Genesis 30:29 kjv

And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.

Genesis 30:29 nkjv

So Jacob said to him, "You know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me.

Genesis 30:29 niv

Jacob said to him, "You know how I have worked for you and how your livestock has fared under my care.

Genesis 30:29 esv

Jacob said to him, "You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has fared with me.

Genesis 30:29 nlt

Jacob replied, "You know how hard I've worked for you, and how your flocks and herds have grown under my care.

Genesis 30 verses

Genesis 30 29 Meaning

Genesis 30:29 captures Jacob’s concise and direct address to Laban, affirming the undeniable truth of his dedicated service and the demonstrable prosperity of Laban’s livestock under his care. Jacob underscores Laban’s full awareness of his faithfulness, highlighting both his personal labor ("how I have served you") and the material outcome of that labor ("how your livestock has been with me"). This statement serves as a factual premise for the ensuing negotiation regarding Jacob's own future remuneration and establishment.

Genesis 30 29 Context

Genesis chapter 30 continues the intricate and often tumultuous narrative of Jacob's sojourn with Laban in Haran. By this point, Jacob has fulfilled fourteen years of labor for his wives, Leah and Rachel, and now seeks to establish his own household and fortune. Verse 29 immediately follows Jacob's request to Laban for leave to return to his own land (Gen 30:25) and Laban's counter-offer for Jacob to remain, recognizing that God's blessing on his own possessions was "for your sake" (Gen 30:27). Jacob’s statement in verse 29 is his foundational response to Laban’s implicit question about what Jacob’s wages should be (Gen 30:28). It sets the stage for a new, contentious agreement where Jacob aims to work for himself rather than merely for Laban’s direct benefit, eventually leading to his ingenious (and divinely guided) breeding practices for compensation.

Historically and culturally, the narrative is set in the ancient Near East, where shepherding was a primary form of wealth and livelihood. Labor contracts often involved extended periods of service in exchange for wives or a portion of the accruing wealth, but written agreements and defined terms were not always meticulously kept, leading to potential exploitation. The dynamics between Jacob and Laban perfectly exemplify this. Jacob, as a pastoral manager, was responsible for the well-being, breeding, and increase of Laban's immense flocks. His declaration highlights his fidelity in this significant role within their societal structure, laying the groundwork for a justified demand for fair recompense amidst a context of cunning negotiation.

Genesis 30 29 Word analysis

• And he said (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyōʾmer): The common Hebrew conjunction waw (וְ, "and") preceding the verb indicates a continuation of the narrative. It emphasizes the direct verbal communication following Laban's inquiry. The subject, "he," is Jacob, continuing the dialogue begun in 30:25.
• to him (אֵלָיו, ʾēlāyw): "To him" refers directly to Laban. This simple phrase underscores the immediate and personal nature of the conversation. Jacob addresses Laban directly, leaving no room for misunderstanding who he is speaking to or about.
• “You know (אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ, ʾattāh yāḏaʿtā):
  • אַתָּה (ʾattāh) - "you" (masculine singular pronoun): Emphatic in Hebrew when used before the verb, stressing Laban's personal, undeniable knowledge.
  • יָדַעְתָּ (yāḏaʿtā) - "you know" (perfect tense of יָדַע, yādaʿ, "to know"): Implies a settled, established knowledge that Laban already possesses. It's not a question but a declarative statement of fact that Laban cannot deny, serving as the cornerstone of Jacob’s argument.
• how I have served you (אֵת אֲשֶׁר עֲבַדְתִּֽיךָ, ʾēt ʾăšer ʿăvaḏtîḵā):
  • עֲבַדְתִּֽיךָ (ʿăvaḏtîḵā) - "I have served you" (perfect tense of עָבַד, ʿāvaḏ, "to work, serve, worship"): The verb ʿāvaḏ primarily denotes physical labor or service. Here it means diligent, consistent work. The "you" is an affixed pronoun directly showing the object of service. This phrase highlights Jacob’s immense personal effort and loyalty over many years, serving not for a common wage but primarily for his family, despite Laban's manipulative practices.
• and how your livestock has been with me” (וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר־הָיָה מִקְנְךָ אִתִּֽי, wəʾēṯ ʾăšer-hāyāh miqnəḵā ʾittî):
  • מִקְנְךָ (miqnəḵā) - "your livestock/possessions" (from מִקְנֶה, miqneh, "livestock, acquired property"): Refers to the herds and flocks, which represented Laban's main wealth. The possessive suffix ךָ (-ka, "your") clearly identifies the owner.
  • הָיָה (hāyāh) - "has been" (perfect tense of הָיָה, hāyāh, "to be, to exist, to happen"): Indicates a state of continuous being or existence with Jacob. It refers to the presence of Laban’s flock under Jacob’s care, implicitly meaning the flock thrived under his stewardship.
  • אִתִּֽי (ʾittî) - "with me": Denotes physical proximity and, more importantly, stewardship or custody. The flock was not just near him, but under his charge and care.

Words-group analysis:

• "You know how I have served you": This phrase functions as an irrefutable appeal to Laban’s own observations and conscience. Jacob isn't boasting but stating an objective, known fact, thus preempting any potential denial from Laban about Jacob’s fidelity or the quality of his work. It underscores a relationship that, from Jacob’s perspective, was characterized by immense effort and integrity on his part, even if marked by Laban’s deception.
• "and how your livestock has been with me": This directly links Jacob’s service to the practical, observable outcome: the flourishing of Laban's livestock. It signifies that Jacob’s presence was a tangible benefit, fulfilling the very purpose of a shepherd’s engagement. The prosperity of the flocks was a visible testimony to Jacob's faithfulness and skill, recognized even by Laban himself in the preceding verse (Gen 30:27). It sets the groundwork for a claim not just for livelihood, but for compensation proportional to the wealth Jacob helped generate.

Genesis 30 29 Bonus section

The underlying principle in Gen 30:29 – a master recognizing the value brought by a faithful servant – resonates throughout the Bible. Laban acknowledged (whether begrudgingly or truly) that "the LORD has blessed me because of you" (Gen 30:27). This reflects a broader theological truth: God blesses the work of the righteous and can use a diligent individual to bring blessings even to those around them. This mirrors the narrative of Joseph in Potiphar's house (Gen 39:5) and later in Egypt, where God’s presence with Joseph brought prosperity to those he served. Jacob's fidelity despite unfair treatment foreshadows how God's people are to work with integrity even when others are unrighteous. The passage implicitly underscores the divine observation of all labor contracts and relationships, suggesting that even if earthly masters might exploit, the Heavenly Master sees and will ensure justice. This lays the groundwork for God's direct intervention in blessing Jacob's efforts, turning Laban's trickery into an avenue for Jacob's prosperity, as later described.

Genesis 30 29 Commentary

Genesis 30:29 presents Jacob's understated yet potent declaration to Laban, laying the foundation for his request for a defined wage. Jacob doesn't enumerate his trials (which he later does in Gen 31), nor does he express resentment; instead, he simply states two undeniable facts that Laban is fully aware of. First, Jacob emphasizes his long and diligent service. This word (ʿāvaḏ) implies a complete devotion to the work, echoing the concept of faithful stewardship. Second, he connects his labor directly to the demonstrable prosperity of Laban's vast flocks under his personal care. The Hebrew מִקְנֶה (miqneh), refers to acquired property, signifying that Jacob not only maintained but evidently increased Laban’s wealth significantly.

This verse subtly highlights a contrast: Jacob's honest and indefatigable service versus Laban's known history of manipulative practices (cf. changing Jacob's wages ten times, Gen 31:7). By reminding Laban of his own certain knowledge, Jacob makes any protest from Laban difficult, creating a moral and factual leverage point for the negotiation that follows. It positions Jacob not as a demanding laborer, but as a righteous steward simply stating undeniable facts, expecting a fair, deserved recompense. It also tacitly acknowledges God's blessing on Jacob, which indirectly brought prosperity to Laban, setting the stage for Jacob to receive his due, as orchestrated by divine providence. This episode emphasizes biblical themes of labor, justice, the employer-employee relationship, and the Lord's vindication of the diligent.