Genesis 29:15

15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

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 the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, where Jacob told him all that had happened.

14 Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

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

17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful.