And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
Parallel translations
- WEB He said to him, “You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me.
- BSB Then Jacob answered, “You know how I have served you and how your livestock have thrived under my care.
- NKJV So Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me.
- NASB But Jacob said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you and how your livestock have fared with me.
- NLT Jacob replied, “You know how hard I’ve worked for you, and how your flocks and herds have grown under my care.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jacob reminds Laban how well he has served him and how Laban's livestock thrived under his care. He establishes his faithful track record before negotiating.
Overview
Jacob points to the evident growth of Laban's flocks as proof of his diligence and of God's blessing. This appeal to his proven service strengthens his bargaining position. It also sets up the contrast between Jacob's faithful work and Laban's repeated exploitation, with God ultimately vindicating Jacob.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Gen 31:6And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
- Gen 31:38–40This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
- 1 Pet 2:18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
- Titus 2:9–10Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
- Col 3:22–25Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
- Gen 30:5And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.
- Matt 24:45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
- 1 Pet 2:15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
- Eph 6:5–8Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 30:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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