You know that I have served your father with all my strength.
Parallel translations
- WEB You know that I have served your father with all of my strength.
- KJV And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
- NKJV And you know that with all my might I have served your father.
- NASB You know that I have served your father with all my strength.
- NLT You know how hard I have worked for your father,
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 Rachel and Leah that he served their father with all his strength. He affirms his own integrity and hard work.
Overview
Jacob appeals to his wholehearted labor as evidence that he has dealt honestly with Laban. This honest service stands in stark contrast to Laban's treachery. Jacob's clear conscience strengthens his case that his prosperity is God's gift, not ill-gotten gain.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Gen 30:29Then Jacob answered, “You know how I have served you and how your livestock have thrived under my care.
- Eph 6:5–8Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
- Col 3:22–25Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
- Gen 31:38–42I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock.
- Titus 2:9–10Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
- 1 Pet 2:18Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.
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 31:6 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.