“Name your wages,
This offer from Laban comes after Jacob has served him for many years, initially for the hand of Rachel. The phrase suggests a willingness to negotiate, but given Laban's history, it may also imply a strategic move to keep Jacob working for him. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, such negotiations were common, especially in familial and servitude contexts. This mirrors earlier biblical narratives, such as Jacob's own negotiation for Esau's birthright in Genesis 25.

and I will pay them.”
Laban's promise to pay Jacob whatever he asks is significant, considering his previous deceit. This statement can be seen as a test of Jacob's integrity and wisdom. Historically, wages could be paid in various forms, including livestock, goods, or services, reflecting the agrarian economy of the time. This offer sets the stage for Jacob's clever breeding strategy, which follows in the narrative, demonstrating God's providence and blessing upon Jacob despite Laban's manipulations. This also foreshadows the eventual wealth and prosperity of Jacob's descendants, aligning with God's covenant promises to Abraham.

- Laban has just confessed, “The LORD has blessed me because of you” (Genesis 30:27). His next words build on that admission, showing he knows the blessing is ongoing and tied to Jacob’s continued presence.

- Scripture often records someone “adding” or “continuing” to speak when a crucial point is being pressed (cf. Genesis 18:32; 24:20). Here, the narrative highlights that Laban is eager—almost anxious—to secure Jacob’s continued labor.

- God’s faithfulness to His covenant line shines through: just as He prospered Abraham (Genesis 24:35) and Isaac (Genesis 26:12–14), He is unmistakably prospering Jacob. Laban can’t miss it, and he speaks accordingly.

- This sounds generous, yet Genesis 29:15 shows Laban used the same phrase when Jacob first arrived, and Genesis 31:7 reveals he later “changed Jacob’s wages ten times.” The invitation is real, but Laban’s track record cautions us against taking it at face value.

- The Bible repeatedly affirms the principle of fair compensation: “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker must not remain with you until morning” (Leviticus 19:13). See also Deuteronomy 24:15; Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18.

- For Jacob, naming his wages will become the means God uses to multiply the flock supernaturally (Genesis 30:37–43). What looks like ordinary negotiation is, in God’s hands, a stage for covenant blessing.

- Lessons echoed in Proverbs 16:3 (“Commit your works to the LORD”) remind us that trusting God’s oversight, not human promises, ultimately secures our provision.

- Laban vows to meet whatever terms Jacob sets. Scripture stresses the moral weight behind such promises: “Do not withhold good from the one to whom it is due” (Proverbs 3:27–28) and “Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair” (Colossians 4:1).

- Yet Laban’s later behavior (Genesis 31:41–42) shows the emptiness of his pledge. James 5:4 warns of “the wages you failed to pay” crying out against unjust employers—a sober contrast to Laban’s claim here.

- God protects His servant despite human duplicity. When Laban later chases Jacob, God intervenes in a dream: “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad” (Genesis 31:24), underscoring divine oversight in every business dealing.

The single verse, “And he added, ‘Name your wages, and I will pay them’” (Genesis 30:28), spotlights Laban’s eagerness to keep the blessing flowing through Jacob. His words affirm the biblical expectation of fair pay, yet his later conduct exposes human unreliability. Behind the scene, God’s steadfast commitment to Jacob turns a simple wage discussion into an avenue for covenant prosperity. Trusting the Lord, not fallible promises, remains the surest refuge for every believer.