Genesis 31:41

Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Thus have I been twenty {H6242} years {H8141} in thy house {H1004}; I served thee {H5647} fourteen {H702}{H6240} years {H8141} for thy two {H8147} daughters {H1323}, and six {H8337} years {H8141} for thy cattle {H6629}: and thou hast changed {H2498} my wages {H4909} ten {H6235} times {H4489}.

These twenty years I've been in your house - I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock; and you changed my wages ten times!

Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times!

These twenty years have I been in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy flock: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of Jacob's impassioned speech to his father-in-law, Laban, after Jacob has secretly departed with his family and possessions from Laban's household. Laban pursued Jacob and caught up with him in Gilead. In this confrontation, Jacob defends his actions and recounts the hardship and injustice he endured while serving Laban for two decades. He is highlighting his faithfulness and Laban's manipulative behavior as the reason for his departure.

Key Themes

  • Long and Hard Service: Jacob emphasizes the significant amount of time and effort he invested serving Laban.
  • Laban's Deceit: The verse points directly to Laban's repeated dishonesty and unfair treatment regarding Jacob's wages.
  • Endurance and Integrity: Jacob's statement highlights his perseverance through difficult and unjust circumstances.
  • Divine Oversight: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Genesis 31 shows God's protection and blessing on Jacob despite Laban's actions (see Genesis 31:42).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "changed my wages" in Hebrew (חֲלִפֹתִי מַשְׂכֻּרְתִּי - chalifoti maskurti) implies not just changing the amount, but doing so repeatedly and perhaps arbitrarily. The KJV's "ten times" signifies a frequent and consistent pattern of unfair adjustment, reinforcing Laban's untrustworthiness.

Commentary and Reflection

Jacob's declaration in Genesis 31:41 serves as a powerful summary of his twenty years under Laban. He meticulously breaks down his service: fourteen years dedicated to marrying Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel (a period marked by Laban's initial deception regarding Leah, see Genesis 29:25), and six years for acquiring his own flocks and wealth. The core grievance is Laban's constant changing of the terms of their agreement, highlighted by the statement "thou hast changed my wages ten times." This wasn't just a single instance of unfairness but a pattern of breaking promises and altering the deal, demonstrating Laban's greed and lack of integrity. Jacob is presenting his case that his departure was justified not by theft, but by years of faithful labor met with repeated exploitation.

Practical Application

This verse speaks to the reality of facing difficult or unfair employers and situations in life. Jacob's example shows endurance and faithfulness even when treated unjustly. It reminds us that while we may face manipulation or broken promises from others, our integrity and hard work are seen. Ultimately, Jacob trusted that God was overseeing the situation and ensuring his eventual prosperity despite Laban's schemes, a principle applicable to trusting God in our own challenging circumstances (see Psalm 37:5).

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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.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  • Genesis 29:18

    And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

  • Genesis 29:30

    And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:26

    [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren;

  • Genesis 30:33

    So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that [is] not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

  • Genesis 30:40

    And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.
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