Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.

GENESIS 30:26KJV
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Genesis 30:26 (KJV)

What does Genesis 30:26 mean?

Genesis 30:26 records Jacob asking Laban to let him leave with his wives and children, whom he had worked for, so he could go his own way. Jacob reminds Laban that he has faithfully served him and that Laban knows the hard work Jacob has done.

In this verse, Jacob is speaking directly to his father-in-law, Laban, after many years of working for him in exchange for marrying Laban’s daughters, Rachel and Leah. Jacob’s request comes at a turning point, as he wants to take his family and start an independent life. The verse highlights Jacob’s sense of fairness and his desire for freedom after fulfilling his obligations.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 30:26

  • "Give" (נָתַן, natan): This word is often used for granting or handing over something that is rightfully owed. Here, Jacob is not demanding but asking for what he has earned.
  • "Served" (עָבַד, avad): This word means to work or serve, often with the sense of laboring for someone else. Jacob emphasizes that his relationship with Laban has been one of service, not just family.
  • "Service" (עֲבֹדָה, avodah): This is the noun form of the same root as "served," stressing the work Jacob has performed. It underscores that Jacob’s claim is based on completed, tangible labor.

Why Genesis 30:26 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Jacob was trying to take something that did not belong to him; he is asking for what he has rightfully earned through years of service.
  • The verse emphasizes the fairness and transparency in Jacob’s dealings with Laban, setting the stage for the negotiations that follow in the story.
  • Genesis 30:26 connects to the larger theme of God’s faithfulness to Jacob, showing how Jacob seeks to act honorably even in difficult family dynamics.

Where else these words appear

“for” Hebrew H2004 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
  • Leviticus 14:40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
  • Jeremiah 48:9 Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.

“children” Hebrew H3206 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

“service” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:31 And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
  • 1 Chronicles 23:26 And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the service thereof.