Bible Strands
Genesis 30:34
“Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Laban speaks to Jacob, verbally acceding to the wage arrangement Jacob proposed in the preceding verse, before immediately acting to remove the specified livestock.
The words — ל֥וּ (lu) = if; יְהִ֥י (ye.Hi) = let it be; כִּדְבָרֶךָ (ki'dvareka) = according to your word. These terms form a conditional consent formula.
The thread — The conditional “if” structure parallels the rhetorical “if” in Numbers 22:29, while the acknowledgment of distinct capacities mirrors the individual gifts noted in 1 Corinthians 7:7 and 14:5.
Why it lands — The text records verbal agreement before narrative action, requiring the reader to measure spoken consent against subsequent behavior.
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 Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.
Cross-references
- Numbers 22:29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!”
- 1 Corinthians 7:7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
- Galatians 5:12 As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!