Laban

The grandnephew of Abraham and brother of Rebekah. Laban’s family remained near Haran when Abraham left to go to Canaan. Years later, Abraham wanted a wife for his son Isaac. He sent his most trusted servant back to his relatives near Haran—to the home of Laban’s family.

After many years, Jacob, the son of Rebekah and Isaac, ran away to Haran because his brother, Esau, was very angry with him. Jacob fell in love with Laban’s daughter Rachel. He agreed to work for Laban seven years in order to earn Rachel as his bride. But Laban tricked Jacob and sent Leah, his older daughter, to be Jacob’s wife instead. Jacob asked to work seven more years in order to have Rachel as his wife also. Laban agreed, and Rachel and Jacob were married. After the second seven-year period, Jacob worked for six more years. When he decided to leave, Laban tried to trick him again by cheating Jacob of the wages he had earned. Jacob outsmarted Laban before leaving.