Keraia
Genesis 30

Genesis 30:26

Jacob Prospers · Genesis 30:25–43
Read Genesis 30

Translations

Modern
Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.”
Traditional
Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.
Literal
Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served you, and I will go. For you—you know my service which I have served you.”
Latin
Da mihi uxores, et liberos meos, pro quibus servivi tibi, ut abeam: tu nosti servitutem qua servivi tibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.”

Notes

Genesis 30:25–34

After working for fourteen years, Jacob asked Laban if he could return home. The two nomadic leaders negotiated politely but stayed cautious. Laban wanted more from Jacob, while Jacob wanted to earn his wages through selective breeding.

Genesis 29:1–31:55

  • These chapters describe how God fulfilled his promise by greatly blessing Jacob with a family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction.

  • The story of Jacob and Laban is similar to Israel's later stay in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the 12 tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of 12 large tribes and escaping with great riches.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Jacob Symbolic Numbers

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Jacob Maid, Maiden Mandrake Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Rachel: Her Grief in Consequence of Her Sterility Servant: Hired: Jacob