And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
The verse records that Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to serve as her handmaid. It belongs to the account in which Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel, whom Jacob loved. The deception came after Jacob had served seven years for Rachel, and Laban insisted that Leah could not be discarded without bringing disgrace on the family. Jacob retained Leah as wife and also married Rachel, loving Rachel more and Leah much less. The rivalry between the two sisters made Jacob's life bitter.
The marriages surrounding the verse illustrate the ancient custom that required a bridegroom to pay a dowry or to work for his bride. That arrangement gave time to test a suitor's faithfulness and suitability before marriage. A father generally gave the dowry he received to his daughter at her marriage, but Laban selfishly kept what should have gone to Leah and Rachel.
The verse records that Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to serve as her handmaid. It belongs to the account in which Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel, whom Jacob loved. The deception came after Jacob had served seven years for Rachel, and Laban insisted that Leah could not be discarded without bringing disgrace on the family. Jacob retained Leah as wife and also married Rachel, loving Rachel more and Leah much less. The rivalry between the two sisters made Jacob's life bitter.
The marriages surrounding the verse illustrate the ancient custom that required a bridegroom to pay a dowry or to work for his bride. That arrangement gave time to test a suitor's faithfulness and suitability before marriage. A father generally gave the dowry he received to his daughter at her marriage, but Laban selfishly kept what should have gone to Leah and Rachel.