Genesis 30:25

¶ 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.

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}.

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.

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

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

Genesis 30:25 marks a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob, signaling his desire to conclude his long service to Laban and return to his homeland. This verse immediately follows the birth of Joseph, Rachel's first son, an event that profoundly impacted Jacob's decision.

Context

For twenty years, Jacob had served Laban in Paddan-aram, first for his wives, Leah and Rachel (fourteen years), and then for his flocks (six years). This period was characterized by Laban's repeated deceit and Jacob's cunning, yet also by God's blessing on Jacob's household and possessions. The birth of Joseph, Rachel's long-awaited child, was a significant milestone, fulfilling a deep personal desire for Rachel and marking a point where Jacob felt his family was sufficiently established to justify his departure. Joseph's birth effectively completed the promised lineage in Jacob's immediate family, paving the way for the patriarch's return to the land God had promised his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing and Fulfillment: Joseph's birth is presented as the catalyst for Jacob's request. It highlights God's perfect timing in fulfilling His promises, even through complex family dynamics and human struggles. Rachel's barrenness had been a source of distress, and Joseph's arrival was seen as a divine blessing, giving Jacob a clear sign it was time to move on.
  • Longing for Home and Heritage: Jacob's plea, "Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country," expresses a profound desire to return to his ancestral land of Canaan. This wasn't merely about leaving Laban but about returning to the land of promise and his aging father, Isaac. This longing connects to the broader theme of God's covenant with Abraham, which included the promise of land in Genesis 12:7.
  • Transition and New Beginning: This verse heralds a major transition in Jacob's life, from being a servant in a foreign land to becoming an independent patriarch returning to establish his family in the promised inheritance. It sets the stage for future encounters and the continued unfolding of God's plan for Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The name Joseph (Hebrew: Yosef) itself carries significance, meaning "may he add" or "he adds." Rachel's naming of him in Genesis 30:24 expresses her hope for "another son," underscoring the miraculous nature of his birth after years of barrenness. Jacob's phrase "mine own place, and to my country" emphasizes his desire for autonomy and reconnection with his family roots and the divinely appointed territory.

Practical Application

Genesis 30:25 reminds us that there are seasons for everything in life. Just as Jacob recognized the opportune moment to move forward after a long period of service and waiting, we too can discern when it is time to transition from one phase of life to another, often prompted by significant life events or a sense of divine leading. It speaks to the importance of fulfilling our commitments, seeking our "own place" where we can thrive, and trusting in God's faithfulness to guide us to our appointed destiny, much like Proverbs 3:6 advises us to acknowledge Him in all our ways.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
← Back