Leaving Home
Along with an overview of significant snippets, I’ve interleaved the meanings of the Hebrew names.
This story picks up after the rift between Jacob and Esau over the birthright and blessing issue. Jacob came from Beer-Sheba -meaning the well of the oath. It signifies that the Holy Spirit (Jacob) came as a result of God's oath --His promise. The promise is that His Spirit will never leave us or give up on us when we receive His offer of eternal life. Here, eternal life is represented by living (fresh) water. It’s reminiscent of the story about the woman at the well where Jesus referred to Himself as living water.
Jacob was sent to Haran where his uncle Laban (and daughters) lived. Haran is descriptive of our lives being like a desert. The Holy Spirit comes to us in that state of mere existence.
Haran means a parched or dried up place.
On the evening of that first day after leaving home, Jacob laid down with his head on a stone. While asleep, he saw a vision of angels on stairs going between heaven and earth. It was then that God told him that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth. When he awoke, Jacob said the place was the house of God, the gateway of heaven. And he built an altar and named the place Bethel.
Bethel means the house of God.
Jacob and Rachael Meet
As he traveled, Jacob met some shepherds by a well that had a large stone covering its mouth. They were waiting for other shepherds to arrive so that together they could roll the stone away and then water their sheep. He asked the shepherds if they knew his uncle Laban. They did.
Laban means white. Although white typically represents righteousness, in this allegory Laban is indicative of self-righteousness.
About that time Laban’s daughter Rachael was coming toward them, herding her father's flock of sheep. Upon seeing her, Jacob saw that she was beautiful; it was love at first sight. All by himself, the infatuated young man rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and then he ran up to her and kissed her.
Rachael's name means ewe –a female sheep; it also means one who travels well. How appropriate for a shepherdess to have a name which basically means a female sheep traveling at peace with other sheep.
The Women
Rachael went to her father with the good news about the new found relative. Laban asked Jacob to stay and work for him. Actually, Laban told Jacob that if he wanted to marry Rachael, then he would have to work for seven years. When the time was up, Jacob asked for his wife to be to be given to him. Laban agreed, but on the wedding night he switched daughters and sent Leah into the honeymoon bed.
Leah means "weak eyes" -she was the homely one and probably squinted.
The custom was such that if a woman was being given in marriage and she had a maidservant, then the maidservant was part of the marriage package. Leah’s maidservant was Zilpah.
Zilpah means "a drop of fragrance."
In the morning Jacob was angry about the switch and demanded to have the daughter he bargained for. Laban agreed to give him Rachael, and her maidservant Bilhah, once the bridal week with Leah was complete, but it also cost working for seven more years. At the week's end Jacob had four women belonging to him. Over the years, each of the women had children.
Bilhah means "timid;" it's about being terrified.
The Children
Leah began the family by having four sons.
The first was called Rueben which means the Lord has seen my affliction. Leah was expressing the fact that she wasn't loved by her husband; rather, Jacob loved Rachael.
Next was Simeon. His name explained her inner cry: "The Lord heard that I was hated."
Then there was Levi. His name told of Leah’s hope that "her husband would be joined with her" in love.
And Judah -"I will praise the Lord"- was the fourth child.
Although she could not conceive, Rachael jealously wanted children. She provided her maidservant Bilhah to become a surrogate mother.
Her first son was named Dan, meaning "God has heard and vindicated me."
The second son was Napthali -"I have struggled with my sister and won."
Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant had two sons.
Gad means "good fortune."
Asher means "I will be called happy."
Leah had more children.
There was Issachar -"he will bring a reward."
Followed by Zebulun which means "waiting or hesitation;" it also means "my husband will treat me with honor."
Diana was Leah’s last; she is the only daughter mentioned. Her name means "justice."
Finally, Rachael had two sons.
Joseph -"God has taken away my disgrace"- was first.
She died in childbirth with the last one. She named him Ben-Omi meaning "son of my trouble;" however, Jacob called him Benjamin meaning "son of my right hand."
Next: The Story Explained...