Who was Laban in the Bible?

Laban was the brother of Rebekah and the father of Leah and Rachel, who became the wives of the patriarch Jacob. He is a key figure in the Book of Genesis, primarily known for his complex dealings with his nephew and son-in-law, Jacob (Genesis 24:29; 29:16).

What is the story of Jacob and Laban?

Jacob worked for Laban for seven years to marry Rachel, but Laban tricked him into marrying Leah first. Jacob then worked another seven years for Rachel, and later negotiated for flocks, leading to Laban's repeated attempts to change Jacob's wages (Genesis 29:15-30; 31:7).

Why is Laban significant in the Bible?

Laban is significant as the father of Leah and Rachel, who became mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel. His deceptive actions towards Jacob ultimately served God's purpose in building the nation of Israel, demonstrating God's sovereignty even through human conflict (Genesis 31:24, 42).

Laban

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Laban, the brother of Rebekah and father of Jacob's wives, Leah and Rachel (Gen.24.29; 29-31).

Laban

Biography

Laban was an Aramean from Paddan-aram, the son of Bethuel and brother of Rebekah, who plays a central and morally complex role in the patriarchal narratives of Genesis. When Abraham's servant came seeking a wife for Isaac, Laban played a prominent role in welcoming him and facilitating Rebekah's betrothal (Genesis 24:29–60). Years later, Jacob fled to Laban's household to escape Esau's wrath and spent twenty years there, during which time Laban deceived him by substituting Leah for Rachel at the wedding, altered his wages ten times, and pursued him aggressively when he finally departed (Gen. 29–31). Despite his repeated deception, Laban was the father of Leah and Rachel, the two women who, together with their servants Zilpah and Bilhah, became the mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Significance

Laban's theological significance lies in his role as an instrument, despite his own scheming, through which God's covenant purposes were advanced. The twelve sons born through Laban's daughters became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel, making Laban an unlikely contributor to the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham. The account of Jacob's years with Laban also demonstrates the sovereignty of God over human manipulation: every scheme Laban devised was ultimately overcome by divine faithfulness. Laban also represents the encounter between Israel's ancestors and the wider Aramean world, with the covenant pillar at Mizpah (Gen. 31:44–54) marking the boundary between these kindred yet distinct peoples.

Authority Records

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FatherBethuelSpouseAdinahChildLeahChildRachelSiblingRebecca

Verse Appearances (46)

Genesis

Genesis 24:29 Genesis 24:50 Genesis 25:20 Genesis 27:43 Genesis 28:2 Genesis 28:5 Genesis 29:5 Genesis 29:10 Genesis 29:13 Genesis 29:14 Genesis 29:15 Genesis 29:16 Genesis 29:19 Genesis 29:21 Genesis 29:22 Genesis 29:24 Genesis 29:25 Genesis 29:26 Genesis 29:29 Genesis 30:25 Genesis 30:27 Genesis 30:34 Genesis 30:36 Genesis 30:40 Genesis 30:42 Genesis 31:1 Genesis 31:2 Genesis 31:12 Genesis 31:19 Genesis 31:20 Genesis 31:22 Genesis 31:24 Genesis 31:25 Genesis 31:26 Genesis 31:31 Genesis 31:33 Genesis 31:34 Genesis 31:36 Genesis 31:43 Genesis 31:47 Genesis 31:48 Genesis 31:51 Genesis 31:55 Genesis 32:4 Genesis 46:18 Genesis 46:25

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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