Laban

Laban (meaning white; shining), son of Bethuel and grandson of Nahor, Abraham's brother, was the Aramean kinsman of the patriarchs who lived at Haran in Mesopotamia. He was the brother of Rebekah (Gen. 24:29) and the father of Leah and Rachel. Jacob served Laban fourteen years for his two daughters and six more years for his flocks, during which time Laban repeatedly changed Jacob's wages (Gen. 31:41). Despite his exploitation, Laban acknowledged that the LORD had blessed him on Jacob's account (Gen. 30:27). Their relationship ended with a covenant at Mizpah (Gen. 31:44–55). Laban's household gods (teraphim) stolen by Rachel and his anxious pursuit of Jacob reveal his attachment to family cult objects alongside nominal acknowledgment of the patriarchal God.