Man living at the time of the Patriarchs
Laban
Rebekah’s brother, from Nahor’s family in Paddan Aram, who welcomed Abraham’s servant and arranged her marriage to Isaac (Genesis 24:29–51; 25:20). He was the father of Leah and Rachel. When Jacob fled to him, Laban took him in, and Jacob served seven years for Rachel. On the wedding night Laban gave him Leah instead, and when Jacob protested, “Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said it was not the custom to give the younger before the firstborn, and made him work seven more years for Rachel (Genesis 29:13–30).
Jacob stayed with him twenty years, and their dealings over wages and flocks grew tense (Genesis 30:25–31:42). When Jacob left secretly, Laban pursued him and they made a covenant at Mizpah (Genesis 31:43–55).
Family
- Father
- Bethuel
- Children
- Rachel, Leah