Genesis - 29:22



22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 29:22.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And he, having invited a great number of his friends to the feast, made the marriage.
And Laban assembled all the men of the place, and made a feast.
and Laban gathereth all the men of the place, and maketh a banquet.
And Laban got together all the men of the place and gave a feast.
And he, having called a great crowd of his friends to the feast, agreed to the marriage.
Et congregavit Laban omnes viros loci, et fecit convivium.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And Laban gathered together. Moses does not mean that a supper was prepared for the whole people, but that many guests were invited, as is customary in splendid nuptials; and there is no doubt that he applied himself with the greater earnestness to adorn that feast, for the purpose of holding Jacob bound by a sense of shame, so that he should not dare to depreciate the marriage into which he had been deceived. We hence gather what, at that time, was the religious observance connected with the marriage bed. For this was the occasion of Jacob's deception that, out of regard for the modesty of brides, they were led veiled into the chamber; but now, the ancient discipline being rejected, men become almost brutal.

Laban - made a feast - משתה mishteh signifies a feast of drinking. As marriage was a very solemn contract, there is much reason to believe that sacrifices were offered on the occasion, and libations poured out; and we know that on festival occasions a cup of wine was offered to every guest; and as this was drunk with particular ceremonies, the feast might derive its name from this circumstance, which was the most prominent and observable on such occasions.

And Laban gathered together all the men of the place,.... Of the city of Haran, which may be understood of the chief and principal of them, to make the marriage of his daughter public and authentic:
and made a feast; a marriage or marriage feast, as the Septuagint version, see Matthew 22:2; which was usual, when a marriage was solemnized, expressive of joy on that account.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


Discussion on Genesis 29:22

User discussion of the verse.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.