This verse, Genesis 30:28, is part of the story of Jacob working for Laban. It's where Laban, Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, is essentially inviting Jacob to renegotiate their terms of employment. Let's break it down:
"He said, “Appoint me your wages...": "He" refers to Laban. Laban is speaking to Jacob. "Appoint me your wages" means "Tell me how much you want to be paid." Laban is saying to Jacob, "You tell me what you want your salary to be."
"...and I will give it.”: This is Laban's promise that he will agree to whatever wages Jacob asks for.
Context is Key:
This verse appears after Jacob has already been working for Laban for 14 years. Initially, Jacob worked for 7 years in exchange for marrying Laban's daughter Leah, and then another 7 years for Rachel, whom he truly loved. After these 14 years, Jacob wants to leave and return to his own homeland.
However, Laban realizes that he has prospered greatly because of Jacob's hard work and the blessing of God upon Jacob. He doesn't want Jacob to leave. So, he's offering Jacob a chance to stay and continue working for him, but this time, Jacob can name his own price.
In summary:
Laban recognizes Jacob's value and wants to keep him working. He's offering Jacob a blank check regarding his salary, hoping to entice him to stay. It's a demonstration of Laban's self-interest disguised as a generous offer.
This sets the stage for the next part of the story, where Jacob proposes a rather unusual arrangement involving speckled and spotted livestock as his wages. This arrangement ultimately leads to Jacob becoming very wealthy, further highlighting God's blessing on him, and adding complexity to the already strained relationship between Jacob and Laban.
This verse, Genesis 30:28, is part of the story of Jacob working for Laban. It's where Laban, Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, is essentially inviting Jacob to renegotiate their terms of employment. Let's break it down:
"He said, “Appoint me your wages...": "He" refers to Laban. Laban is speaking to Jacob. "Appoint me your wages" means "Tell me how much you want to be paid." Laban is saying to Jacob, "You tell me what you want your salary to be."
"...and I will give it.”: This is Laban's promise that he will agree to whatever wages Jacob asks for.
Context is Key:
This verse appears after Jacob has already been working for Laban for 14 years. Initially, Jacob worked for 7 years in exchange for marrying Laban's daughter Leah, and then another 7 years for Rachel, whom he truly loved. After these 14 years, Jacob wants to leave and return to his own homeland.
However, Laban realizes that he has prospered greatly because of Jacob's hard work and the blessing of God upon Jacob. He doesn't want Jacob to leave. So, he's offering Jacob a chance to stay and continue working for him, but this time, Jacob can name his own price.
In summary:
Laban recognizes Jacob's value and wants to keep him working. He's offering Jacob a blank check regarding his salary, hoping to entice him to stay. It's a demonstration of Laban's self-interest disguised as a generous offer.
This sets the stage for the next part of the story, where Jacob proposes a rather unusual arrangement involving speckled and spotted livestock as his wages. This arrangement ultimately leads to Jacob becoming very wealthy, further highlighting God's blessing on him, and adding complexity to the already strained relationship between Jacob and Laban.