Genesis 30:25

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when Rachel {H7354} had born {H3205} Joseph {H3130}, that Jacob {H3290} said {H559} unto Laban {H3837}, Send me away {H7971}, that I may go {H3212} unto mine own place {H4725}, and to my country {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After Rachel had given birth to Yosef, Ya'akov said to Lavan, "Send me on my way, so that I can return to my own place, to my own country.

Berean Standard Bible

Now after Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can return to my homeland.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 30:25 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, as the long-awaited birth of Rachel's son, Joseph, serves as the divine catalyst for Jacob to declare his intention to Laban: to conclude his twenty years of servitude and return to his ancestral land and family, fulfilling a deep spiritual and covenantal longing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Joseph's birth and Rachel's naming of him, where she expresses hope for "another son" ([Genesis 30:24](/genesis/30-24 "Rachel names Joseph")). Joseph's arrival signifies a turning point in the narrative, completing the patriarchal family unit (at least for the twelve sons who would form the tribes of Israel) and shifting the focus from Jacob's domestic struggles and Laban's trickery to Jacob's impending departure and the fulfillment of God's promises regarding his return to Canaan. The preceding chapters detail Jacob's arrival in Paddan-aram, his service for Leah and Rachel, and the births of his children by his wives and their handmaids, culminating in the birth of Joseph, which sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation and eventual separation from Laban in [Genesis 31](/genesis/31 "Jacob's Departure from Laban").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jacob's service to Laban reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of a man working for a father-in-law to earn his wives, often involving specific terms and durations. The concept of "mine own place" and "my country" speaks to the strong tribal and familial ties prevalent in the patriarchal period, where identity and security were intrinsically linked to one's ancestral land and kin. For Jacob, this was not merely a geographical location but the land of Canaan, divinely promised to his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. His desire to return was deeply rooted in the covenant promises, which designated Canaan as the inheritance for his descendants. The long period of servitude (twenty years, as later revealed in [Genesis 31:41](/genesis/31-41 "Jacob recounts his service to Laban")) was a significant portion of a man's life, highlighting the weight of Jacob's commitment and the significance of his decision to leave.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis. It highlights the theme of **Divine Providence and Timing**, as Joseph's birth, a seemingly personal event, is divinely orchestrated to signal the time for Jacob's departure. It underscores the **Covenantal Promise of Land**, emphasizing Jacob's longing for the land promised to Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's promise of land to Abraham")) and Isaac ([Genesis 26:3](/genesis/26-3 "God's reaffirmation of the land promise to Isaac")), which is central to the identity and destiny of Israel. Furthermore, it exemplifies the theme of **God's Faithfulness Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating how God blessed Jacob and preserved his family even under Laban's manipulative control, preparing him for his return as a patriarch. The verse also marks a crucial **Transition and New Beginning** for Jacob, moving him from a period of foreign servitude to establishing his independent household in the promised land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **born (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** H3205, a primitive root meaning "to bear young; causatively, to be get; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage." In this context, it signifies Rachel's successful delivery of Joseph, marking the culmination of her long-standing barrenness and the completion of Jacob's immediate family unit. This act of birth is presented as the direct catalyst for Jacob's subsequent declaration.
* **Send me away (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** H7971, a primitive root meaning "to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)." Jacob's use of this imperative verb indicates a direct and firm request for release from his service to Laban. It conveys a desire for liberation and autonomy after two decades of subservience, signaling his readiness to take control of his own destiny and household.
* **country (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** H776, from an unused root probably meaning "to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land)." This term refers to Jacob's ancestral land, Canaan. It carries profound covenantal significance, representing not merely a geographical location but the divinely promised inheritance for Abraham's descendants, a place of identity, belonging, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph,"**: This opening clause establishes the precise timing and the pivotal event that triggers Jacob's request. The birth of Joseph, Rachel's firstborn son after years of barrenness and fervent prayer ([Genesis 30:22-24](/genesis/30-22-24 "God remembers Rachel and she bears Joseph")), is presented as the divinely appointed signal for Jacob's next step. It signifies a moment of completion and divine favor within Jacob's family.
* **"that Jacob said unto Laban,"**: This indicates a direct address from Jacob to his father-in-law, Laban. After years of often indirect or reactive dealings with Laban's manipulative nature, Jacob now takes the initiative, asserting his will and expressing a clear desire for change. This marks a shift in the power dynamic and Jacob's growing confidence, bolstered by God's blessings.
* **"Send me away,"**: This is Jacob's direct and urgent plea for release. Having fulfilled his obligations and seen his family grow, Jacob seeks to terminate his service. The phrase implies a desire for permission and a formal end to the contractual relationship, though Jacob would eventually depart without Laban's full consent due to Laban's continued deceit ([Genesis 31:20-21](/genesis/31-20-21 "Jacob flees from Laban")).
* **"that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country."**: This clause articulates Jacob's ultimate destination and motivation. "Mine own place" refers to his specific ancestral home, likely Beer-sheba or Hebron, where his father Isaac still resided. "My country" refers to the broader land of Canaan, the covenantal territory promised to his forefathers. This expresses a deep longing for home, heritage, and the fulfillment of God's promises, signifying a desire to establish his patriarchal household independently in the land of his inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Narrative Climax** and **Symbolism**. The birth of Joseph serves as a narrative climax, marking the culmination of Rachel's long struggle with barrenness and providing the final piece of Jacob's immediate family structure. This event is not merely a personal milestone but functions as a **Symbol** of divine timing and fulfillment, signaling to Jacob that his season of service in Paddan-aram is complete. The phrase "mine own place, and to my country" utilizes **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore Jacob's profound longing for his ancestral land, highlighting its significance beyond mere geography to encompass his heritage, identity, and the covenant promises. The verse also serves as a **Turning Point** in the larger Jacob narrative, pivoting from his years of labor and family building under Laban to his eventual return to Canaan and the subsequent challenges and blessings that await him there.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 30:25 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand in orchestrating human events to fulfill His divine purposes. The birth of Joseph, a seemingly natural family event, is presented as the precise, divinely appointed trigger for Jacob's decision to return to the promised land. This highlights that God's timing is perfect, not only in personal blessings but also in guiding the trajectory of His covenant people. Jacob's longing for "mine own place, and to my country" underscores the profound significance of the land of Canaan as central to God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, serving as the physical manifestation of God's faithfulness and the stage for the unfolding narrative of salvation. It is a testament to the enduring nature of God's promises, even through periods of human struggle and deceit.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Call of Abram and God's Promises") - God's initial call to Abraham to leave his country and go to a land that He would show him, establishing the theme of the promised land.
* [Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's Promise to Jacob at Bethel") - God's promise to Jacob at Bethel that He would be with him and bring him back to the land, reassuring him during his flight from Esau.
* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord") - A general principle affirming that the Lord directs the steps of the righteous, which resonates with God's guidance in Jacob's life.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 30:25 serves as a profound reminder that life is a series of seasons, each with its own purpose, duration, and divine timing. Jacob's recognition that the birth of Joseph signaled the opportune moment for a major transition in his life encourages us to cultivate spiritual discernment in our own journeys. Just as Jacob had faithfully endured two decades of service, we are called to be diligent and faithful in our current season, whether it involves learning, serving, waiting, or building. Yet, the passage also challenges us to be attentive to the "signs" God provides – significant life events, a growing sense of completion, or a clear leading from the Holy Spirit – that indicate a new season is dawning. Trusting God's timing means not rushing ahead of His plan, nor lingering past His appointed time, but rather acknowledging Him in all our ways, confident that He will direct our paths, as [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart") beautifully articulates. This discernment allows us to move forward with courage, knowing that our "own place" in God's will is where true flourishing occurs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "season" of life do you currently find yourself in, and what might God be teaching you or calling you to do within it?**
* **Are there any significant "births" or pivotal events in your life that might be signaling a new transition or calling from God?**
* **How can you better cultivate discernment to recognize God's perfect timing for new beginnings or departures in your own life?**
* **What does "mine own place, and to my country" mean for you in terms of your spiritual home, purpose, or destiny in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jacob wait until Joseph was born to ask to leave Laban?**

Answer: The birth of [Joseph](/genesis/30-24 "Rachel names Joseph, meaning 'may he add'") was a deeply significant event for [Jacob](/genesis/29 "Jacob's arrival in Paddan-aram") for several reasons. For Rachel, Joseph was her firstborn son after years of barrenness, a profound answer to prayer and a source of great joy. For Jacob, Joseph's birth likely represented a sense of completion for his family, as all the sons who would become the patriarchs of the twelve tribes (except Benjamin, yet to be born) were now accounted for. This event served as a divine signal and a personal sense of fulfillment, indicating that God's timing was right for his departure from Laban and his return to the promised land, aligning with God's earlier promise to bring him back ([Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's promise to Jacob at Bethel")).

**What does "mine own place, and to my country" signify for Jacob?**

Answer: This phrase expresses [Jacob's](/genesis/29 "Jacob's arrival in Paddan-aram") profound longing to return to Canaan, the land promised by God to his forefathers, [Abraham](/genesis/12-7 "God's promise of land to Abraham") and [Isaac](/genesis/26-3 "God's reaffirmation of the land promise to Isaac"). "Mine own place" refers to his specific ancestral home, likely where his father Isaac still resided, signifying a desire for personal autonomy and the establishment of his own patriarchal household. "My country" emphasizes his deep connection to the covenantal territory and his identity as an heir to God's promises. Together, the phrase signifies a yearning for heritage, destiny, and the fulfillment of God's divine plan for his life and his descendants.

**How long had Jacob served Laban by this point?**

Answer: By the time [Jacob](/genesis/30-25 "Jacob requests to leave Laban") makes this request, he had served [Laban](/genesis/29 "Laban's character and dealings") for a total of twenty years. This period included fourteen years for his wives, [Leah](/genesis/29-21-28 "Jacob marries Leah and Rachel") and [Rachel](/genesis/29-21-28 "Jacob marries Leah and Rachel"), and an additional six years for his flocks, as explicitly stated by Jacob himself in [Genesis 31:41](/genesis/31-41 "Jacob recounts his twenty years of service to Laban").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's deep longing to return to "mine own place, and to my country" in [Genesis 30:25](/genesis/30-25 "Jacob requests to leave Laban") beautifully foreshadows the ultimate journey and destiny of God's people. Just as Jacob, a sojourner, yearned for his divinely appointed homeland and freedom from servitude, so too are believers in Christ called to recognize that this world is not their ultimate home. Our true "country" is the heavenly one, prepared for us by Christ himself. Jesus declares, "In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you" ([John 14:2](/john/14-2 "Jesus promises to prepare a place")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises, leading us out of the bondage of sin and into the glorious liberty of the children of God ([Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "The glorious liberty of the children of God")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has secured our passage to the heavenly Jerusalem ([Hebrews 12:22](/hebrews/12-22 "You have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem")), where we will dwell with Him forever in the "city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Abraham looked for a city with foundations")). Jacob's journey home, guided by God's providence, points to the greater reality of Christ as our Way, our Truth, and our Life, who leads us to our eternal inheritance.

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 24:54

¶ And they did eat and drink, he and the men that [were] with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.

Genesis 24:56

And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.

Genesis 31:55

And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Genesis 28:13

And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I [am] the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

Genesis 28:15

And, behold, I [am] with thee, and will keep thee in all [places] whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done [that] which I have spoken to thee of.

Genesis 31:13

I [am] the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, [and] where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

Genesis 18:33

And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.