King James Version

What Does Genesis 29:27 Mean?

Genesis 29:27 in the King James Version says “Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.”

Genesis 29:27 · KJV

Context

25

And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

26

And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. country: Heb. place

27

Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28

And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

29

And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

Read Genesis 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet ... 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. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How should this truth about Children shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
מַלֵּ֖א1 of 16

“Fulfil”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

שְׁבֻ֣עַ2 of 16

“week”

H7620

literally, sevened, i.e., a week (specifically, of years)

זֹ֗את3 of 16

“her”

H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְנִתְּנָ֨ה4 of 16

“and we will give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֜5 of 16
H0
גַּם6 of 16
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת7 of 16
H853

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

זֹ֗את8 of 16

“her”

H2063

this (often used adverb)

בַּֽעֲבֹדָה֙9 of 16

“thee this also for the service”

H5656

work of any kind

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תַּֽעֲבֹ֣ד11 of 16

“which thou shalt serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

עִמָּדִ֔י12 of 16
H5978

along with

ע֖וֹד13 of 16
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

שֶֽׁבַע14 of 16

“with me yet seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שָׁנִ֥ים15 of 16

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אֲחֵרֽוֹת׃16 of 16

“other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

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 29:27 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 29:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 18:18Judges 14:12Genesis 2:2-3Malachi 2:15Judges 14:10Genesis 8:10-12

Test Your Knowledge

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

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