Old Testament · Major figure
Laban
The brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel who became Jacob's father-in-law and employer.
Laban was a patriarch in Paddan Aram whose interactions with his nephew Jacob highlight themes of deception, covenant, and divine providence. He famously tricked Jacob into marrying Leah before Rachel, leading to years of labor and eventual conflict. Their relationship concludes with the establishment of a boundary marker at Galeed, signifying a formal covenant between them.
In the text
- Verses
- 45
- Books
- 2
- First appears
- Genesis 24:29
- Last appears
- Deuteronomy 1:1
Where Laban appears
45 verses · 9 chaptersIn the same books
- Lot33 versesThe nephew of Abraham who chose to settle in Sodom and was later rescued by angels before its destruction.
- Ephron10 versesA Hittite landowner who sold the cave of Machpelah to Abraham for the burial of Sarah.
- Mamre10 versesAn Amorite chieftain who was an ally of Abram and provided land for his encampment near Hebron.
- Leah32 versesThe eldest daughter of Laban and first wife of Jacob, who became the mother of six of Israel's twelve tribes.
- Rebekah30 versesThe wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau, instrumental in fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.
- Hagar12 versesAn Egyptian handmaid to Sarah who bore Ishmael to Abraham and experienced God's provision in the wilderness.
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