Genesis 30:34 kjv

And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.

Genesis 30:34 nkjv

And Laban said, "Oh, that it were according to your word!"

Genesis 30:34 niv

"Agreed," said Laban. "Let it be as you have said."

Genesis 30:34 esv

Laban said, "Good! Let it be as you have said."

Genesis 30:34 nlt

"All right," Laban replied. "It will be as you say."

Genesis 30 verses

Genesis 30 34 Meaning

Genesis 30:34 records Laban's immediate assent to Jacob's unusual proposal regarding his wages. Jacob had offered to take only the spotted, speckled, and dark-colored animals born in the flocks as his compensation, on the condition that all currently marked animals were removed from the flock. Laban's swift agreement, encapsulated in this verse, indicates his belief that this arrangement heavily favored him, as such animals were traditionally rare in flocks of that region. It set the stage for a period where Laban attempted to manipulate the terms further, while God's sovereign hand intervened to prosper Jacob.

Genesis 30 34 Context

Genesis chapter 30 primarily details Jacob's continued service to Laban, the birth of more children through his wives and their maidservants, and then Jacob's eventual desire to build his own household wealth independent of Laban. After completing fourteen years of labor for Rachel and Leah, Jacob requests to be sent away with his family (Gen 30:25). Laban, having witnessed his own prosperity due to Jacob's presence (Gen 30:27), attempts to retain him. When pressed for wages, Jacob proposes an unusual, self-regulating system based on the coloring of the offspring of Laban's flock, asking only for the speckled, spotted, or black sheep and goats. The preceding verses (30:25-33) explain Jacob's request and the rationale for his specific demand. Verse 34 then serves as Laban's swift and seemingly agreeable response to this proposal, setting the immediate terms for Jacob's next phase of labor and marking a pivotal point in the struggle for wealth and influence between Jacob and Laban.

Historically, this period reflects the complex socio-economic realities of pastoral life in the Ancient Near East, where livestock represented primary wealth and prosperity. Agreements between kinsmen or individuals often involved detailed arrangements concerning the care and distribution of flocks, highlighting the legal and practical importance of such contracts. Laban's character, previously established as cunning and deceptive, plays into this context, where his quick "yes" likely masks a perceived opportunity for himself, which God, however, turned for Jacob's good.

Genesis 30 34 Word analysis

• ויאמר (Vai'yo'mer): "And he said." This is a common Hebrew conjunction-verb construction ("waw consecutive imperfect") used to continue narrative flow. It immediately links Laban's statement to Jacob's preceding proposal, indicating an immediate response. The Hebrew implies a direct, perhaps even eager, pronouncement.
• לבן (Lavan): "Laban." The proper name of Jacob's uncle and father-in-law. His character in Genesis is consistently portrayed as cunning, self-interested, and opportunistic. His agreement here must be viewed through the lens of his established character, implying a strategic rather than purely benevolent response.
• הן (Hen): "Behold," "indeed," "truly," "yes," "good." This is an emphatic interjection, often used to introduce something important or to affirm. In this context, it functions as a strong affirmation or an agreement marker. It expresses Laban's swift and apparently willing acceptance, signaling that from his perspective, this was a favorable deal for him. It can be translated as "Good!" or "Alright!" or "Indeed!".
• לו יהי (Lo yehi): "Let it be," "it shall be," "so let it be." This is a common Hebrew phrase expressing a volitional or declarative wish or command, similar to "fiat" in Latin. It formally expresses assent, giving authority for the proposed action to proceed. The combination with "hen" underscores the apparent eagerness of Laban's acceptance.
• כדברך (kidvar'kha): "According to your word," "as you have spoken."
  • כ (k'-): A preposition meaning "as," "like," "according to," "in the manner of." It signifies conformity or agreement with what precedes.
  • דברך (dvar'kha): "Your word," "your statement," "what you have said." Derived from the noun davar (word, matter, thing) with the second person singular masculine suffix (your). It precisely indicates that Laban is agreeing to Jacob's specific, stated terms. This phrase is key as it directly acknowledges the precise terms set by Jacob, making Laban fully aware and assenting to them, despite his subsequent attempts to manipulate them.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• ויאמר לבן הן: "And Laban said, 'Indeed!'" This opening highlights Laban's quick and apparently positive response. The use of hen ("indeed" / "good!") portrays Laban's perception that this agreement will greatly benefit him, revealing his greedy nature. It's an affirmation born of perceived self-interest rather than generosity or fairness.
• לו יהי כדברך: "Let it be as you have said." This phrase represents Laban's formal and clear agreement to Jacob's proposition. While appearing straightforward, given Laban's past actions, this immediate and full compliance to Jacob's peculiar terms signals his intent to take advantage of what he sees as an incredibly generous offer by Jacob. This setup paradoxically becomes the means through which God intervenes to demonstrate His faithfulness to Jacob, subverting Laban's greedy expectations. The very specific nature of Jacob's proposal is here fully accepted, providing a binding framework that Laban would later try to circumvent.

Genesis 30 34 Bonus section

The seemingly superstitious method Jacob employs later (placing peeled branches before the mating animals, Gen 30:37-42) should be understood not as the actual mechanism of blessing, but as Jacob's initial human attempt to manipulate the conditions, much like Laban. However, the true efficacy comes from God's direct intervention, as confirmed later to Jacob in a dream (Gen 31:10-12), where God reveals it was He who showed Jacob how the male animals were spotted and streaked, not the branches. This divine revelation clarifies that Jacob's eventual immense wealth in flocks was a result of God remembering Laban's oppression and justly favoring Jacob, fulfilling His promise to be with him and make him fruitful. Thus, Laban's apparent win in verse 34 ultimately backfired due to God's steadfast loyalty to Jacob.

Genesis 30 34 Commentary

Genesis 30:34 is a pivotal moment demonstrating Laban's self-serving character and setting the stage for divine intervention. Laban's immediate "Good, let it be as you have said" reflects his acute perception that Jacob's proposed wage system heavily favored him. Jacob, requesting only the distinctively colored, traditionally rarer offspring, seemingly handed Laban a substantial advantage, securing the vast majority of the "pure" flocks. Laban's swift consent, marked by the emphatic "hen," stems not from generosity or trust, but from his inherent greed and his belief that he could profit immensely from what seemed a negligible payment to Jacob.

However, the Bible narrative consistently illustrates that human schemes often fail when they conflict with God's sovereign purpose. This agreement, while seemingly disadvantageous for Jacob and ripe for Laban's exploitation (as evidenced by Laban's subsequent act of immediately removing all marked animals in verse 35 to prevent Jacob from receiving anything initially), becomes the very arena through which God showcases His faithfulness and ability to bless Jacob despite, and even through, human treachery. God turns Laban's cunning into a pathway for Jacob's miraculous prosperity (Gen 31:7-12), ensuring His covenant promises endure, highlighting that true blessing comes from divine favor, not human manipulation or calculated advantage. This verse, therefore, is a testament to the fact that while men plot and agree, it is God who orchestrates the outcome, often using the very greed of the oppressor to prosper the righteous.