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Laban

Laban was the father of Leah and Rachel, and Jacob's father-in-law, whose deceptive dealings with Jacob illustrate the consequences of cunning and the sovereignty of God's purposes.

Overview

Laban appears in Genesis as a shrewd businessman and manipulator who engaged Jacob in a complex labor arrangement. After Jacob fell in love with Rachel and agreed to serve seven years for her hand, Laban deceived him by substituting Leah on the wedding night, then demanded another seven years of service for Rachel. Their subsequent dealings over livestock wages demonstrate both men's scheming nature, yet God's faithfulness to Jacob remained constant throughout.

Key Scriptures

"Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, 'I'll serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel'" (Genesis 29:18, NIV). "So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her" (Genesis 29:20, ESV). "Laban said to him, 'Just name your wages, and I will pay them'" (Genesis 30:28, NASB).

Application

Examine your own dealings with others—whether you approach relationships with honesty and integrity, or whether self-interest tempts you toward deception.

Scripture References 40
Genesis 29:15 Genesis 29:16 Genesis 29:17 Genesis 29:18 Genesis 29:19 Genesis 29:20 Genesis 30:27 Genesis 30:28 Genesis 30:29 Genesis 30:30 Genesis 30:31 Genesis 30:32 Genesis 30:33 Genesis 30:34 Genesis 30:35 Genesis 30:36 Genesis 30:37 Genesis 30:38 Genesis 30:39 Genesis 30:40 Genesis 30:41 Genesis 30:42 Genesis 30:43 Genesis 30:37 Genesis 30:38 Genesis 30:39 Genesis 30:40 Genesis 30:41 Genesis 30:42 Genesis 30:43 Genesis 31:1 Genesis 31:2 Genesis 31:3 Genesis 31:4 Genesis 31:5 Genesis 31:6 Genesis 31:7 Genesis 31:8 Genesis 31:9 Genesis 31:10
Full Topical Reference List 109 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Jacob becomes his servant

Genesis 29:15 Genesis 29:16 Genesis 29:17 Genesis 29:18 Genesis 29:19 Genesis 29:20 Genesis 30:27 Genesis 30:28 Genesis 30:29 Genesis 30:30 Genesis 30:31 Genesis 30:32 Genesis 30:33 Genesis 30:34 Genesis 30:35 Genesis 30:36 Genesis 30:37 Genesis 30:38 Genesis 30:39 Genesis 30:40 Genesis 30:41 Genesis 30:42 Genesis 30:43

Outwitted by Jacob

Genesis 30:37 Genesis 30:38 Genesis 30:39 Genesis 30:40 Genesis 30:41 Genesis 30:42 Genesis 30:43 Genesis 31:1 Genesis 31:2 Genesis 31:3 Genesis 31:4 Genesis 31:5 Genesis 31:6 Genesis 31:7 Genesis 31:8 Genesis 31:9 Genesis 31:10 Genesis 31:11 Genesis 31:12 Genesis 31:13 Genesis 31:14 Genesis 31:15 Genesis 31:16 Genesis 31:17 Genesis 31:18 Genesis 31:19 Genesis 31:20 Genesis 31:21

Pursues Jacob, overtakes him at Mount Gilead, and covenants with him

Genesis 31:22 Genesis 31:23 Genesis 31:24 Genesis 31:25 Genesis 31:26 Genesis 31:27 Genesis 31:28 Genesis 31:29 Genesis 31:30 Genesis 31:31 Genesis 31:32 Genesis 31:33 Genesis 31:34 Genesis 31:35 Genesis 31:36 Genesis 31:37 Genesis 31:38 Genesis 31:39 Genesis 31:40 Genesis 31:41 Genesis 31:42 Genesis 31:43 Genesis 31:44 Genesis 31:45 Genesis 31:46 Genesis 31:47 Genesis 31:48 Genesis 31:49 Genesis 31:50 Genesis 31:51 Genesis 31:52 Genesis 31:53 Genesis 31:54 Genesis 31:55

Receives Jacob, and gives him his daughters in marriage

Genesis 29:12 Genesis 29:13 Genesis 29:14 Genesis 29:15 Genesis 29:16 Genesis 29:17 Genesis 29:18 Genesis 29:19 Genesis 29:20 Genesis 29:21 Genesis 29:22 Genesis 29:23 Genesis 29:24 Genesis 29:25 Genesis 29:26 Genesis 29:27 Genesis 29:28 Genesis 29:29 Genesis 29:30

Receives the servant of Abraham

Genesis 24:29 Genesis 24:30 Genesis 24:31 Genesis 24:32 Genesis 24:33
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