And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

GENESIS 31:6KJV
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Genesis 31:6 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:6 mean?

Genesis 31:6 is Jacob’s appeal to his wives, Rachel and Leah, as witnesses to his work for their father, Laban. Jacob says they know he has given Laban his full effort. His statement helps explain why he considers Laban’s treatment of him unfair.

The KJV’s “ye” means Jacob is addressing more than one person. After telling Rachel and Leah that their father’s attitude toward him has changed, Jacob asks them to consider what they already know about his service.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:6

  • “power” — כֹּחַ (koach): This word can mean strength or ability. Here, “with all my power” describes the effort Jacob put into his work, rather than authority he held over someone.
  • “served” — עָבַד (avad): This word can mean to work for or serve someone. Jacob uses it to describe his years of labor for Laban.

Why Genesis 31:6 matters

  • Jacob appeals to firsthand knowledge, not just his own account. “Ye know” treats Rachel and Leah as people who have seen enough to recognize his effort.
  • Jacob contrasts his work with Laban’s conduct. In the next verse, Jacob says Laban has deceived him and changed his wages.
  • The word “father” makes the conversation a family matter as well as a dispute about work. Jacob is speaking to Laban’s daughters about their own father.

Where else these words appear

“ye” Hebrew H859 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Genesis 24:23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in?
  • Ezekiel 13:11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.

“power” Hebrew H3581 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
  • Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.