Genesis 30:31

KJV

And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed [and] keep thy flock:

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, What shall I give thee {H5414}? And Jacob {H3290} said {H559}, Thou shalt not give {H5414} me any thing {H3972}: if thou wilt do {H6213} this thing {H1697} for me, I will again {H7725} feed {H7462} and keep {H8104} thy flock {H6629}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Lavan said, "What should I give you?""Nothing," answered Ya'akov, "just do this one thing for me: once more I will pasture your flock and take care of it.

Berean Standard Bible

“What can I give you?” Laban asked. “You do not need to give me anything,” Jacob replied. “If you do this one thing for me, I will keep on shepherding and keeping your flocks.

American Standard Version

And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me aught: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed thy flock and keep it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 30:31 marks a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between Jacob and Laban, where Jacob, having completed his fourteen years of service for Leah and Rachel, proposes an unconventional wage agreement. Instead of demanding a fixed payment or immediate departure, Jacob offers to continue tending Laban's flocks under a specific condition: his future compensation will be based on the unusual offspring—the speckled, spotted, and brown sheep and goats—thereby setting the stage for a unique arrangement that ultimately highlights divine providence in Jacob's remarkable prosperity despite Laban's deceit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture following Jacob's fulfillment of his fourteen-year service for Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel, as meticulously detailed in [Genesis 29](/genesis/29 "Jacob's Marriages and Service to Laban"). Jacob, now with a large family and a desire to establish his own independent household and wealth, expresses his intention to depart and return to his homeland. Laban, however, having greatly profited from Jacob's diligent and divinely blessed labor, is deeply reluctant to lose such a valuable asset. The immediate preceding verses ([Genesis 30:25-30](/genesis/30-25-30 "Jacob's Desire to Depart and Laban's Reluctance")) set up this negotiation, with Laban acknowledging Jacob's value and asking what he can give him to retain his service. Jacob's response in verse 31 is a shrewd counter-proposal, demonstrating his strategic thinking in light of Laban's history of manipulation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the care of flocks was a primary source of wealth and a highly valued skill, crucial for survival and prosperity in a pastoral society. Labor contracts, though often oral, were common, but their terms could be fluid, especially when dealing with powerful patriarchs like Laban. The practice of a son-in-law serving for his wife was also customary, as seen with Jacob's initial service. However, Laban's repeated deception, such as substituting Leah for Rachel ([Genesis 29:25](/genesis/29-25 "Laban's Deception with Leah")), was a breach of customary ethics. Jacob's proposal in [Genesis 30:31](/genesis/30-31 "Jacob's Proposal to Laban") and subsequent verses is an ingenious adaptation of a common practice, designed to circumvent Laban's characteristic dishonesty and rely on a verifiable, almost self-regulating system of compensation, indicating a deep understanding of animal husbandry and a shrewd business acumen.

* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 30:31](/genesis/30-31 "Jacob's Proposal to Laban") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Blessing**, showing how God intervenes to bless His covenant people even amidst human deceit and injustice. Jacob's prosperity, though seemingly tied to his clever scheme, is ultimately attributed to God's supernatural intervention ([Genesis 30:43](/genesis/30-43 "Jacob's Exceeding Prosperity")). Secondly, the passage highlights the theme of **Conflict and Reconciliation within Family**, a recurring motif in Genesis, particularly between Jacob and Laban, and later between Jacob and Esau. This negotiation is another episode in their ongoing power struggle. Finally, it speaks to **Establishing a Legacy and Household**, as Jacob's desire for his own wages and his own household is a crucial step in fulfilling the patriarchal promises of numerous descendants and great wealth, foundational to the formation of the nation of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jacob (Hebrew, _Yaʻăqôb'_):** From H3290, meaning "heel-catcher" or "supplanter." This name is highly significant for Jacob's character and narrative arc. In [Genesis 30:31](/genesis/30-31 "Jacob's Proposal to Laban"), Jacob lives up to his name by shrewdly "supplanting" Laban's expected terms and proposing an arrangement that ultimately turns the tables on his manipulative father-in-law. His cunning is on full display, yet it is consistently framed within God's overarching plan for his prosperity.
* **give (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** From H5414, a primitive root meaning "to give," used with great latitude of application. Laban's question, "What shall I give thee?", implies a transfer of possession or compensation. Jacob's immediate response, "Thou shalt not give me any thing," is a powerful rejection of a conventional wage, signaling his desire for an unconventional, self-regulating system. This word highlights the transactional nature of their relationship, which Jacob seeks to redefine.
* **thing (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, meaning "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." When Jacob says, "if thou wilt do this thing for me," the "thing" (dâbâr) refers not to a simple object but to the specific, detailed proposal he is about to outline in the following verses concerning the separation of the flocks based on their markings. It signifies a concrete matter or arrangement, a specific condition that must be met for him to continue his service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, What shall I give thee?"**: This opening clause establishes Laban's initiative in the negotiation. Having benefited immensely from Jacob's labor, Laban understands his value and is willing to offer something to retain him, likely expecting Jacob to name a conventional wage or a lump sum. This question sets the stage for Jacob's surprising counter-proposal.
* **"And Jacob said,"**: This simple phrase marks the shift in agency, indicating Jacob's immediate and decisive response, signaling his readiness to assert his own terms rather than passively accept Laban's.
* **"Thou shalt not give me any thing:"**: Jacob's direct refusal of any immediate payment or conventional wage is striking. It demonstrates his profound distrust of Laban, whose past deceptions (e.g., [Genesis 29:25](/genesis/29-25 "Laban's Deception with Leah")) have taught Jacob to seek terms less susceptible to manipulation. This rejection sets the foundation for his innovative proposal.
* **"if thou wilt do this thing for me,"**: This clause introduces Jacob's condition for continued service. The "thing" refers to the precise, unconventional method of compensation he will detail, involving the segregation of the flocks based on their color and markings. This condition highlights Jacob's strategic thinking and his intention to establish a verifiable system for his future earnings.
* **"I will again feed [and] keep thy flock:"**: Jacob's willingness to continue his diligent labor is contingent upon Laban agreeing to his terms. The verbs "feed" (Hebrew: `râʻâh`, to tend, pasture) and "keep" (Hebrew: `shâmar`, to guard, preserve) emphasize Jacob's comprehensive and dedicated stewardship of the flocks. This commitment underscores his value to Laban and foreshadows the meticulous care he would apply to the flocks that would eventually become his own, demonstrating his continued reliability despite Laban's past actions.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Dialogue** to advance the narrative and reveal character. The exchange between Laban and Jacob is concise yet pregnant with meaning, showcasing Laban's desire to maintain his profitable arrangement and Jacob's shrewdness in navigating a contentious relationship. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Jacob's conditional offer anticipates the ingenious, albeit divinely blessed, method he will propose in the subsequent verses, which will ultimately lead to his immense wealth. The use of **Contrast** is evident between Laban's expectation of a traditional wage and Jacob's unexpected, innovative counter-proposal, highlighting Jacob's growing independence and strategic mind.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 30:31 offers profound insights into God's active involvement in the lives of His covenant people, even amidst complex human dynamics. While Jacob devises a clever plan to secure his future, the subsequent narrative clearly attributes his extraordinary prosperity to God's direct intervention and blessing, demonstrating that divine providence can work through human ingenuity and even in spite of human deceit. This passage illustrates God's faithfulness in providing for His chosen ones, ensuring their flourishing and the continuation of His covenant promises, regardless of the challenging circumstances or the manipulative actions of others. It underscores that God's plan for His people will prevail, using all situations to His glory.

* [Genesis 26:12-14](/genesis/26-12-14 "Isaac's Prosperity in Gerar")
* [Psalm 105:13-15](/psalm/105-13-15 "God's Protection of His Anointed")
* [Proverbs 16:3](/proverbs/16-3 "Commit Your Works to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 30:31 provides valuable lessons on navigating difficult personal and professional relationships with wisdom, integrity, and a reliance on divine provision. Jacob's shrewdness in refusing a conventional wage, born from past experiences of Laban's deceit, encourages believers to be discerning and to establish clear, verifiable terms in their dealings, especially in relationships marked by a lack of trust. His willingness to continue diligent labor, even under challenging conditions, reminds us of the importance of faithfulness and hard work in our vocations. Ultimately, Jacob's story, particularly as it unfolds in subsequent verses, teaches us to trust that God can use our human ingenuity, our commitment to diligence, and even the manipulative actions of others to fulfill His divine purposes and bring about His blessings in our lives. It is a powerful reminder that God's faithfulness transcends human limitations and deceit, working all things for the good of those who are called according to His purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jacob's past experience with Laban influence his negotiation strategy in this verse?**
* **In what ways can we, like Jacob, exercise wisdom and discernment in our relationships and agreements, particularly when trust is an issue?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's provision even when our circumstances are challenging or when we face unfair treatment?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jacob refuse immediate payment from Laban?**

Answer: Jacob had experienced Laban's deceitful and manipulative nature multiple times throughout his service, most notably when Laban substituted Leah for Rachel after Jacob had served seven years ([Genesis 29:25](/genesis/29-25 "Laban's Deception with Leah")) and subsequently changed his wages ten times ([Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban's Changing Wages")). By refusing a fixed wage or immediate payment, Jacob sought to establish a new compensation system that was less susceptible to Laban's direct manipulation. His proposed method, based on the future offspring of the flocks, was a visible and verifiable outcome, allowing Jacob to leverage his skill as a shepherd and place his trust in God's blessing for his prosperity, rather than relying on Laban's unreliable promises or the terms of a conventional contract that could be easily altered.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's diligent service and God's supernatural provision in [Genesis 30:31](/genesis/30-31 "Jacob's Proposal to Laban") serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Just as Jacob faithfully "fed and kept" Laban's flock, demonstrating meticulous care and dedication, Christ meticulously cares for His own flock, the Church, providing for their every need and protecting them from spiritual harm ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "Jesus the Good Shepherd")). While Jacob sought to establish his own earthly household and secure an inheritance through shrewd negotiation and hard work, Christ establishes a spiritual household, the Kingdom of God, and secures an eternal inheritance for His people through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets")). God's faithfulness to Jacob, ensuring the prosperity of the covenant line despite human deceit and manipulation, points to His ultimate faithfulness in sending Christ to fulfill all covenant promises and secure a blessing far surpassing any earthly gain or human negotiation ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Promise to Abraham and His Seed")). In Christ, the true "supplanter" of sin and death, God's people receive an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for them ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "A Living Hope")).

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

Psalms 118:8

[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

2 Samuel 21:4

And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, [that] will I do for you.

2 Samuel 21:6

Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, [whom] the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give [them].

Hebrews 13:5

[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.