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Genesis 30:26 - Earning family through faithful labor

Genesis 30:26 - בראשית 30:26

Hebrew Text

תְּנָה אֶת־נָשַׁי וְאֶת־יְלָדַי אֲשֶׁר עָבַדְתִּי אֹתְךָ בָּהֵן וְאֵלֵכָה כִּי אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת־עֲבֹדָתִי אֲשֶׁר עֲבַדְתִּיךָ׃

English Translation

Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowst my service which I have done thee.

Transliteration

Tena et-nashai ve'et-yeladai asher avadeti otcha bahen ve'elecha ki atah yadata et-avodati asher avadticha.

Hebrew Leining Text

תְּנָ֞ה אֶת־נָשַׁ֣י וְאֶת־יְלָדַ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָבַ֧דְתִּי אֹֽתְךָ֛ בָּהֵ֖ן וְאֵלֵ֑כָה כִּ֚י אַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתָּ אֶת־עֲבֹדָתִ֖י אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲבַדְתִּֽיךָ׃
תְּנָ֞ה אֶת־נָשַׁ֣י וְאֶת־יְלָדַ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָבַ֧דְתִּי אֹֽתְךָ֛ בָּהֵ֖ן וְאֵלֵ֑כָה כִּ֚י אַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתָּ אֶת־עֲבֹדָתִ֖י אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲבַדְתִּֽיךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Genesis 30:26) is part of Yaakov Avinu's plea to Lavan, his father-in-law, requesting permission to leave with his wives and children after years of labor. Yaakov had served Lavan for fourteen years to marry Rachel and Leah, followed by six additional years tending Lavan's flocks (see Genesis 31:41). The verse reflects Yaakov's demand for what is rightfully his after fulfilling his contractual obligations.

Yaakov's Argument

Rashi explains that Yaakov emphasizes "אֲשֶׁר עָבַדְתִּי אֹתְךָ בָּהֵן" ("for whom I have served thee") to highlight that his wives and children were rightfully earned through his labor. The phrase "כִּי אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת־עֲבֹדָתִי" ("for thou knowst my service") underscores that Lavan was fully aware of Yaakov's honest and diligent work, despite Lavan's repeated attempts to deceive him (Rashi on Genesis 30:26).

Legal and Ethical Dimensions

  • Rambam (Hilchos Sechirus 13:6) cites this exchange as a precedent for the halachic principle that an employer must honor agreed-upon wages and not withhold what is due to a worker.
  • The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 74:9) notes that Yaakov's phrasing demonstrates his righteousness—he does not demand compensation beyond what was promised, only his rightful family and possessions.

Yaakov's Humility and Persistence

The Sforno comments that Yaakov's tone is respectful yet firm, avoiding confrontation while asserting his rights. This aligns with the middah of Yaakov, who embodies emes (truth) and seeks justice without arrogance. The phrase "וְאֵלֵכָה" ("and let me go") reflects his longing to return to Eretz Yisrael, fulfilling his spiritual destiny (Sforno on Genesis 30:25-26).

Lavan's Response and Broader Lessons

Though not part of this verse, the continuation of the narrative (Genesis 30:27-28) shows Lavan admitting Yaakov's value—a rare acknowledgment from a deceitful man. The Kli Yakar teaches that this interaction underscores the importance of integrity in labor and divine justice: Yaakov's perseverance is rewarded, while Lavan's schemes ultimately fail (Kli Yakar on Genesis 30:26-28).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 13b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing Jacob's service to Laban and the fairness of his request for his wives and children.
📖 Bava Metzia 83a
The verse is cited in a discussion about labor and wages, illustrating Jacob's claim for his rightful compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the context of Genesis 30:26?
A: Genesis 30:26 is part of the story where Yaakov (Jacob) speaks to Lavan (Laban) after working for him for many years. Yaakov asks for his wives (Rachel and Leah) and children, whom he earned through his labor, so he can return to his homeland. This follows Yaakov's 14 years of service for Lavan in exchange for his daughters (Rashi on Genesis 29:18, 30:26).
Q: Why did Yaakov emphasize 'you know my service' in this verse?
A: Yaakov reminds Lavan that he knows how faithfully and diligently Yaakov worked for him. According to Rashi and Midrashic sources, Yaakov's labor was honest and beyond reproach, despite Lavan's repeated attempts to deceive him (Genesis Rabbah 70:19). This highlights Yaakov's righteousness and Lavan's dishonesty.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yaakov's request in this verse?
A: This verse teaches the importance of fair compensation for honest work. Yaakov, after fulfilling his obligations, rightfully demands what he earned. Jewish ethics, as discussed in the Talmud (Bava Metzia 83a), emphasize that workers deserve timely and just payment for their labor, mirroring Yaakov's stance here.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish views on labor and employer relationships?
A: The verse underscores Torah principles about employer-employee relationships. The Rambam (Hilchot Sechirut 13:7) rules that employers must treat workers fairly, pay wages promptly, and not exploit them—principles Yaakov upholds by insisting on his rightful due after years of difficult labor under Lavan.
Q: Why did Yaakov want to leave Lavan at this point?
A: After fulfilling his 14-year commitment (7 years for each daughter) and fathering 11 sons, Yaakov sought to return to Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) as per Hashem's will (Genesis 31:3). Rashi notes that Yaakov also wanted to distance his family from Lavan's negative influence (Genesis 31:2).