Genesis 31:15

KJV

Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.

KJV (with Strong's)

Are we not counted {H2803} of him strangers {H5237}? for he hath sold {H4376} us, and hath quite {H398} devoured {H398} also our money {H3701}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and he considers us foreigners, since he has sold us; moreover, he has consumed everything he received in exchange for us.

Berean Standard Bible

Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered what was paid for us.

American Standard Version

Are we not accounted by him as foreigners? for he hath sold us, and hath also quite devoured our money.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 31:15 captures the poignant declaration of Rachel and Leah, Jacob's wives, expressing their profound alienation and resentment towards their father, Laban. They assert that Laban has treated them as strangers, effectively "sold" them by appropriating Jacob's wages which should have been their inheritance, and thus "devoured" their rightful money. This statement not only validates Jacob's decision to depart from Laban's household but also underscores the deep familial injustice and exploitation they endured.

### CONTEXT
Genesis 31:15 is spoken by Rachel and Leah to Jacob, their husband, as he reveals his intention to secretly leave Laban's household after twenty years of service. This pivotal conversation occurs after God has instructed Jacob to return to his homeland ([Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God's command to Jacob to return to his homeland in Genesis 31:3")). Their words provide crucial validation and encouragement for Jacob's departure, highlighting Laban's long history of exploiting Jacob and treating his own daughters more as property than as family members. The sisters' declaration solidifies their complete alienation from their father and their unwavering solidarity with Jacob, marking a definitive shift in their familial allegiance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Rachel and Leah's lament in [Genesis 31:15](/genesis/31-15 "KJV text of Genesis 31:15") is a powerful indictment of Laban's character and his treatment of his own family. Their opening question, "Are we not counted of him strangers?", expresses a deep sense of betrayal and disinheritance. Despite being his biological daughters, Laban's actions made them feel like outsiders, devoid of the love, respect, and familial rights typically afforded to kin in ancient Near Eastern society. This feeling of being "strangers" highlights a profound breakdown of familial duty and affection.

Their subsequent accusation, "for he hath sold us," refers to the ancient practice of a dowry (Hebrew: *mohar*). The *mohar* was a payment made by the groom to the bride's family, compensating them for the loss of a daughter's labor and signifying the family's investment in her. Jacob served Laban for [seven years for Rachel](/genesis/29-20 "Jacob's first seven years of service for Rachel in Genesis 29:20") and then [seven more for Leah](/genesis/29-27 "Jacob's second seven years of service for Leah in Genesis 29:27"), effectively paying a significant price for his wives. However, Laban kept all of Jacob's wages, which by custom, or at least in fairness, should have constituted the daughters' portion or inheritance. By appropriating all of Jacob's earnings, Laban effectively "sold" his daughters without providing them any familial share or security, treating them as mere commodities from which he could profit.

The final phrase, "and hath quite devoured also our money," further emphasizes Laban's greed and injustice. The "money" refers to Jacob's wages, which were the economic equivalent of the daughters' dowry and their rightful claim to a share of the family's wealth. Laban's insatiable desire for gain led him to consume all of Jacob's earnings, leaving his daughters without any financial provision or inheritance from their paternal household. This act of "devouring" their money underscores Laban's complete disregard for their well-being and future, solidifying their decision to align fully with Jacob and depart from such an exploitative environment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Exploitation and Injustice:** The verse powerfully illustrates the consequences of greed and the systemic exploitation of family members. Laban's actions demonstrate a profound disregard for familial bonds and ethical conduct, treating his daughters as economic assets rather than beloved kin.
* **Family Loyalty and Shifting Alliances:** Rachel and Leah's declaration marks a definitive shift in their loyalty from their biological father to their husband, Jacob. This highlights the formation of a new family unit under Jacob, founded on shared experience of injustice and mutual support, rather than blood ties alone.
* **Divine Providence and Justice:** Although not explicitly stated in this verse, the wives' support for Jacob's departure aligns with God's earlier command for Jacob to return to Canaan ([Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God's command to Jacob to return to his homeland in Genesis 31:3")). Their personal grievances become part of God's larger plan to bring Jacob and his family back to the promised land, demonstrating how God orchestrates circumstances to bring justice to the oppressed.
* **The Value of Women:** The complaint of Rachel and Leah underscores their inherent worth and rights, challenging the patriarchal norms that could lead to their commodification. Their voice is given prominence, validating their experience of injustice and their right to a fair inheritance.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers timeless insights into the corrosive effects of greed and manipulation within family relationships, underscoring the vital importance of fairness, integrity, and ethical conduct, even among kin. For believers today, it serves as a potent reminder that God sees and hears the cries of the oppressed and often orchestrates circumstances to bring about justice, even through the actions of those who have been wronged. It also powerfully illustrates the strength and necessity of solidarity among those who share common experiences of injustice, encouraging us to support and advocate for individuals genuinely seeking to escape exploitative situations. Just as God protected Jacob from Laban's schemes and ensured his safe return ([Genesis 31:42](/genesis/31-42 "God's role in protecting Jacob from Laban in Genesis 31:42")), He continues to be a steadfast defender of the vulnerable and a champion of righteousness.

### FAQ
**Why do Rachel and Leah feel like strangers to Laban?**

Answer: Their father, Laban, treated them not as beloved daughters with inherent rights but as commodities to be leveraged for his own gain. He withheld their rightful inheritance and used their marriages to Jacob solely for his own financial benefit, alienating them from their paternal family and denying them the care and respect due to kin.

**What does "he hath sold us" imply in this context?**

Answer: This phrase refers to the ancient Near Eastern custom of a dowry (*mohar*), typically paid by the groom to the bride's family. While not a literal sale into slavery, Rachel and Leah felt "sold" because Laban appropriated all of Jacob's fourteen years of labor, which constituted their dowry and should have been their portion or inheritance. He profited from their marriages without providing them any familial share or security.

**What is the "money" that Laban "devoured"?**

Answer: The "money" refers to Jacob's wages, earned through his twenty years of service to Laban. According to custom, a portion of these earnings, particularly those related to the dowry for his wives, should have been allocated to Rachel and Leah as their inheritance or provision. Laban's actions of keeping all of Jacob's earnings demonstrated his extreme greed and his complete disregard for his daughters' economic security and familial rights.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The plight of Rachel and Leah, feeling alienated and "sold" by their own father, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. Humanity, estranged from God due to sin, was counted as **_strangers and foreigners_** ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Paul's teaching on Gentiles being fellow citizens with the saints")). Yet, Christ, through His sacrificial death, **_bought us with a price_** ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "Paul's teaching on being bought with a price")), not by exploiting us, but by offering Himself as the ultimate payment for our redemption. He did not "devour our money" but poured out His own life, granting us an inheritance that is imperishable and undefiled ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "Peter's teaching on an imperishable inheritance")). Through Him, we are no longer alienated but are brought into God's family as adopted sons and daughters, receiving a spiritual inheritance far greater than any earthly portion, and experiencing perfect justice and unwavering love from our Heavenly Father.

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.