Genesis 31:41 kjv

Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Genesis 31:41 nkjv

Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.

Genesis 31:41 niv

It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times.

Genesis 31:41 esv

These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.

Genesis 31:41 nlt

Yes, for twenty years I slaved in your house! I worked for fourteen years earning your two daughters, and then six more years for your flock. And you changed my wages ten times!

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 41 Meaning

Genesis 31:41 expresses Jacob's summary of his arduous service under Laban, revealing the profound injustice he endured. For twenty years, Jacob served in Laban's household, diligently laboring for his wives and flocks. This period was marked by Laban's repeated deceit, specifically in altering Jacob's agreed-upon wages no less than ten times. It highlights Laban's unscrupulous character and serves as a powerful testament to Jacob's steadfast endurance and the ultimate faithfulness of God who watched over him amidst exploitation.

Genesis 31 41 Context

Genesis chapter 31 describes Jacob's departure from Laban after twenty years of service and his flight with his wives, children, and flocks towards Canaan. Years earlier, Jacob had fled Esau's wrath and found refuge with his uncle Laban in Paddan Aram, serving first for his wives and then for flocks, aiming to gain wealth before returning to his homeland. Despite Jacob's diligent service, Laban repeatedly exploited him, changing his terms of compensation. The immediate context of verse 41 is a tense confrontation between Jacob and Laban (Gen 31:36-42), who has pursued Jacob, suspecting him of theft. Jacob vehemently defends himself, accusing Laban of unfairness and deceit, revealing the full extent of the injustice he suffered. This particular verse forms part of Jacob's impassioned and detailed rebuke of Laban, justifying his clandestine departure and highlighting God's role in his deliverance and prosperity despite human treachery. Historically, this period reflects the importance of oral covenants, patriarchal authority, and the accumulation of wealth in livestock in the ancient Near East, where unjust practices were not uncommon. Jacob's complaint implicitly presents a polemic against such exploitative practices, underscoring that God ultimately judges and rectifies human injustice.

Genesis 31 41 Word analysis

• Thus have I been twenty years (עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה, 'esrim shana):
  • This phrase emphasizes the longevity and significant portion of Jacob's life (estimated mid-50s at this point) spent under Laban's control. It speaks to a commitment of endurance far beyond typical terms of service.
  • This long duration underlines the profound sacrifice Jacob made, driven initially by love for Rachel and then by the necessity of building his own household and wealth.
• in thy house (בְּבֵיתֶךָ, b'veytekha):
  • Signifies Jacob's subordinate status and lack of independent domain during this period. He was not a free agent but lived under Laban's direct authority and oversight.
  • This dependence heightens the injustice of Laban's actions, as Jacob was effectively held captive by circumstances and familial obligations, making it difficult for him to leave earlier.
• I served thee (עֲבַדְתִּיךָ, 'avadtiykha):
  • Derived from the Hebrew verb עבד ('avad), meaning "to serve, work, be a servant/slave." It strongly implies diligent labor and dedication.
  • The emphasis is on active, personal service, underscoring Jacob's intense effort and faithfulness in performing his duties for Laban's benefit, directly contrasting with Laban's faithlessness.
• fourteen years for thy two daughters:
  • This specific period highlights the original familial covenant: Jacob's service for wives, not primarily wealth. This was the initial basis of their agreement, demonstrating Jacob's devotion and fulfilling his part of the bargain.
  • It points to the unique nature of matrimonial arrangements in that culture, where labor could be rendered in lieu of a bride-price (mohar).
• and six years for thy cattle:
  • This refers to the subsequent phase of service focused on wealth accumulation for Jacob's own family. Despite being in charge of Laban's animals, Jacob was building his own stake from the offspring, according to Laban's changing terms (Gen 30:31-34).
  • The term צֹאנְךָ (tzo'ankha) encompasses sheep and goats, which were the primary measure of wealth and means of livelihood in this nomadic pastoral society. Jacob's skill and God's blessing are implicit in his ability to make these flocks thrive, further exacerbating Laban's avarice.
• and thou hast changed my wages (וַתַּחֲלֵף אֶת־מַשְׂכֻּרְתִּי, vattachalef 'et-maskurti):
  • The verb חָלַף (chalaf) means "to pass away, change, renew, replace." Here, it signifies Laban's repeated alteration of the agreement, always to Jacob's disadvantage. It implies a pattern of dishonesty and breach of contract.
  • מַשְׂכֻּרְתִּי (maskurti) refers to "my wages" or "my reward." Laban consistently manipulated the terms of Jacob's compensation, denying him his rightful earnings.
  • This is the core of Jacob's grievance and represents Laban's deceitful character, violating norms of justice and fairness common to the ancient Near East, which Israelite law would later condemn (Lev 19:13, Deut 24:14-15).
• ten times (עֶשֶׂר מֹנִים, 'eser monim):
  • This can be taken literally as ten distinct occasions of changed terms (e.g., changes to which speckled/spotted animals would be Jacob's as noted in Gen 31:7, implying each shift was a new betrayal).
  • Alternatively, it can be a numerical idiom indicating "many times," or "repeatedly," emphasizing the sheer number and egregious nature of Laban's betrayals. In either interpretation, it underlines the scale of Laban's dishonesty.
  • The repeated transgression illustrates a deliberate pattern of exploitation, designed to keep Jacob subservient and poor.

Genesis 31 41 Bonus section

• Jacob, the "heel-grabber" and a man who once deceived his own father and brother, now experiences profound deception himself. This period of being out-tricked by Laban is often seen as part of God's sanctification process for Jacob, teaching him reliance on divine favor rather than human craftiness.
• The phrase "ten times" echoes Israel's future experience in the wilderness, where they often tested God "ten times" (Num 14:22). Here, it is Laban who tests Jacob's endurance, revealing his character and making God's subsequent intervention more prominent.
• This verse provides a crucial foundation for the covenant made later in the chapter at Mizpah (Gen 31:44-55), showing the bitter context from which the oath arose and why mutual promises for non-aggression were necessary between the two.

Genesis 31 41 Commentary

Genesis 31:41 is Jacob's pivotal accusation, a direct and impassioned summary of Laban's protracted deceit and Jacob's unwavering diligence despite it. This verse lays bare Laban's exploitative nature, emphasizing his repeated breaches of agreement concerning Jacob's wages. For twenty years, Jacob, often outwitted by others in his early life, became the victim of relentless cunning. His service for fourteen years for his wives was an agreed, if harsh, price. However, the subsequent six years for livestock, meant to establish his own prosperity, were marred by Laban's manipulative renegotiations. The phrase "changed my wages ten times" profoundly underscores the depth of Laban's avarice and treachery, revealing a sustained pattern of injustice that defied common fairness. Yet, throughout this period of intense labor and personal abuse, Jacob persevered. This steadfastness was not merely resilience; it was God's unseen hand working through Jacob's trials. Ultimately, the verse sets the stage for God's vindication of Jacob (Gen 31:42), demonstrating that though human justice may fail, divine justice prevails, allowing His people to prosper even amidst severe opposition. It speaks to the principle that God observes all transactions and holds exploiters accountable, while honoring the faithful and diligent.