The Meaning of Genesis 29:21 Explained

Genesis 29:21

KJV: And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

YLT: And Jacob saith unto Laban, 'Give up my wife, for my days have been fulfilled, and I go in unto her;'

Darby: And Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.

ASV: And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Jacob  said  unto Laban,  Give  [me] my wife,  for my days  are fulfilled,  that I may go in  unto her. 

What does Genesis 29:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 29:21-35 - Jacob Marries Leah And Rachel
The chief lesson of this paragraph is its illustration of the awful nemesis which accompanies wrongdoing. No thoughtful person can watch the events of history or experience without realizing that we are already standing before the judgment-seat of God, and that His sentences are in process of being executed. Jacob deceived his father, and was himself deceived. "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." What disappointments there are in life! We think that we are to be dowered with Rachel, and lo! Leah is substituted; but in after-days Jacob spoke of Reuben as his might, the beginning of his dignity and excellency. The names of Leah's sons suggest the blessings that accrue through heartbreak. For the Leahs of the world there are great compensations. God remembers and hears them. Brokenhearted and forsaken, they live again in the lives of those whom they have borne either naturally or spiritually. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 29

1  Jacob comes to the well of Haran
9  He becomes acquainted with Rachel
13  Laban entertains him
18  Jacob covenants for Rachel
23  He is deceived by Laban with Leah
28  He marries also Rachel, and serves for her seven years more
32  Leah bears Reuben;
33  Simeon;
34  Levi;
35  and Judah

What do the individual words in Genesis 29:21 mean?

And said Jacob to Laban Give [me] - my wife for are fulfilled my days that I may go in to her
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יַעֲקֹ֤ב אֶל־ לָבָן֙ הָבָ֣ה אֶת־ אִשְׁתִּ֔י כִּ֥י מָלְא֖וּ יָמָ֑י וְאָב֖וֹאָה אֵלֶֽיהָ

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר  And  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יַעֲקֹ֤ב  Jacob 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יַעֲקֹב  
Sense: son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 2 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel.
לָבָן֙  Laban 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: לָבָן 
Sense: son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel.
הָבָ֣ה  Give  [me] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: הַב 
Sense: to give, provide, ascribe, come.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אִשְׁתִּ֔י  my  wife 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אִשָּׁה  
Sense: woman, wife, female.
מָלְא֖וּ  are  fulfilled 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: מָלֵא 
Sense: to fill, be full.
יָמָ֑י  my  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
וְאָב֖וֹאָה  that  I  may  go  in 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
אֵלֶֽיהָ  to  her 
Parse: Preposition, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).