King James Version

What Does Genesis 29:11 Mean?

Genesis 29:11 in the King James Version says “And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.”

Genesis 29:11 · KJV

Context

9

And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.

10

And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.

11

And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12

And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.

13

And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. tidings: Heb. hearing

Read Genesis 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
וַיִּשַּׁ֥ק1 of 7

“kissed”

H5401

to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons

יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב2 of 7

“And Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

לְרָחֵ֑ל3 of 7

“Rachel”

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

וַיִּשָּׂ֥א4 of 7

“and lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת5 of 7
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

קֹל֖וֹ6 of 7

“his voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וַיֵּֽבְךְּ׃7 of 7

“and wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 29:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 29:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 33:4Genesis 43:30Genesis 45:14-15Genesis 45:2Romans 16:16Genesis 27:26

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 29 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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