Laban
Son of Bethuel, father of Rachel and Leah, in the age of the patriarchs. Named in scripture at Genesis 24:29.
What we know — and how we know it
Where in scripture
GenesisRebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.
Genesis 24:29
Then Laban and Bethuel answered, “The thing proceeds from Yahweh. We can’t speak to you bad or good.
Genesis 24:50
Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.
Genesis 25:20
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran.
Genesis 27:43
Arise, go to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father. Take a wife from there from the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.
Genesis 28:2
Isaac sent Jacob away. He went to Paddan Aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, Rebekah’s brother, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
Genesis 28:5
He commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: ‘This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now.
Genesis 32:4
These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob, even sixteen souls.
Genesis 46:18
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 15 recorded sayings
“And he said to him, Come in, you on whom is the blessing of the Lord; why are you waiting outside? for I have made the house ready for you, and a place for the camels.” — Genesis 24:31
“And meat was put before him, but he said, I will not take food till I have made my business clear to you. And they said, Do so.” — Genesis 24:33
“Then Laban and Bethuel said in answer, This is the Lord's doing: it is not for us to say Yes or No to you. See, here is Rebekah: take her and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as the Lord has said.” — Genesis 24:50-51
“But her brother and her mother said, Let the girl be with us a week or ten days, and then she may go.” — Genesis 24:55
“And they said, We will send for the girl, and let her make the decision. And they sent for Rebekah and said to her, Are you ready to go with this man? And she said, I am ready.” — Genesis 24:57-58
“And they gave Rebekah their blessing, saying, O sister, may you be the mother of thousands and ten thousands; and may your seed overcome all those who make war against them.” — Genesis 24:60
“And Laban said to him, Truly, you are my bone and my flesh. And he kept Jacob with him for the space of a month. Then Laban said to Jacob, Because you are my brother are you to be my servant for nothing? say now, what is your payment to be?” — Genesis 29:14-15
“And Laban said, It is better for you to have her than another man: go on living here with me.” — Genesis 29:19
…and 7 more recorded sayings.
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).