Topical Bible: Servant: Hired: Jacob

◄ Servant: Hired: Jacob ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Jacob, a key patriarchal figure in the Bible, is notably recognized for his role as a hired servant during his time with Laban, his uncle. This period of servitude is a significant chapter in Jacob's life, illustrating themes of labor, perseverance, and divine providence.

Background and Context

Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Esau, fled to his uncle Laban's household in Haran to escape Esau's wrath after receiving the blessing intended for his brother (Genesis 27:41-45). Upon arrival, Jacob encountered Rachel, Laban's daughter, and fell in love with her. This encounter set the stage for his service under Laban.

Jacob's Agreement with Laban

Jacob's servitude began with a mutual agreement between him and Laban. Jacob offered to serve Laban for seven years in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. The Berean Standard Bible records this agreement: "Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered, 'I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel'" (Genesis 29:18). This arrangement highlights the cultural practices of the time, where labor could be exchanged for marriage.

The Deception and Continued Service

After seven years of service, Laban deceived Jacob by giving him Leah, Rachel's older sister, as a wife instead of Rachel. Laban justified his actions by citing local customs: "It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older" (Genesis 29:26). Despite the deception, Jacob agreed to serve an additional seven years for Rachel, demonstrating his commitment and love for her.

Jacob's Prosperity and Departure

Jacob's service to Laban extended beyond the initial fourteen years. He continued to work for Laban, tending his flocks. During this time, God blessed Jacob, and he prospered greatly. Jacob's innovative breeding techniques led to an increase in his wealth, as described in Genesis 30:43: "Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys" .

Eventually, tensions arose between Jacob and Laban's sons, leading Jacob to seek God's guidance. The Lord instructed Jacob to return to his homeland: "Then the LORD said to Jacob, 'Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you'" (Genesis 31:3). Jacob's departure marked the end of his servitude and the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Significance

Jacob's experience as a hired servant under Laban is a profound narrative that underscores the themes of faithfulness, endurance, and divine blessing. Despite facing deception and hardship, Jacob's reliance on God's promises and his unwavering dedication to his commitments exemplify the virtues of patience and trust in God's plan. His account serves as a testament to the belief that God rewards those who remain steadfast in their faith and duties.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 29:15
And Laban said to Jacob, Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nothing? tell me, what shall your wages be?
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 30:26
Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served you, and let me go: for you know my service which I have done you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Concerning the Twins Esau and Jacob, who were Very Unlike Each ...
... Book V. Chapter 4."Concerning the Twins Esau and Jacob, Who Were Very Unlike Each ...
One of these twins was for a long time a hired servant; the other never ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 concerning the twins esau.htm

The Lost Sheep.
... to the method of employing a hired servant to keep a ... and such its sphere, that the
servant is necessarily ... plan, that Laban afforded to Jacob the opportunity of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxii the lost sheep.htm

Number one Thousand; Or, "Bread Enough and to Spare"
... he spoke of God and of his servant Job, said ... an emphasis upon that word, "How many
hired servants of my ... down with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and there ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/number one thousand or bread.htm

Joseph --The Savior of his People.
... "O, my lord, let thy servant speak a ... them the best of the land for their flocks,
and hired some of ... Joseph brought his father in also and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii josephthe savior of.htm

1 Cor. xii. 1, 2
... then was the one a rich man, and the other a hired servant? Or rather, why was Esau
rich, who was unrighteous and a murderer of his brother, while Jacob was in ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxix 1 cor xii.htm

Man Proposes, God Disposes
... I fear I was more disposed with faithless Jacob to say ... mun-wan, so I paid off my
boat, hired coolies to ... I walked on alone, leaving my servant to follow with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xiii man proposes god.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... 443] and again: "Thy word is tried to the uttermost, and thy servant loveth it ... that
Abraham in his old age married Keturah; [487] that Leah hired Jacob with her ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Demonstration viii. --Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
... For the Moabites hired Balaam the son of Beor to curse ... God of Abraham, of Isaac and
of Jacob." And lo! ... For the servant, for whom his Lord is preparing stripes ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration viii of the resurrection of.htm

Chapter xxx
... thou come in, for I have indeed hired thee for ... a proposition which at once substantially
alters Jacob's status ... From the position of a bound servant he is raised ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

Matt. xix. 27
... shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; but the ... And if they say, "No man
hath hired us," in the ... let go thy Master, and look unto thy fellow-servant? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxiv matt xix 27.htm