ אֶת-הָאֶבֶן עַל-פִּי הַבְּאֵר לִמְקֹמָהּ

 

 

Vene'esfu-shamah chol-ha'adarim vegalelu et-ha'even me'al-pi habe'er vehishku et-hatzon veheshivu et-ha'even al-pi habe'er limekomah

 

 

3. When all the flocks would assemble, [the shepherds] would roll the stone from the well's mouth, and water the flocks. They would then return the stone to its place on the mouth of the well.

 

 

ד וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם יַעֲקֹב אַחַי מֵאַיִן אַתֶּם וַיֹּאמְרוּ מֵחָרָן אֲנָחְנוּ

 

 

Vayomer lahem Ya'akov achai me'ayin atem vayomeru meCharan anachnu.

 

 

4. Yaakov said to them, "My brothers, from where do you hail?" They replied, "We are from Charan."

 

 

ה וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם הַיְדַעְתֶּם אֶת-לָבָן בֶּן-נָחוֹר וַיֹּאמְרוּ יָדָעְנוּ

 

 

Vayomer lahem hayedatem et-Lavan ben-Nachor vayomeru yadanu.

 

 

5. He asked them, "Do you know Nachor's son Lavan?" They replied, "We know [him]."

 

 

ו וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם הֲשָׁלוֹם לוֹ וַיֹּאמְרוּ שָׁלוֹם--וְהִנֵּה רָחֵל בִּתּוֹ בָּאָה עִם-הַצֹּאן

 

 

Vayomer lahem hashalom lo vayomeru shalom vehineh Rachel bito ba'ah im-hatzon.

 

 

6. He asked them, "Is he doing well?" "Well enough," they replied. "Here's his daughter Rachel coming with the sheep."

 

 

ז וַיֹּאמֶר הֵן עוֹד הַיּוֹם גָּדוֹל--לֹא-עֵת הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה הַשְׁקוּ הַצֹּאן וּלְכוּ רְעוּ

 

 

Vayomer hen od hayom gadol lo-et he'asef hamikneh hashku hatzon ulechu re'u.

 

 

7. [Yaakov] said, "It is sill broad dalght and not yet time to bring the livestock in. [Why not] water the sheep and go on grazing?"

 

 

ח וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֹא נוּכַל עַד אֲשֶׁר יֵאָסְפוּ כָּל-הָעֲדָרִים וְגָלְלוּ אֶת-הָאֶבֶן מֵעַל פִּי הַבְּאֵר וְהִשְׁקִינוּ הַצֹּאן

 

 

Vayomeru lo nuchal ad asher ye'asfu kol-ha'adarim vegalelu et-ha'even me'al pi habe'er vehishkinu hatzon.

 

 

8. They said, "We cannot until all the flocks have come together and [the sheperds] roll the stone from the well's mouth. Then we can water the sheep."

 

 

ט עוֹדֶנּוּ מְדַבֵּר עִמָּם וְרָחֵל בָּאָה עִם-הַצֹּאן אֲשֶׁר לְאָבִיהָ--כִּי רֹעָה הִוא

 

 

Odenu medaber imam veRachel ba'ah im-hatzon asher le'aviha ki ro'ah hi.

 

 

9. While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep. She was a shepherdess.

 

 

י וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר רָאָה יַעֲקֹב אֶת-רָחֵל בַּת-לָבָן אֲחִי אִמּוֹ וְאֶת-צֹאן לָבָן אֲחִי אִמּוֹ וַיִּגַּשׁ יַעֲקֹב וַיָּגֶל אֶת-הָאֶבֶן מֵעַל פִּי הַבְּאֵר וַיַּשְׁקְ אֶת-צֹאן לָבָן אֲחִי אִמּוֹ

 

 

Vayehi ka'asher ra'ah Ya'akov et-Rachel bat-Lavan achi imo ve'et tzon Lavan achi imo vayigash Ya'akov vayagel et-ha'even me'al pi habe'er vayashk et-tzon Lavan achi imo.

 

 

10. Yaakov saw Rachel, daugher of his maternal uncle Lavan, together with his uncle Lavan's sheep. He stepped forward, rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered his uncle Lavan's sheep.

 

 

יא וַיִּשַּׁק יַעֲקֹב לְרָחֵל וַיִּשָּׂא אֶת-קֹלוֹ וַיֵּבְךְּ

 

 

Vayishak Ya'akov le-Rachel vayisa et-kolo vayevk.

 

 

11. Yaakov kissed Rachel and wept aloud.

 

 

יב וַיַּגֵּד יַעֲקֹב לְרָחֵל כִּי אֲחִי אָבִיהָ הוּא וְכִי בֶן-רִבְקָה הוּא; וַתָּרָץ וַתַּגֵּד לְאָבִיהָ

 

 

Vayaged Ya'akov le-Rachel ki achi aviha hu vechi ven-Rivkah hu vatarotz vataged le'aviha.

 

 

12. Yaakov told Rachel that he was related to her father, since he was Rivkah's son. She ran and told her father.

 

 

יג וַיְהִי כִשְׁמֹעַ לָבָן אֶת-שֵׁמַע יַעֲקֹב בֶּן-אֲחֹתוֹ וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתוֹ וַיְחַבֶּק-לוֹ וַיְנַשֶּׁק-לוֹ וַיְבִיאֵהוּ אֶל-בֵּיתוֹ וַיְסַפֵּר לְלָבָן אֵת כָּל-הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה

 

 

Vayehi chishmoa Lavan et-shema Ya'akov ben-achoto vayarotz likrato vayechabek-lo vayenashek-lo vayevi'ehu el-beito vayesaper le-Lavan et kol-hadevarim ha'eleh.

 

 

13. When Lavan heard the news of his nephew Yaakov, he ran to greet him; he embraced him, kissed him, and brought him home. [Yaakov] told Lavan all that had happened.

 

 

יד וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ לָבָן אַךְ עַצְמִי וּבְשָׂרִי אָתָּה וַיֵּשֶׁב עִמּוֹ חֹדֶשׁ יָמִים

 

 

Vayomer lo Lavan ach atzmi uvesari atah vayeshev imo chodesh yamim.

 

 

14. Lavan said to him, "But you are my flesh and blood." [Yaakov agreed to] remain with him for a month.

 

 

טו וַיֹּאמֶר לָבָן לְיַעֲקֹב הֲכִי-אָחִי אַתָּה וַעֲבַדְתַּנִי חִנָּם הַגִּידָה לִּי מַה-מַּשְׂכֻּרְתֶּךָ

 

 

Vayomer Lavan le-Ya'akov hachi-achi atah va'avadetani chinam hagidah li mah-maskurtecha.

 

 

15. Lavan said to Yaakov, "Just because you are my relative, does itmean that you must work for me without pay? Name your wage."

 

 

טז וּלְלָבָן שְׁתֵּי בָנוֹת: שֵׁם הַגְּדֹלָה לֵאָה וְשֵׁם הַקְּטַנָּה רָחֵל

 

 

Ule-Lavan shtei vanot shem hagdolah Leah veshem haktanah Rachel.

 

 

16. Lavan had two daughters. The older one's name was Leah, and the younger one's name was Rachel.

 

 

יז וְעֵינֵי לֵאָה רַכּוֹת וְרָחֵל הָיְתָה יְפַת-תֹּאַר וִיפַת מַרְאֶה

 

 

Ve'einei Leah rakot veRachel hayetah yefat-to'ar vifat mar'eh.

 

 

17. Leah's eyes were tender. Rachel was beautiful and good looking.

 

 

יח וַיֶּאֱהַב יַעֲקֹב אֶת-רָחֵל וַיֹּאמֶר אֶעֱבָדְךָ שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים בְּרָחֵל בִּתְּךָ הַקְּטַנָּה

 

 

Vaye'ehav Ya'akov et-Rachel vayomer e'evadcha sheva shanim beRachel bitcha haktanah.

 

 

18. Yaakov had fallen in love with Rachel. He said, "I will work for you seven years for our younger daughter Rachel."

 

 

יט וַיֹּאמֶר לָבָן טוֹב תִּתִּי אֹתָהּ לָךְ מִתִּתִּי אֹתָהּ לְאִישׁ אַחֵר שְׁבָה עִמָּדִי

 

 

Vayomer Lavan tov titi otah lach mititi otah le'ish acher shvah imadi.

 

 

19. Lavan said, "Better I should give her to you than to another man. Remain with me."

 

 

כ וַיַּעֲבֹד יַעֲקֹב בְּרָחֵל שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים; וַיִּהְיוּ בְעֵינָיו כְּיָמִים אֲחָדִים בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ אֹתָהּ

 

 

Vaya'avod Ya'akov beRachel sheva shanim vayihyu ve'einav keyamim achadim be'ahavato otah.

 

 

20. Yaakov worked seven years for Rachel. It seemed like just a few days, so much did he love her.

 

 

כא וַיֹּאמֶר יַעֲקֹב אֶל-לָבָן הָבָה אֶת-אִשְׁתִּי כִּי מָלְאוּ יָמָי וְאָבוֹאָה אֵלֶיהָ

 

 

Vayomer Ya'akov el-Lavan havah et-ishti ki male'u yamai ve'avo'ah eleiha.

 

 

21. Yaakov said to Lavan, "My term is complete. Give me my bride that I may marry her."

 

 

כב וַיֶּאֱסֹף לָבָן אֶת-כָּל-אַנְשֵׁי הַמָּקוֹם וַיַּעַשׂ מִשְׁתֶּה

 

 

Vaye'esof Lavan et-kol-anshei hamakom vaya'as mishteh.

 

 

22. Lavan invited all the local people and made a [wedding] feast.

 

 

כג וַיְהִי בָעֶרֶב--וַיִּקַּח אֶת-לֵאָה בִתּוֹ וַיָּבֵא אֹתָהּ אֵלָיו וַיָּבֹא אֵלֶיהָ

 

 

Vayehi va'erev vayikach et-Leah vito vayave otah elav vayavo eleiha.

 

 

23. In the evening, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to [Yaakov]. He consummated the marriage with her.

 

 

כד וַיִּתֵּן לָבָן לָהּ אֶת-זִלְפָּה שִׁפְחָתוֹ--לְלֵאָה בִתּוֹ שִׁפְחָה

 

 

Vayiten Lavan lah et-Zilpah shifchato le-Leah vito shifchah.

 

 

24. Lavan gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a handmaid.

 

 

כה וַיְהִי בַבֹּקֶר וְהִנֵּה-הִוא לֵאָה וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל-לָבָן מַה-זֹּאת עָשִׂיתָ לִּי--הֲלֹא בְרָחֵל עָבַדְתִּי עִמָּךְ וְלָמָּה רִמִּיתָנִי

 

 

Vayehi vaboker vehineh-hi Leah vayomer el-Lavan mah-zot asitah li halo veRachel avadeti imach velamah rimitani.

 

 

25. Morning came and it was Leah! [Yaakov] said to Lavan, "What have you done to me? Didn't I work with you for Rachel? Why did you cheat me?"

 

 

כו וַיֹּאמֶר לָבָן לֹא-יֵעָשֶׂה כֵן בִּמְקוֹמֵנוּ--לָתֵת הַצְּעִירָה לִפְנֵי הַבְּכִירָה

 

 

Vayomer Lavan lo-ye'aseh chen bimkomenu latet hatze'irah lifnei habechirah.

 

 

26. Lavan said, "In our place it is simply not done to give a younger daughter [in marriage] before the firstborn."

 

 

כז מַלֵּא שְׁבֻעַ זֹאת וְנִתְּנָה לְךָ גַּם-אֶת-זֹאת בַּעֲבֹדָה אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲבֹד עִמָּדִי עוֹד שֶׁבַע-שָׁנִים אֲחֵרוֹת

 

 

Male shevua zot venitnah lecha gam-et-zot ba'avodah asher ta'avod imadi od sheva-shanim acherot.

 

 

27. "Complete the [bridal] week for this one. We will also give you the other one - in return for the work that you will do with me for another seven years."

 

 

כח וַיַּעַשׂ יַעֲקֹב כֵּן וַיְמַלֵּא שְׁבֻעַ זֹאת וַיִּתֶּן-לוֹ אֶת-רָחֵל בִּתּוֹ לוֹ לְאִשָּׁה

 

 

Vaya'as Ya'akov ken vayemale shvua zot vayiten-lo et-Rachel bito lo le'ishah.

 

 

28. Yaakov complied. He completed the [bridal] week for [Leah]. [Lavan] then gave him his daugher Rachel as a wife.

 

 

כט וַיִּתֵּן לָבָן לְרָחֵל בִּתּוֹ אֶת-בִּלְהָה שִׁפְחָתוֹ--לָהּ לְשִׁפְחָה

 

 

Vayiten Lavan le-Rachel bito et-Bilhah shifchato lah leshifchah.

 

 

29. To his daughter Rachel, Lavan gave his servant Bilhah as a handmaid.

 

 

ל וַיָּבֹא גַּם אֶל-רָחֵל וַיֶּאֱהַב גַּם-אֶת-רָחֵל מִלֵּאָה וַיַּעֲבֹד עִמּוֹ עוֹד שֶׁבַע-שָׁנִים אֲחֵרוֹת

 

 

Vayavo gam el-Rachel vaye'ehav gam-et-Rachel miLeah vaya'avod imo od sheva-shanim acherot.

 

 

30. [Yaakov] also married Rachel, and he loved Rachel more than Leah. He worked for [Lavan] another seven years.

 

 

לא וַיַּרְא יְהוָה כִּי-שְׂנוּאָה לֵאָה וַיִּפְתַּח אֶת-רַחְמָהּ וְרָחֵל עֲקָרָה

 

 

Vayar HASHEM ki-snu'ah Leah vayiftach et-rachmah veRachel akarah.

 

 

31. HASHEM saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb. Rachel remained barren.

 

 

לב וַתַּהַר לֵאָה וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ רְאוּבֵן: כִּי אָמְרָה כִּי-רָאָה יְהוָה בְּעָנְיִי--כִּי עַתָּה יֶאֱהָבַנִי אִישִׁי

 

 

Vatahar Leah vateled ben vatikra shmo Re'uven ki amrah ki-ra'ah HASHEM be'oni ki atah ye'ehavani ishi.

 

 

32. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuven, as she said, "HASHEM has seen my humiliation. Now my husband will love me."

 

 

לג וַתַּהַר עוֹד וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתֹּאמֶר כִּי-שָׁמַע יְהוָה כִּי-שְׂנוּאָה אָנֹכִי וַיִּתֶּן-לִי גַּם-אֶת-זֶה וַתִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ שִׁמְעוֹן

 

 

Vatahar od vateled ben vatomer ki-shama HASHEM ki-snu'ah anochi vayiten-li gam-et-zeh vatikra shmo Shim'on.

 

 

33. She became pregnant again and had a son. She said, "HASHEM heard (shama) that I was unloved, and He also gave me this one." She named him Shimon.

 

 

לד וַתַּהַר עוֹד וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתֹּאמֶר עַתָּה הַפַּעַם יִלָּוֶה אִישִׁי אֵלַי כִּי-יָלַדְתִּי לוֹ שְׁלֹשָׁה בָנִים עַל-כֵּן קָרָא-שְׁמוֹ לֵוִי

 

 

Vatahar od vateled ben vatomer atah hapa'am yilave ishi elai ki-yaladeti lo shloshah vanim al-ken kara-shmo Levi.

 

 

34. She became pregnant again and had a son. She said, "This time my husband will become attached (lavah) to me, since I have given him three sons." He therefore named him Levi.

 

 

לה וַתַּהַר עוֹד וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתֹּאמֶר הַפַּעַם אוֹדֶה אֶת-יְהוָה--עַל-כֵּן קָרְאָה שְׁמוֹ יְהוּדָה וַתַּעֲמֹד מִלֶּדֶת

 

 

Vatahar od vateled ben vatomer hapa'am odeh et-HASHEM al-ken kar'ah shmo Yehudah vata'amod miledet.

 

 

35. She became pregnant again and had a son. She said, "This time let me praise HASHEM," and therefore named him Yehudah. She then stopped having children.