Bible Strands
Genesis 30:31
“What can I give you?” Laban asked. “You do not need to give me anything,” Jacob replied. “If you do this one thing for me, I will keep on shepherding and keeping your flocks.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Laban asks Jacob what compensation he desires for his continued labor. Jacob responds directly to Laban, declining any upfront payment and proposing a conditional arrangement for his future wages.
The words — The Hebrew מָה (mah) and אֶתֶּן (’e.ten) form Laban’s question, literally “what will I give?” Jacob’s reply hinges on לֹא (lō’) and תִתֶּן (ti.ten), meaning “you will not give,” establishing a zero-upfront-cost agreement.
The thread — This negotiation motif echoes the Gibeonites’ refusal of silver and gold in 2 Samuel 21:4 and aligns with the biblical warning against trusting in human provision found in Psalm 118:8 and Hebrews 13:5.
Why it lands — The text records Jacob rejecting monetary security in favor of a labor arrangement tied to God’s blessing. It asks a reader to evaluate work through the lens of divine presence rather than material guarantee.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 21:4 The Gibeonites said to him, “We need no silver or gold from Saul or his house, nor should you put to death anyone in Israel for us.” “Whatever you ask, I will do for you,” he replied.
- Psalms 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
- Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”