Breakdown of Genesis 30:31-32

"He said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this for me, I will again pasture your flock and keep it: let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted s…" — Jacob doesn't ask for wages in the typical sense; instead, he proposes a unique agreement where his "hire" will be whatever spotted or uniquely colored offspring are born from Laban's flocks. This sh…

Genesis 30:31-32 Meaning Explained

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Genesis 30:31-32

He said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this for me, I will again pasture your flock and keep it: let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats, and they shall be my wages.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jacob doesn't ask for wages in the typical sense; instead, he proposes a unique agreement where his "hire" will be whatever spotted or uniquely colored offspring are born from Laban's flocks. This shows Jacob's profound faith, trusting God to bring him increase through this unconventional arrangement rather than relying on Laban's potentially deceitful dealings.

What Genesis 30:31-32 means

Jacob has served Laban for fourteen years and is now seeking to return to his homeland with his wives and children. Laban, recognizing that God has blessed him immensely because of Jacob, tries to persuade Jacob to stay, asking what wages he should offer. Jacob, instead of asking for a fixed salary or possessions, proposes a new arrangement based on the offspring of Laban's flocks.

Wages from God, Not Man

Jacob is ready to leave, but Laban is hesitant. Laban asks what Jacob wants for his service, and Jacob’s answer is unexpected. What does it reveal about where Jacob places his trust?

After years of service, Jacob is finally ready to return home. Laban, recognizing how much God has blessed him because of Jacob, wants to keep him around. When Laban asks what Jacob wants as payment, Jacob's response is striking: 'You shall not give me anything.'

This isn't Jacob offering to work for free! Instead, he's proposing a different kind of wage – one based not on Laban's unpredictable generosity, but on God's faithfulness. He doesn't want Laban to 'give' him anything in the traditional sense of wages or gifts. Instead, he wants to enter into a new agreement where his 'hire' will be the offspring of the flock itself, based on specific markings. This shows a profound shift in Jacob's perspective. He's moving from relying on the fluctuating goodwill of man to trusting in the established promises and providence of God.

A Risky, Yet Divinely Inspired, Deal

Jacob's proposal to earn his wages from the flock's offspring seems incredibly risky. Why would he agree to such a deal, and what was the secret behind his success?

Jacob's agreement to take only the speckled and spotted offspring as his wages appears incredibly risky, especially considering Laban's manipulative nature. The initial impression might be that Jacob is simply trying to trick Laban or is being overly optimistic.

However, the text hints at a deeper truth. While Jacob uses clever methods with the rods, the ultimate success comes from divine intervention. Genesis 31:1-12 later reveals that Jacob actually had a dream where God instructed him on how to increase his own flock. This wasn't just human cleverness; it was obedience to God's specific instructions for prosperity within the agreement.

This teaches us that God can and does work through our diligent efforts and wise choices. Our 'risky' ventures, when aligned with God's will and based on faith, can become the very means by which He blesses us abundantly, often in ways that surprise those who don't trust Him.

Understand the original words

Original language

wagesשָׂכָר

sakar · Hebrew Noun

A term denoting payment or recompense for service rendered; in a biblical context, it often signifies the fruit of labor, sometimes reflecting God's provision or human merit.

speckledנָקֹד

naqod · Hebrew Adjective

A descriptive term for livestock marked by patches, spots, or variegated colors, distinguishing them from the standard, solid-colored stock.

spottedטָלֻא

talu · Hebrew Adjective

Used alongside 'speckled' to denote livestock with distinct color markings or patches, commonly indicating varied genetic traits in a herd.

flockצֹאן

tson · Hebrew Noun

A general term for an assembly of animals, often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent the people of God under His care as the Shepherd.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the patriarchal period, around the 18th or 17th century BC.
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, though authorship is debated by scholars.
Location: Written from the land of Haran, where Jacob was residing with Laban.
Genre: Narrative prose, employing dialogue to reveal character and advance the plot.

Historical background

This verse captures a pivotal moment where Jacob, after years of service and deception by Laban, negotiates a new agreement for his wages. His choice to receive payment in the form of specific livestock, rather than a fixed amount from Laban, highlights his growing distrust and his reliance on God's providence for his provision.

c. 1770 BC
Jacob's Flight to Haran
Jacob flees his angry brother Esau and travels to Haran, where he meets Laban and eventually marries his daughters, Leah and Rachel.
c. 1756-1742 BC
Jacob Serves Laban for Wives
Jacob agrees to serve Laban for seven years for Rachel, but is tricked into marrying Leah first. He then serves another seven years for Rachel.
c. 1742 BC— this verse
Jacob Serves for Livestock
After 14 years of service for his wives, Jacob agrees to stay and tend Laban's flocks in exchange for a portion of the flock with specific markings.
c. 1742 BC
Jacob's Strategic Breeding
Jacob employs a clever strategy involving specially prepared rods to influence the breeding of Laban's flocks, resulting in a large increase of his own share.

Key themes

01Trust in divine providence
02Negotiating fair wages
03Jacob's cleverness and faith
04Divine blessing through service

Cross-references

Genesis 31:41

This passage shows Jacob's continued service and faithfulness to Laban, emphasizing his commitment to his work even after the initial agreement, mirroring the dedication shown in Genesis 30:31.

Proverbs 11:1

This verse speaks of dishonest scales being an abomination to the Lord, which connects to the underlying tension in Genesis 30:31 about fair wages and honest dealings between Jacob and Laban.

1 Corinthians 3:8

The idea that each will receive his wages according to his labor directly relates to Jacob's negotiation and his desire for fair compensation for his service to Laban.

Colossians 3:23

This verse encourages doing all work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, which reflects the spirit of diligent service Jacob offered Laban, even while negotiating his own terms.

Scholarly commentary

Genesis 30:31: "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:"

And he said, what shall I give thee?.... So said Laban to Jacob, still avoiding making any offer himself, but waiting for Jacob, and pressing upon him to fix his wages: and Jacob said, thou shalt not give me anything; a speech Laban liked very well: his meaning is, that he should give him no certain settled salary, nor e…
gill

Genesis 30:1-43: "And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die."

Et dixit Rachel, Iudicavit me Deus, et etiam audivit vocem meam, et dedit mihi filium. Idcirco vocavit nomen ejus Daniel

And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.

Et concepit adhuc, et peperit Bilhah ancilla Rachel filium secundum ipsi Iahacob

And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with…

calvin

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What Genesis 30:31-32 means

Original language

wagesשָׂכָר

sakar · Hebrew Noun

A term denoting payment or recompense for service rendered; in a biblical context, it often signifies the fruit of labor, sometimes reflecting God's provision or human merit.

speckledנָקֹד

naqod · Hebrew Adjective

A descriptive term for livestock marked by patches, spots, or variegated colors, distinguishing them from the standard, solid-colored stock.

spottedטָלֻא

talu · Hebrew Adjective

Used alongside 'speckled' to denote livestock with distinct color markings or patches, commonly indicating varied genetic traits in a herd.

flockצֹאן

tson · Hebrew Noun

A general term for an assembly of animals, often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent the people of God under His care as the Shepherd.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the patriarchal period, around the 18th or 17th century BC.
Author: Traditionally understood as Moses, though authorship is debated by scholars.
Location: Written from the land of Haran, where Jacob was residing with Laban.
Genre: Narrative prose, employing dialogue to reveal character and advance the plot.

Historical background

c. 1770 BC

Jacob's Flight to Haran

Jacob flees his angry brother Esau and travels to Haran, where he meets Laban and eventually marries his daughters, Leah and Rachel.

c. 1756-1742 BC

Jacob Serves Laban for Wives

Jacob agrees to serve Laban for seven years for Rachel, but is tricked into marrying Leah first. He then serves another seven years for Rachel.

c. 1742 BC— this verse

Jacob Serves for Livestock

After 14 years of service for his wives, Jacob agrees to stay and tend Laban's flocks in exchange for a portion of the flock with specific markings.

c. 1742 BC

Jacob's Strategic Breeding

Jacob employs a clever strategy involving specially prepared rods to influence the breeding of Laban's flocks, resulting in a large increase of his own share.