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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 31:41 Thus for twenty years I have served in your household--fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks--and you have changed my wages ten times!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/31-41.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_31_41.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 31:41 - Laban Pursues Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Thus for twenty years I have served in your household--fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks--and you have changed my wages ten times!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/31-41.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/31-41.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 41</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/31-40.htm" title="Genesis 31:40">◄</a> Genesis 31:41 <a href="/genesis/31-42.htm" title="Genesis 31:42">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/31.htm">New International Version</a> It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/nlt/genesis/31.htm">New Living Translation</a> Yes, for twenty years I slaved in your house! I worked for fourteen years earning your two daughters, and then six more years for your flock. And you changed my wages ten times! <a href="/esv/genesis/31.htm">English Standard Version</a> These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. <a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times! <a href="/kjv/genesis/31.htm">King James Bible</a> Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/31.htm">New King James Version</a> Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For these twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/nasb/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock, and you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/lsb/genesis/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock, and you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/amp/genesis/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a> These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for [my share of] your flocks, and you have changed my wages ten times. <a href="/csb/genesis/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For twenty years in your household I served you—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks —and you have changed my wages ten times! <a href="/hcsb/genesis/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For 20 years I have worked in your household—14 years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages 10 times! <a href="/asv/genesis/31.htm">American Standard Version</a> These twenty years have I been in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy flock: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. <a href="/cev/genesis/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I had to work 14 of these 20 long years to earn your two daughters and another 6 years to buy your sheep and goats. During that time you kept changing my wages. <a href="/erv/genesis/31.htm">English Revised Version</a> These twenty years have I been in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy flock: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. <a href="/gwt/genesis/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I've been with your household 20 years now. I worked for you 14 years for your two daughters and 6 years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/gnt/genesis/31.htm">Good News Translation</a> It was like that for the whole twenty years I was with you. For fourteen years I worked to win your two daughters--and six years for your flocks. And even then, you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/isv/genesis/31.htm">International Standard Version</a> I've lived in your house these 20 years—serving fourteen years for your two daughters and another six years for your flocks. During all that time you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/msb/genesis/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Thus for twenty years I have served in your household?fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks?and you have changed my wages ten times! <a href="/net/genesis/31.htm">NET Bible</a> This was my lot for twenty years in your house: I worked like a slave for you--fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, but you changed my wages ten times! <a href="/nheb/genesis/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. <a href="/wbt/genesis/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Thus have I been twenty years in thy house: I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. <a href="/web/genesis/31.htm">World English Bible</a> These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> This [is] to me twenty years in your house: I have served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock; and you change my hire ten times; <a href="/ylt/genesis/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> This is to me twenty years in thy house: I have served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy flock; and thou changest my hire ten times; <a href="/slt/genesis/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Here to me twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy sheep; and thou wilt change my hire ten portions.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And in this manner have I served thee in thy house twenty years, fourteen for thy daughters, and six for thy flocks: thou hast changed also my wages ten times. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And in this way, for twenty years, I have served you in your house: fourteen for your daughters, and six for your flocks. You have also changed my wages ten times. <a href="/nabre/genesis/31.htm">New American Bible</a> Of the twenty years that I have now spent in your household, I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flock, while you changed my wages ten times. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Behold, I have been twenty years in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock; and you have changed my wages ten times. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Behold I had twenty years in your house. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks and you changed my pay ten times.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> These twenty years have I been in thy house: I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy flock; and thou hast changed my wages ten times. <a href="/sep/genesis/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> These twenty years have I been in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years among thy sheep, and thou didst falsely rate my wages for ten lambs. <a href="/parallel/genesis/31-41.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7895" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Laban Pursues Jacob</a> …40As it was, the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41<a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh- (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">Thus</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">for twenty</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ‘ă·ḇaḏ·tî·ḵā (V-Qal-Perf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">I have served</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bə·ḇê·ṯe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in your household—</a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: ’ar·ba‘- (Number-fs) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four.">fourteen</a> <a href="/hebrew/6240.htm" title="6240: ‘eś·rêh (Number-fs) -- Ten. For eser; ten, i.e. -teen; also -teenth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: biš·tê (Prep-b:: Number-fdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">for your two</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: ḇə·nō·ṯe·ḵā (N-fpc:: 2ms) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">daughters</a> <a href="/hebrew/8337.htm" title="8337: wə·šêš (Conj-w:: Number-fsc) -- Masculine shishshah; a primitive number; six (see suws) beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. Sixth.">and six</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: bə·ṣō·ne·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">for your flocks—</a> <a href="/hebrew/2498.htm" title="2498: wat·ta·ḥă·lêp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-2ms) -- To pass on or away, pass through. A primitive root; properly, to slide by, i.e. to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change.">and you have changed</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4909.htm" title="4909: maś·kur·tî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Wages. From sakar; wages or a reward.">my wages</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: ‘ă·śe·reṯ (Number-msc) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/4489.htm" title="4489: mō·nîm (N-mp) -- A counted number, time. From manah; properly, something weighed out, i.e. a portion of time, i.e. An instance.">times!</a> 42If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Genesis 29:20</a> So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. <a href="/genesis/30-26.htm">Genesis 30:26-30</a> Give 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.” / But 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.” / And he added, “Name your wages, and I will pay them.” ... <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Genesis 31:7</a> And although he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, God has not allowed him to harm me. <a href="/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38-40</a> I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. / I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night. / As it was, the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. <a href="/exodus/1-14.htm">Exodus 1:14</a> and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh. <a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Exodus 2:23</a> After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God. <a href="/leviticus/25-43.htm">Leviticus 25:43</a> You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God. <a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Deuteronomy 24:14-15</a> Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. <a href="/job/7-1.htm">Job 7:1-3</a> “Is not man consigned to labor on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired hand? / Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages. / So I am allotted months of futility, and nights of misery are appointed to me. <a href="/job/14-14.htm">Job 14:14</a> When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes. <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5-6</a> You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. <a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a> The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Jeremiah 22:13</a> “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages, <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a> “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Matthew 20:1-16</a> “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. / He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. / About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Thus have I been twenty years in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your cattle: and you have changed my wages ten times.fourteen.<a href="/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38</a> This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.<a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18-30</a> And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter… <a href="/genesis/30-33.htm">Genesis 30:33-40</a> So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me… ten times.<a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Genesis 31:7</a> And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/31-18.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/psalms/102-26.htm">Changest</a> <a href="/genesis/31-31.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/genesis/31-38.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/31-38.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">Fourteen</a> <a href="/genesis/31-8.htm">Hire</a> <a href="/genesis/31-30.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/31-37.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/genesis/31-39.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/genesis/30-26.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/31-6.htm">Served</a> <a href="/genesis/30-20.htm">Six</a> <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Times</a> <a href="/genesis/31-38.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/genesis/31-8.htm">Wages</a> <a href="/genesis/31-6.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/41-14.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/job/14-20.htm">Changest</a> <a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/46-22.htm">Fourteen</a> <a href="/exodus/2-9.htm">Hire</a> <a href="/genesis/33-17.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/34-19.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/34-5.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/genesis/34-12.htm">Payment</a> <a href="/genesis/32-4.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/39-4.htm">Served</a> <a href="/genesis/46-26.htm">Six</a> <a href="/genesis/32-15.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/genesis/33-3.htm">Times</a> <a href="/genesis/32-14.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/exodus/2-9.htm">Wages</a> <a href="/exodus/1-13.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 31</div>1. <a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly.</a> 19. <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Rachel steals her father's household gods.</a> 22. <a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong.</a> 34. <a href="/genesis/31-34.htm">Rachel's plan to hide the images.</a> 36. <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Jacob's complaint of Laban.</a> 43. <a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Thus for twenty years I have served in your household— Jacob's statement reflects his long-term commitment and endurance. The twenty years signify a significant portion of his life, emphasizing his dedication and the trials he faced. This period is a testament to his perseverance and faithfulness, despite the challenges and deceit he encountered from Laban. It also highlights the cultural norm of long-term servitude in exchange for marriage and wealth accumulation.fourteen years for your two daughters Jacob worked seven years each for Leah and Rachel, Laban's daughters. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of bride service, where a prospective husband would work for the bride's family as a form of dowry. The deception Jacob experienced, being given Leah instead of Rachel initially, mirrors his earlier deception of Esau, showing a theme of reaping what one sows.and six years for your flocks— The additional six years Jacob worked were for the purpose of building his own wealth through livestock. This period demonstrates Jacob's growing skill and wisdom in animal husbandry, which God blessed, leading to his prosperity. It also reflects the economic practices of the time, where wealth was often measured in livestock.and you have changed my wages ten times! Laban's repeated changes to Jacob's wages illustrate the ongoing deceit and exploitation Jacob faced. This phrase underscores the theme of divine justice and protection, as despite Laban's attempts to cheat him, God ensured Jacob's prosperity. The number ten can symbolize completeness or fullness, indicating the extent of Laban's treachery. This situation foreshadows the Israelites' later experiences in Egypt, where they were oppressed yet multiplied and prospered under God's care.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> The grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and the central figure in this passage. He served Laban for twenty years, enduring hardship and deceit. 2. <a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a> Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, who repeatedly changed Jacob's wages, demonstrating a lack of integrity and fairness. 3. <a href="/topical/p/paddan-aram.htm">Paddan-aram</a> The region where Laban lived and where Jacob spent twenty years working for him. 4. <a href="/topical/r/rachel_and_leah.htm">Rachel and Leah</a> Laban's daughters, for whom Jacob worked fourteen years, marrying them as part of his service agreement with Laban. 5. <a href="/topical/f/flocks.htm">Flocks</a> The livestock Jacob tended for Laban, which became a source of wealth and contention between them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/e/endurance_in_adversity.htm">Endurance in Adversity</a> Jacob's perseverance through twenty years of hardship teaches us the value of patience and faithfulness, even when faced with injustice. <a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_relationships.htm">Integrity in Relationships</a> Laban's deceit contrasts with the biblical call to honesty and integrity in our dealings with others. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a> Despite human deceit, God remains faithful. Jacob's eventual prosperity is a testament to God's provision and justice. <a href="/topical/v/value_of_hard_work.htm">Value of Hard Work</a> Jacob's diligent work ethic, despite unfair treatment, serves as a model for working heartily as unto the Lord. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a> Jacob's account encourages believers to trust in God's timing and justice, even when immediate circumstances seem unfair.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 31</a> <a href="/q/does_gen_31_41_suggest_inconsistency.htm">In Genesis 31:41, Jacob claims Laban changed his wages ten times, yet no detailed account shows each change; does this raise questions of consistency or exaggeration? </a> <a href="/q/who_was_laban_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Laban in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/genesis_31_19__evidence_of_teraphim's_role.htm">In Genesis 31:19, what historical evidence supports the existence or importance of household gods (teraphim), and how does it reconcile with monotheism?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_jacob's_dream_affect_flock_genetics.htm">In Genesis 31:10-12, how could Jacob's dream and the striped rods realistically influence the genetics of the flocks?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(41) Thus have I been . . . --Heb., This for me twenty years in thy house, but taken in connection with the preceding this, in <a href="/genesis/31-38.htm" title="This twenty years have I been with you; your ewes and your she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of your flock have I not eaten.">Genesis 31:38</a>, the meaning is "During the one twenty years that I was with thee, thy ewes, &c.," upon which follows "During the other twenty years that were for me in thy house, I served thee, &c." (See Note on <a href="/genesis/29-27.htm" title="Fulfill her week, and we will give you this also for the service which you shall serve with me yet seven other years.">Genesis 29:27</a>, and Excursus on the Chronology of Jacob's Life.) <a href="/commentaries/genesis/31-41.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Thus זֶה־ (zeh-) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that for twenty עֶשְׂרִ֣ים (‘eś·rîm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> Twenty, twentieth years שָׁנָה֮ (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year I have served עֲבַדְתִּ֜יךָ (‘ă·ḇaḏ·tî·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave in your household— בְּבֵיתֶךָ֒ (bə·ḇê·ṯe·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house fourteen אַרְבַּֽע־ (’ar·ba‘-) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_702.htm">Strong's 702: </a> Four years שָׁנָה֙ (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year for your two בִּשְׁתֵּ֣י (biš·tê) Preposition-b | Number - fdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) daughters בְנֹתֶ֔יךָ (ḇə·nō·ṯe·ḵā) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> A daughter and six וְשֵׁ֥שׁ (wə·šêš) Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8337.htm">Strong's 8337: </a> Six (a cardinal number) years שָׁנִ֖ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year for your flocks— בְּצֹאנֶ֑ךָ (bə·ṣō·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock and you have changed וַתַּחֲלֵ֥ף (wat·ta·ḥă·lêp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2498.htm">Strong's 2498: </a> To slide by, to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce, change my wages מַשְׂכֻּרְתִּ֖י (maś·kur·tî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4909.htm">Strong's 4909: </a> Wages, a reward ten עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת (‘ă·śe·reṯ) Number - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> Ten times! מֹנִֽים׃ (mō·nîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4489.htm">Strong's 4489: </a> Something weighed out, a portion of time, an instance <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">OT Law: Genesis 31:41 These twenty years I have been (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/31-40.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 31:40"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:40" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/31-42.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 31:42"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:42" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>