Jacob and Rachel

In Chapter 49 of Far From The Madding Crowd Boldwood finds relief in the Biblical story of Rachel and Jacob and decides to wait for the termination of Bathsheba's waiting period. 

The Biblical Story 

Jacob fell in love with Rachel and wished to marry her.  Rachel's father Laban, agreed on the condition that Jacob work for him for seven years.
Jacob gladly accepted because of his love for Rachel.  However, after the seven years were completed, Laban deceived him and gave him Rachel's elder sister, Leah as his wife.  To marry Rachel as well, Jacob had to serve Laban for another seven years.

Thus, Jacob served twice seven years for the woman he loved.

In the novel Bathsheba never proposes to Boldwood. Instead, Boldwood secretly extracts Bathsheba's intention from her maid Liddy. Boldwood finds relief in this piece of information, and hopes that after twice the seven years Bathsheba would marry him.  Boldwood's waiting is based on his whim, and not based on any promise.
The biblical comparison shows the depth his devotion; it also shows the pathos of his situation.




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