Genesis 30:28
Genesis 30:28 in Multiple Translations
And he added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.”
And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
Say then what your payment is to be and I will give it.
Then Laban continued, “Tell me how much to pay you and I'll give it to you.”
Also he said, Appoynt vnto me thy wages, and I will giue it thee.
He saith also, 'Define thy hire to me, and I give.'
He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.”
And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
Appoint thy wages which I shall give thee.
Tell me what you want me to pay you for continuing to work for me, and that is what I will pay you.”
If you stay here, I will pay you to work for me. Just tell me how much you want, and I will pay you.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 30:28
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 30:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
נָקְבָ֧/ה
שְׂכָרְ/ךָ֛
עָלַ֖/י
וְ/אֶתֵּֽנָה
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
נָקְבָ֧/ה
nâqab
H5344
to pierce
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
שְׂכָרְ/ךָ֛
sâkâr
H7939
wages
N-ms | Suff
עָלַ֖/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
וְ/אֶתֵּֽנָה
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 30:28
וַ/יֹּאמַ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
נָקְבָ֧/ה
nâqab
H5344
"to pierce"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to curse or blaspheme, often with a sense of violence or strong emotion. It can also mean to pierce or strike through, as seen in Exodus.
Definition: 1) to pierce, perforate, bore, appoint 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pierce, bore 1a2) to prick off, designate 1b) (Niphal) to be pricked off, be designated, be specified
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: appoint, blaspheme, bore, curse, express, with holes, name, pierce, strike through. See also: Genesis 30:28; 2 Chronicles 31:19; Proverbs 11:26.
שְׂכָרְ/ךָ֛
sâkâr
H7939
"wages"
N-ms | Suff
Payment for work or services, like the wages paid to the laborers in Matthew 20:8. This word encompasses various forms of compensation, including salary, fare, or maintenance. It is about receiving payment for something.
Definition: 1) hire, wages 1a) wages 1b) reward, pay 1c) fare, fee, passage-money
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: hire, price, reward(-ed), wages, worth. See also: Genesis 15:1; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Psalms 127:3.
עָלַ֖/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
וְ/אֶתֵּֽנָה
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
Study Notes — Genesis 30:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jacob Prospers
26Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.”
27But Laban replied, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.”
28And he added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.”
29Then Jacob answered, “You know how I have served you and how your livestock have thrived under my care. 30Indeed, you had very little before my arrival, but now your wealth has increased many times over. The LORD has blessed you wherever I set foot. But now, when may I also provide for my own household?”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 29:15 | Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.” |
| 2 | Genesis 29:19 | Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” |
Genesis 30:28 Summary
In this verse, Laban offers to pay Jacob wages in an attempt to persuade him to stay, because he believes Jacob's presence has brought a blessing from the Lord. This shows that even non-believers can recognize God's blessing in the lives of believers, as seen in Genesis 30:27. Just like Jacob, we can trust God to provide for us and bring a blessing to those around us, as mentioned in Genesis 30:30 and Jeremiah 29:11. By serving others and trusting in God's provision, we can experience the same kind of blessing that Jacob did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Laban's offer to pay Jacob wages?
Laban's offer to pay Jacob wages is in response to Jacob's request to leave with his wives and children, as seen in Genesis 30:26, and is an attempt to persuade Jacob to stay, as he believes the Lord has blessed him because of Jacob, as mentioned in Genesis 30:27.
Why is Laban willing to pay Jacob wages?
Laban is willing to pay Jacob wages because he has learned by divination that the Lord has blessed him because of Jacob, as stated in Genesis 30:27, and he wants to keep Jacob's blessing in his household.
What can we learn from Laban's offer to pay Jacob wages?
We can learn that even non-believers can recognize the blessing of God in the lives of believers, as seen in Genesis 30:27, and that God's blessing can have a positive impact on those around us, as mentioned in Genesis 30:30.
How does Laban's offer relate to the concept of fairness and compensation in the Bible?
Laban's offer to pay Jacob wages relates to the concept of fairness and compensation in the Bible, as seen in verses like Deuteronomy 24:14-15 and Jeremiah 22:13, which emphasize the importance of paying workers fairly for their labor.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like Jacob, can serve others and bring a blessing to those around me?
- How can I, like Laban, recognize and respond to the blessing of God in the lives of others?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God to provide for me, just as Jacob trusted God to provide for him?
- How can I balance my desire for fair compensation with my desire to serve others and bring glory to God?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:28
And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. Appoint me thy wages.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:28
Genesis 30:28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give [it].Ver. 28. Appoint me thy wages.] Heb., Expressly name, or nominate plainly. And I will give it.] Pollicitis dives quilibet esse potest .
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:28
25–43 (J, E). Jacob’s Wages In this passage and in the following chapter Laban is depicted in the Israelite narrative as the typical Aramaean, a crafty, selfish, grasping man of business. Jacob, however, in spite of Laban’s duplicity, prospers exceedingly. By greater cunning he outwits Laban himself, and God gives him protection and prosperity.
Sermons on Genesis 30:28
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God, the God of Israel by Ron Reed | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob wrestling with God and how it relates to our own struggles with God. The preacher highlights how Jacob initially wanted t |
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Jacob and the Law of Life by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks preaches on the life of Jacob, highlighting the three key aspects: the birthright, Bethel or the House of God, and service, all interconnected as phases of one thi |