From this point in the story, Jacob enters into a new relationship with Laban. While Laban remains his uncle, he is now Jacob’s father-in-law; and in many cultures this new relationship overrides all other relationships. In some languages there is a special form of address that a man is required to use when speaking with his father-in-law, and that must be used from this point on. Likewise Laban must use the appropriate form of address for a son-in-law when addressing Jacob. In some languages this also extends to the way a narrator tells a story, so that, for example, the narrator will not say “Jacob said to Laban” but “Jacob said to his father-in-law.”

Give me my wife that I may go in to her: Jacob refers to Rachel as my wife, although the marriage celebration has not yet taken place. In some languages the same term is used for a woman who is formally engaged or betrothed to a man, as for a woman who is actually married. However, in other languages it will be more acceptable to say “Give me your daughter.” Go in to her refers to having sex; however, in this context it is better expressed as “marry her.” We may translate “Give me your daughter to be my wife,” “Let me marry your daughter.”

For my time is completed: Jacob refers to the end of the seven-year work contract. Translators may find it better to place this information at the beginning of the verse; for example, “My seven years are finished, so let me marry your daughter” or “I have worked for you for seven years. Give me my woman so I can marry her.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .