Genesis 31:41

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

These twenty years I've been in your house - I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock; and you changed my wages ten times!

Berean Standard Bible:

Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times!

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Thus have I been twenty^{H6242} years^{H8141} in thy house^{H1004}; I served thee^{H5647} fourteen^{{H702}{H6240}} years^{H8141} for thy two^{H8147} daughters^{H1323}, and six^{H8337} years^{H8141} for thy cattle^{H6629}: and thou hast changed^{H2498} my wages^{H4909} ten^{H6235} times^{H4489}.

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Commentary for Genesis 31:41

Genesis 31:41 is part of the narrative concerning Jacob, who is speaking to his father-in-law, Laban. This verse encapsulates a significant moment in their complex relationship, highlighting themes of servitude, family dynamics, and the breach of trust. In the historical context of the Ancient Near East, it was common for family members to enter into service or employment arrangements, as seen with Jacob, who worked for Laban in order to marry his daughters, Rachel and Leah.

In this verse, Jacob is recounting the years of service he has rendered to Laban. He served seven years for each of Laban's two daughters, totaling fourteen years, and then continued to work for Laban for another six years, tending to his cattle. However, Jacob's grievance is that during these twenty years, Laban has altered the terms of Jacob's compensation a staggering ten times. This speaks to a pattern of deception and exploitation by Laban, who has taken advantage of Jacob's labor and commitment.

The verse reflects the tension and conflict that can arise within family employment relationships, especially when agreements are not honored and one party feels wronged. It also illustrates the broader biblical theme of God's people being subject to injustice and learning to navigate such challenges faithfully. Jacob's statement sets the stage for his eventual departure from Laban's household, which is marked by both a sense of betrayal and the pursuit of independence and divine blessing. This narrative thread contributes to the overarching story of the patriarchs, their trials, and their growth in faith and character.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6242
   There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶשְׂרִים
   Transliteration: ʻesrîym
   Pronunciation: es-reem'
   Description: from עֶשֶׂר; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth; (six-) score, twenty(-ieth).
   
2. Strong's Number: H8141
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנֶה
   Transliteration: shâneh
   Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
   Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
4. Strong's Number: H5647
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַד
   Transliteration: ʻâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,
   
5. Strong's Number: H702
   There are 383 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַרְבַּע
   Transliteration: ʼarbaʻ
   Pronunciation: ar-bah'
   Description: masculine אַרְבָּעָה; from רָבַע; four; four.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6240
   There are 292 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂר
   Transliteration: ʻâsâr
   Pronunciation: aw-sawr'
   Description: for עֶשֶׂר; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth; (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th).
   
7. Strong's Number: H8147
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
   Transliteration: shᵉnayim
   Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
   Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
9. Strong's Number: H8337
   There are 203 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
   Transliteration: shêsh
   Pronunciation: shaysh
   Description: masculine שִׁשָּׁה; a primitive number; compare שׂוּשׂ; six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth; six(-teen, -teenth), sixth.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6629
    There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צֹאן
    Transliteration: tsôʼn
    Pronunciation: tsone
    Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds).
    
11. Strong's Number: H2498
    There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָלַף
    Transliteration: châlaph
    Pronunciation: khaw-laf'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change; abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow up, be over, pass (away, on, through), renew, sprout, strike through.
    
12. Strong's Number: H4909
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַשְׂכֹּרֶת
    Transliteration: maskôreth
    Pronunciation: mas-koh'-reth
    Description: from שָׂכַר; wages or a reward; reward, wages.
    
13. Strong's Number: H6235
    There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֶשֶׂר
    Transliteration: ʻeser
    Pronunciation: eh'ser
    Description: masculine of term עֲשָׂרָה; from עָשַׂר; ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits); ten, (fif-, seven-) teen.
    
14. Strong's Number: H4489
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֹנֶה
    Transliteration: môneh
    Pronunciation: mo-neh'
    Description: from מָנָה; properly, something weighed out, i.e. (figuratively) a portion of time, i.e. an instance; time.