This document is about Laban. For other homonyms, please refer to the Laban (place name) document. Laban is the maternal uncle and father-in-law of Jacob (son of Isaac). The genealogies of this period are quite complex due to frequent intermarriage. Laban is the great-nephew of Abraham. Laban is the first cousin once removed of Isaac. However, when Isaac married his first cousin once removed, Rebekah, Rebekah's biological brother Laban became his elder brother-in-law. He resided in Haran (place name) and possessed great wealth. When Jacob experienced conflict with Esau, his mother Rebekah sent him to seek refuge at her family home, the house of her brother Laban.
Genesis 27:42Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran.Genesis 27:43Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away—Genesis 27:44until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send, and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?”Genesis 27:45Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these, of the daughters of the land, what good will my life do me?”
Genesis 29:15Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
이에, 야곱은 딸 라헬을 아내로 맞이하고 그 댓가로 7년을 일하겠다고 제안한다. 그러자 라반은 허락을 하여 7년간 야곱을 부리게 된다.
Genesis 29:18Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”Genesis 29:19Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.Genesis 29:20Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.”
그러나 7년이 지난 뒤에 결혼을 하게 될 때에 라반은 당일 신부 바꿔치기를 하여 레아를 들여보낸다. 이에 뒤늦게 속은 줄 알게된 야곱이 항의를 하자 다시 라헬을 아내로 맞이하거든 7일 뒤에 다시 결혼을 하고 그 댓가로 7년을 더 일을 하도록 사기를 친다.
Genesis 29:22In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to Jacob. He went in to her.Genesis 29:23Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant.Genesis 29:24In the morning, behold, it was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”Genesis 29:25Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.Genesis 29:26Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for seven more years.”Genesis 29:27Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife.Genesis 29:28Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.
Genesis 30:42The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.Genesis 30:43The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
Genesis 31:41Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”Genesis 31:42Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine! What can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne?Genesis 31:43Now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.”Genesis 31:44Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
라반이 야곱과 언약을 맺은 곳의 이름을 라반은 여갈사하두다라 부르고 야곱은 갈르엣이라 불렀고 또 미스바라고도 불리웠다.
Genesis 31:45Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” They took stones, and made a heap. They ate there by the heap.Genesis 31:46Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.Genesis 31:47Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” Therefore it was named GaleedGenesis 31:48and Mizpah, for he said, “Yahweh watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another.Genesis 31:49If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, God is witness between me and you.”