Genesis 30:25-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 30:25-36

We have here, I. Jacob's thoughts of home. He faithfully served his time out with Laban, even his second apprenticeship, though he was an old man, had a large family to provide for, and it was high time for him to set up for himself. Though Laban's service was hard, and he had cheated him in the first bargain he had made, yet Jacob honestly performs his engagements. Note, A good man, though he swear to his own hurt, will not change. And though others have deceived us this will not justify us... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:25

And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph ,.... At which time his fourteen years of servitude were ended; for Jacob was in Laban's house twenty years, fourteen were spent in serving for his wives, and the other six for his cattle, which begun from this time, as the context clearly shows; see Genesis 31:41 ; so that, as the Jewish writers F12 Pirke Eliezer, c. 36. Tzemach David, par. 1. fol. 6. 2. truly observe, in seven years' time Jacob had twelve children born to him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:26

Give me my wives ,.... His two wives, Leah and Rachel, and the two maids, Bilhah and Zilpah, which he had given him for wives also; he desires leave not to have them, but to take them away with him: and my children ; his twelve children; he did not desire his father-in- law to take any of them, and keep them for him, but was desirous of having them with him: no doubt, for the sake of their education, though he had nothing of his own wherewith to support them; not doubting that God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:27

And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry ,.... One would think he could not expect to have much from him, by his treatment of him; but he craftily cajoles him in this fawning, flattering way, in order to gain a point, and begs of him, in a very humble and suppliant manner, if he had any love for him, that he would not depart from him, but stay with him, which he should take as a great favour; for he could not insist upon it, as bound in duty, or as a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:28

And he said, appoint me thy wages, and I will give it . Say what thou wilt have, fix what salary thou thinkest sufficient, and I will agree to it, and punctually pay it: this he craftily said, not choosing to propose anything himself, but leaving it to Jacob, knowing very well the honesty and modesty of Jacob, that he would mention less wages than he could have the face to offer him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:29

And he said unto him ,.... Jacob to Laban: thou knowest that I have served thee ; not only diligently and faithfully, without any salary, excepting for his wives; otherwise he had no wages for his service all this time, which therefore should be considered for the future: and how thy cattle was with me : always under his care, and he ever watchful of them; spent all his time and labour with them, and had no opportunity of getting anything for himself. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:30

For it was little which thou hadst before I came ,.... Perhaps but a single flock, and that not a very large one, since Rachel, his youngest daughter, had the care of it: and it is now increased unto a multitude ; or "broke forth" F13 יפרץ "erupit", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius. , spread itself over the fields and plains, hills and mountains adjacent, so that they were covered with his sheep, these bringing forth thousands and ten thousands, Psalm 144:13 , ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:31

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 even of anything that Laban was now possessed of, and God had blessed him with for his sake he did not desire any part of it: but if thou wilt do this thing for me ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:32

I will pass through all thy flock today ,.... Not alone, but Laban and his sons with him: removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle ; that is, such as were black and had white spots on them, or were white and had black spots on them; and the "speckled", according to Jarchi and Ben Melech, were such as had small spots on them; and the "spotted" were such as had larger: and all the brown cattle among the sheep ; the russet coloured ones, or the "black" F15 חום ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:33

So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come ,.... Either by the success I shall have, and the blessing of God upon me, making it prosperous; it will appear in time to come, and to all posterity, that I have most righteously and faithfully served thee: or rather, such a separation being made in Laban's flock, all the spotted ones being removed, and only white ones left with Jacob to keep; it would be a clear case hereafter, if any such should be found with Jacob, they were not... read more

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