Pope Shenouda III
Jacob and his uncle Laban
The Holy Bible says about the meeting between Jacob and Rachel: “And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s brother” (Gen.29: 10-12). Thus Jacob called Rachel’s father his brother although he was his mother's brother. The phrase ‘mother’s brother’ was repeated many times in this chapter. The word ‘brother’ was used to mean very near relations.
Laban talked to Jacob in the same manner, saying: "Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nothing?” Tell me, what should your wages be?” (Gen.29: 15) Thus Laban called Jacob his brother although he was his nephew.