Laban
Laban is Rebekah's brother and Jacob's uncle and father-in-law.
Laban is a figure in the Book of Genesis, introduced as the brother of Rebekah (Genesis 24:29) and the son of Bethuel the Syrian (Genesis 28:5). He is also identified as the son of Nahor (Genesis 29:5) and the father of Leah and Rachel (Genesis 29:16). Laban lives in Haran (Genesis 27:43) and Padanaram (Genesis 28:2), and he becomes the uncle and later father-in-law of Jacob.
Quick Facts
- Brother of rebekah
- Genesis 24:29
- Son of bethuel
- Genesis 28:5
- Son of nahor
- Genesis 29:5
- Resides in haran
- Genesis 27:43
- Resides in padanaram
- Genesis 28:2
Lore & Background
Laban first appears when he runs out to meet Abraham's servant at the well (Genesis 24:29). Along with Bethuel, he acknowledges that Rebekah's marriage to Isaac is from the LORD (Genesis 24:50). Later, Jacob flees to Laban in Haran at Rebekah's instruction (Genesis 27:43) and is sent by Isaac to take a wife from Laban's daughters (Genesis 28:2). When Jacob arrives, Laban welcomes him as 'my bone and my flesh' (Genesis 29:14) and employs him as a shepherd (Genesis 29:15). Laban deceives Jacob by substituting Leah for Rachel on the wedding night (Genesis 29:25), explaining that local custom forbids giving the younger before the firstborn (Genesis 29:26). He gives his maids Zilpah to Leah (Genesis 29:24) and Bilhah to Rachel (Genesis 29:29). After Jacob's sons are born, Jacob asks to leave, but Laban persuades him to stay, acknowledging that the LORD has blessed him for Jacob's sake (Genesis 30:27). They later make a bargain regarding the flocks (Genesis 30:34), but Laban's attitude shifts as Jacob prospers (Genesis 31:2). Laban's sons accuse Jacob of taking their father's wealth (Genesis 31:1), and God tells Jacob He has seen all that Laban does to him (Genesis 31:12).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Laban as a complex figure: initially hospitable and welcoming to Jacob (Genesis 29:13-14), but also shrewd and self-interested. He bargains over wages (Genesis 29:15) and deceives Jacob about Leah (Genesis 29:25-26). Laban acknowledges divine blessing through Jacob (Genesis 30:27) yet later grows hostile as Jacob's flocks increase (Genesis 31:2). His actions drive the narrative of Jacob's exile and return, showing a man who both benefits from and resents Jacob's success.
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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