Changes

== Marriage of Rebekah ==

== Marriage of Rebekah ==

In 2148 AM, Eliezer of [[Damascus]], steward of [[Abraham]], came to Padan-aram to seek a wife for [[Isaac]]. Rebekah met him first and received from him three expensive pieces of jewelry. This impressed Laban and his father Bethuel, and so Laban rushed to the community well to welcome Eliezer and invite him to lodge at his house. Some rabbinical passages accuse Laban of intending to murder Eliezer<ref name=Hirsch/>. [[Flavius Josephus]] says no such thing,<ref name=Josephus>Josephus, ''Antiquities'', I.16.1-3</ref> and neither does any other source.

In 2148 AM, Eliezer of [[Damascus]], steward of [[Abraham]], came to Padan-aram to seek a wife for [[Isaac]]. Rebekah met him first and received from him three expensive pieces of jewelry. This impressed Laban and his father Bethuel, and so Laban rushed to the community well to welcome Eliezer and invite him to lodge at his house. Some rabbinical passages accuse Laban of intending to murder Eliezer.<ref name=Hirsch/> [[Flavius Josephus]] says no such thing,<ref name=Josephus>Josephus, ''Antiquities'', I.16.1-3</ref> and neither does any other source.

In any case, Laban concluded the negotiations with Eliezer and ultimately said that [[God]] must have ordained the events, and for that reason Laban and Bethuel should say nothing good or bad about the marriage. He gave his consent, and Rebekah left Padan-aram to marry Isaac.<ref name=Ussher>Ussher, James. ''The Annals of the World''. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pgh. 94.</ref>

In any case, Laban concluded the negotiations with Eliezer and ultimately said that [[God]] must have ordained the events, and for that reason Laban and Bethuel should say nothing good or bad about the marriage. He gave his consent, and Rebekah left Padan-aram to marry Isaac.<ref name=Ussher>Ussher, James. ''The Annals of the World''. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pgh. 94.</ref>

Laban consented to a marriage between Jacob and Rachel, on condition that Jacob serve Laban for seven years. Jacob agreed. But when the customary time had elapsed for a wedding, Laban substituted his older daughter Leah for Rachel. When Jacob protested, Laban said that he could not in good conscience allow a younger daughter to marry ahead of an older one. He then said that Jacob could marry Rachel also, if he would agree to serve Laban for an additional seven years. Jacob agreed to this as well.<ref name=Ussher2>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pghh. 115-116.</ref>

Laban consented to a marriage between Jacob and Rachel, on condition that Jacob serve Laban for seven years. Jacob agreed. But when the customary time had elapsed for a wedding, Laban substituted his older daughter Leah for Rachel. When Jacob protested, Laban said that he could not in good conscience allow a younger daughter to marry ahead of an older one. He then said that Jacob could marry Rachel also, if he would agree to serve Laban for an additional seven years. Jacob agreed to this as well.<ref name=Ussher2>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pghh. 115-116.</ref>

In 2259 AM (1745 BC), Jacob had served his original fourteen years. But Laban was reluctant to see Jacob leave. So he offered Jacob whatever wage he wished, if Jacob would serve Laban for six more years. Jacob asked for any [[sheep]], [[goats]], or [[cattle]] that were spotted or discolored in any way. Jacob then prepared rods of green [[poplar]], [[hazel]], and [[chestnut]] wood, with white streaks, and set them in places where the strongest of the animals would drink or conceive. In that manner Jacob became very rich at Laban's expense.<ref name=Ussher3>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 122</ref> ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=30|verses=26-43}})

In 2259 AM (1745 BC), Jacob had served his original fourteen years. But Laban was reluctant to see Jacob leave. So he offered Jacob whatever wage he wished, if Jacob would serve Laban for six more years. Jacob asked for any [[sheep]], [[goat]]s, or [[cattle]] that were spotted or discolored in any way. Jacob then prepared rods of green [[poplar]], [[hazel]], and [[chestnut]] wood, with white streaks, and set them in places where the strongest of the animals would drink or conceive. In that manner Jacob became very rich at Laban's expense.<ref name=Ussher3>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 122</ref> ({{Bible ref|book=Genesis|chap=30|verses=26-43}})

== Flight of Jacob ==

== Flight of Jacob ==

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==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Israel]]

* [[Israel]]

* [[Arabs]]

* [[Arabs]]