Génesis 29:5 Comentario: Chizkuni, Ramban, Kli Yakar & Radak

לבן בן נחור, Lavan’s father Bethuel, was some kind of an outcast, as opposed to his grandfather. This is why the Torah here mentions only Nachor. When Lavan had moved to Charan, his father had already died, and no one there had known him. The local inhabitants welcomed Lavan on account of his well known grandfather Nachor.

KNOW YE LABAN THE SON OF NAHOR? Laban was recognized and known by the name of his father’s father Nahor since Nahor was more important than Laban’s father [Bethuel], and he was the head of their family, as it is written, the G-d of Abraham and the G-d of Nahor.⁶⁶Further, 31:53. [Thus, Laban being the son of Bethuel,⁶⁷Above, 28:5. was nevertheless known by his father’s father’s name, Nahor.]⁶⁸Ibid., 22:22. It is possible that Bethuel was a dishonorable person, and Laban wanted people to ascribe his lineage only to his father’s father, for so we find, And Laban and Bethuel answered.⁶⁹Above, 24:50. [Laban is thus mentioned before his father, which indicates that Bethuel was not regarded as the head of the family.] Perhaps all this is in honor of Abraham for [by virtue of Laban’s being known by Nahor’s name], the whole family traced its lineage to Nahor the brother of Abraham,⁷⁰Ibid., 22:23. [and thus demonstrated its connection with its illustrious relative Abraham].

“Do you know Laban son of Nahor?” Why doesn’t it say “Laban son of Bethuel,” and instead of their response we know why doesn’t it say “we know him”? It appears that Jacob wasn’t asking if they were familiar with him or not, as he assumed it was obvious that local residents would know him. Rather, he was inquiring about Laban’s character and lineage. Regarding his character, he asked if Laban took after Nahor, who was an innocent and upright man, or after his father Bethuel the deceiver, who was known to violate all virgins. Thus he asked, Do you know Laban — is he like the son of Nahor, resembling him in his nature? They responded we know, meaning that he is indeed Nahor’s son, following his ways and resembling him in his deeds. Regarding his lineage, Jacob asked if he was truly born from Nahor, Abraham’s brother, for perhaps his mother had conceived him from another man. He wanted to know if there were any rumors about his mother, similar to how there were rumors about Bethuel who violated all virgins. Jacob was concerned that perhaps Bethuel’s wife had also been unfaithful and Laban was born from another man, and thus not truly descended from Nahor. They responded we know, confirming that he was definitely Nahor’s son, as there had been no hint of impropriety regarding his mother. When Jacob asked them Is he well? it was because he knew that all the local people were wicked, and if Laban was righteous according to their words, then presumably he would not be at peace due to the wicked people who typically provoke the righteous. They responded He is well, and behold, his daughter Rachel was coming with the sheep — and if he hadn’t been at peace, he wouldn’t have sent his daughter among the shepherds for fear they would abuse her.