Genesis 29:15

15 Laban said to Jacob, "You shouldn't have to work for free just because you are my relative. Tell me what you would like to be paid."

Genesis 29:15 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 29:15

And Laban said unto Jacob, because thou [art] my brother
Or nephew, his sister's son, (See Gill on Genesis 29:12):

shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?
nearness of kin was no reason why he should serve him freely, or for nothing, but rather why he should be more kind to him than to a stranger, and give him better wages:

tell me, what [shall] thy wages [be]?
by the day, or month, or year; signifying he was willing to give him anything that was just and reasonable, which was very well spoken; and this gave Jacob a fair opportunity of opening his mind more freely to him, and for answering a principal end for which he came, as follows:

Genesis 29:15 In-Context

13 When Laban heard about Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him. Laban embraced him, kissed him, and invited him into his house, where Jacob recounted to Laban everything that had happened.

14 Laban said to him, "Yes, you are my flesh and blood." After Jacob had stayed with Laban for a month,

15 Laban said to Jacob, "You shouldn't have to work for free just because you are my relative. Tell me what you would like to be paid."

16 Now Laban had two daughters: the older was named Leah and the younger Rachel.

17 Leah had delicate eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and was good-looking.