Genesis 29:15

KJV

¶ And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou [art] my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what [shall] thy wages [be]?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Laban {H3837} said {H559} unto Jacob {H3290}, Because thou art my brother {H251}, shouldest thou therefore serve {H5647} me for nought {H2600}? tell {H5046} me, what shall thy wages {H4909} be?

Complete Jewish Bible

Lavan said to him, "Why should you work for me for nothing, just because you are my relative? Tell me how much I should pay you."

Berean Standard Bible

Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

American Standard Version

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 29:15 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's sojourn with Laban, signaling a deliberate shift from informal kinship hospitality to a formalized employment agreement. Laban's seemingly benevolent inquiry regarding Jacob's compensation skillfully introduces a contractual framework, laying the groundwork for the intricate, often contentious, and ultimately manipulative relationship that will define Jacob's next two decades in Haran.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jacob's initial month of diligent service to Laban, during which he had already demonstrated his strength and commitment, particularly in watering Laban's flocks and his deep affection for Rachel, whom he met at the well. Jacob's arrival in Haran, detailed in [Genesis 29:1-14](/genesis/29-1-14 "Jacob's Arrival in Haran and Meeting Rachel"), was a consequence of his flight from Esau's wrath, as instructed by Rebekah in [Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Rebekah's Counsel for Jacob to Flee to Laban"). Having found refuge and established himself as a valuable worker, Laban's statement in [Genesis 29:15](/genesis/29-15 "Laban Proposes Wages to Jacob") serves as the narrative's turning point, formalizing the relationship and setting the stage for the subsequent negotiations, deceptions, and the eventual formation of Jacob's family.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, hospitality was a sacred duty, especially towards kin. However, extended stays often transitioned into more formalized arrangements, particularly if the guest provided valuable labor. The patriarchal society placed a high value on family ties, but also on property and economic gain. Laban's question, while framed with familial language ("my brother"), reflects the common practice of establishing clear terms for service, even among relatives. This period also highlights the importance of oral contracts and the concept of "bride-price" or service in exchange for a wife, which will become central to Jacob's agreements with Laban, reflecting the cultural norms of the time.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 29:15 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **divine providence**, showing how God's plan for Jacob's lineage continues to unfold even amidst human shrewdness and future deception, a pattern seen throughout Jacob's life, from his birthright acquisition in [Genesis 25:29-34](/genesis/25-29-34 "Esau Sells His Birthright") to his wrestling with God in [Genesis 32:22-32](/genesis/32-22-32 "Jacob Wrestles with God"). The verse also introduces the theme of **labor and just compensation**, a principle that will be developed further in Mosaic Law and prophetic writings. Furthermore, it highlights the complex and often fraught nature of **family dynamics** when self-interest and material gain become paramount, contrasting sharply with the unconditional nature of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 29:15 captures Laban's calculated initiative to formalize Jacob's labor. After a month of Jacob working diligently without explicit terms, Laban's question, "Because thou [art] my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what [shall] thy wages [be]?" is pivotal. While framed with familial language, it strategically shifts the relationship from one of pure hospitality to a contractual agreement, laying the groundwork for the subsequent negotiations and deceptions that will unfold in the narrative.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **brother (Hebrew, _ʼâch'_):** (H251) Laban's use of "my brother" acknowledges the familial kinship between himself and Jacob, who is his nephew (son of his sister Rebekah). While seemingly an expression of affection or solidarity, in this context, it subtly serves to establish a foundation of trust and familiarity upon which Laban can then introduce the practical matter of compensation, making his proposition appear reasonable and benevolent rather than purely transactional.
* **nought (Hebrew, _chinnâm'_):** (H2600) This word signifies "gratis," "without cost," "without reason," or "in vain." Laban's rhetorical question, "shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?" implies that Jacob's valuable labor should not be rendered without compensation. It underscores the ancient principle that even within familial contexts, significant work has inherent value and should be rewarded, setting the stage for the negotiation of wages.
* **wages (Hebrew, _maskôreth'_):** (H4909) Derived from a root meaning "to hire" or "to reward," this term explicitly refers to the compensation or payment for services rendered. By asking "what shall thy wages be?", Laban directly proposes a formal employment agreement, moving beyond informal familial assistance to a structured arrangement where Jacob's labor will be exchanged for a defined reward. This word is crucial in establishing the contractual nature of their future relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Laban said unto Jacob,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the recipient of the pivotal question. Laban, as the head of the household and Jacob's maternal uncle, initiates the conversation, asserting his authority and setting the agenda for their future relationship.
* **"Because thou art my brother,"**: Laban begins by appealing to their familial bond. This phrase is a strategic rhetorical device, designed to soften the transition from informal hospitality to a business arrangement and to frame his subsequent proposition as a generous or fair-minded consideration for a relative.
* **"shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?"**: This is a rhetorical question, implying a clear negative answer. Laban acknowledges Jacob's diligent service ("serve me") and suggests that it would be unjust or inappropriate for such valuable labor to go uncompensated ("for nought"). It sets up the expectation that Jacob's work merits a reward.
* **"tell me, what shall thy wages be?"**: This direct command and question formalizes the intent. Laban moves from the general principle of compensation to the specific matter of Jacob's payment. He invites Jacob to name his terms, which, while seemingly empowering Jacob, also allows Laban to gauge Jacob's expectations and prepare for the subsequent negotiation, which will prove to be fraught with Laban's manipulative tendencies.

#### Literary Devices
Laban's statement employs several literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to make a point, emphasizing the inherent value of Jacob's labor and subtly guiding Jacob towards the expectation of compensation. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present; Laban's seemingly benevolent and familial language ("my brother") stands in stark contrast to his later actions, which reveal a deep-seated self-interest and a propensity for deception. This initial offer, therefore, serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the complex, often exploitative, and contractual nature of the relationship that will unfold between Jacob and Laban over the next two decades, culminating in Jacob's eventual flight from Laban's household.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 29:15, while detailing a seemingly mundane contractual negotiation, is rich with theological and thematic implications. It highlights God's sovereignty, demonstrating how His divine plan for Jacob's lineage and the formation of the covenant people continues to unfold, even through the flawed and often manipulative actions of human agents like Laban. This narrative underscores the dignity of human labor and the biblical principle of just compensation, contrasting human self-interest with God's perfect justice and faithfulness.

* [Deuteronomy 24:14-15](/deuteronomy/24-14-15 "Do Not Oppress a Hired Servant")
* [Leviticus 19:13](/leviticus/19-13 "Do Not Defraud Your Neighbor")
* [1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "The Laborer Deserves His Wages")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 29:15 offers profound insights into the complexities of human relationships, particularly when family ties intersect with professional or economic dealings. It underscores the critical importance of establishing clear expectations and formal agreements regarding work, compensation, and responsibilities, even within close relationships, to prevent misunderstandings, resentment, and disputes. The principle that labor should be justly compensated remains paramount, reminding us that one's time, skill, and effort possess inherent value and deserve fair recompense. Furthermore, the narrative encourages a discerning spirit regarding others' motives; Laban's seemingly generous question ultimately served his own shrewd interests, prompting us to evaluate intentions carefully, even when presented with appealing or familial overtures. This verse challenges us to act with integrity and transparency in all our dealings, reflecting God's character of justice and truth, rather than succumbing to self-serving manipulation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we ensure clarity and fairness in our agreements, especially with family or close friends, to avoid future conflict?**
* **In what ways might we, like Laban, unintentionally or intentionally use familial or relational ties to our own advantage in business or service?**
* **What does "just compensation" look like in our modern context, and how can we advocate for it in our workplaces and communities?**
* **How does the principle of valuing labor, as seen in this verse, inform our perspective on work and rest in a Christian worldview?**

### FAQ
**Why did Laban wait a month to discuss Jacob's wages?**

Answer: Laban likely waited a month to observe Jacob's work ethic, capabilities, and overall value to his household. During this initial period, Jacob had proven himself exceptionally capable and diligent, notably by single-handedly watering Laban's flocks and demonstrating his strength and commitment. By waiting, Laban could assess Jacob's worth and then formalize an arrangement that would secure this valuable labor for a defined period, rather than making an immediate, potentially less advantageous, offer. This delay also allowed Jacob to become more settled and invested in the household, making him more amenable to a formal agreement.

**Does Laban's use of "my brother" imply genuine affection?**

Answer: While "my brother" (Hebrew: *ʼâch*) acknowledges kinship, in Laban's mouth, it appears to be a strategic rather than purely affectionate term. It sets a tone of familiarity and implied generosity, making his subsequent proposal for wages seem reasonable and benevolent. However, the subsequent narrative in Genesis reveals Laban's consistent pattern of self-interest, deception, and manipulation, as seen in his trickery with Leah ([Genesis 29:21-26](/genesis/29-21-26 "Laban's Deception with Leah")) and his repeated changing of Jacob's wages ([Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban Changes Jacob's Wages Ten Times")). This suggests that his use of "my brother" was primarily a rhetorical device to facilitate a beneficial contractual arrangement for himself, rather than an expression of deep, selfless affection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 29:15, with its focus on human contracts and the pursuit of wages, stands in stark contrast to the divine economy of grace revealed in Christ. Laban's approach to Jacob's labor is driven by self-interest, seeking to formalize a relationship for personal gain, ultimately leading to manipulation and injustice. This human paradigm highlights the brokenness of a world where value is often measured by what can be extracted from others. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ did not "serve for nought" in the sense of being without purpose or ultimate reward, but His service was not for earthly wages or personal gain, but for the redemptive work of God. He willingly emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and became obedient to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")). His "wages" were not negotiated or earned through human effort, but were the glory and honor bestowed upon Him by the Father for His perfect obedience and ultimate sacrifice ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")). Unlike Laban, who sought to exploit labor, Christ's work was a selfless act of love, freely offering salvation as a gift, not a wage ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Thus, this passage, by exposing the flawed human pursuit of gain, ultimately points to the perfect, just, and gracious work of the True Servant, Jesus Christ, whose labor secured eternal life for all who believe, a reward far surpassing any earthly wages.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 31:7

And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

Genesis 30:28

And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give [it].