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Genesis 29:15

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 29:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? Tell me, what shall thy wages be?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? Tell me, what shall thy wages be?
Genesis 29:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father`s brother, and that he was Rebekah`s son. And she ran and told her father.
13And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister`s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
14And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
15And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? Tell me, what shall thy wages be?
16And Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17And Leah`s eyes were tender. But Rachel was beautiful and well favored.
18And Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
← Genesis 29:14Genesis 29:16 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Laban said unto Jacob, because thou [art] my brother, etc.] Or nephew, his sister’s son, (see Gill on “<012912>Genesis 29:12”): shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? nearness of kin was no reason why he should serve him freely, or for nothing, but rather why he should be more kind to him than to a stranger, and give him better wages: tell me, what [shall] thy wages [be]? by the day, or month, or year; signifying he was willing to give him anything that was just and reasonable, which was very well spoken; and this gave Jacob a fair opportunity of opening his mind more freely to him, and for answering a principal end for which he came, as follows:”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification