Genesis 29:15

15 He said to him: Because thou art my brother, shalt thou serve me without wages? Tell me what wages thou wilt have.

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 Who, when he heard that Jacob his sister’s son was come, ran forth to meet him: and embracing him, and heartily kissing him, brought him into his house. And when he had heard the causes of his journey,

14 He answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the days of one month were expired,

15 He said to him: Because thou art my brother, shalt thou serve me without wages? Tell me what wages thou wilt have.

16 Now he had two daughters, the name of the elder was Lia; and the younger was called Rachel.

17 But Lia was blear eyed: Rachel was well favoured, and of a beautiful countenance.