Laban has two daughters, Leah (“cow”) and Rachel (“ewe lamb”) (29:15–30). Rachel is the younger and the one Jacob finds more attractive. Jacob’s suggestion that he work seven years in return for her hand in marriage is a magnanimous offer. He goes to this extreme in hopes of guaranteeing his marriage with Rachel. Laban agrees to the proposal (29:19).

On the night of the wedding feast, Laban manages to substitute Leah for Rachel. It is unlikely that a heavily veiled Leah could dupe Jacob. Probably Laban was able to succeed only because Jacob was drunk. We are not told about Leah. Was she drunk too? Did she have any say in the matter? Did she believe she was entitled to marry Jacob? Or does she passively submit to her father’s orders? There can be no doubt that this scenario contrasts with…