Jacob with Laban, and the Wrestling

Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, while Rachel is said to have been beautiful. Jacob, captivated by her beauty, burned with love for the virgin; he asked her father for her in marriage and bound himself to serve seven years. But when the time was up, Leah was passed off on him instead, and he had to serve another seven years, after which Rachel was given to him. We are told, however, that she was barren for a long time, while Leah bore children. These are the names of the sons Jacob had by Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, and a daughter, Dinah. Gad and Asher were born to him by Leah’s maid, and Dan and Naphtali by Rachel’s maid. Then Rachel, after she had given up hope of children, bore Joseph. [a]

After that, Jacob wanted to return to his father. Laban his father-in-law had given him part of the flock as wages for his service, but Jacob, his son-in-law, thought he was not dealing fairly in the matter, and suspected him of trickery besides; so he left secretly, about the thirtieth year after he had come. Without her husband’s knowledge, Rachel stole her father’s idols, and because of this wrong Laban went after his son-in-law. But he did not find his idols, and after they were reconciled he went back, having strictly charged his son-in-law not to take other wives besides his daughters.

Then Jacob, going on his way, is said to have had a vision of angels and of the army of the Lord. But as his route took him past the region of Edom, where his brother Esau lived, he was wary of Esau’s temper and first sent messengers and gifts to test him. Then he went to meet his brother, though he took care not to trust him any further than he had to. On the day before the brothers were to meet, God is said to have taken a human form and wrestled with Jacob. And though Jacob prevailed with God, he was well aware that his opponent was no mere mortal, and so he begged to be blessed by him. Then God changed his name, so that instead of Jacob he was called Israel. But when he in turn asked God for God’s name, he was told that it should not be asked about, because it was wonderful. And from that wrestling, the broad part of Jacob’s thigh shrank.