King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:41 Mean?

Genesis 31:41 in the King James Version says “Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy ca...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.”

Genesis 31:41 · KJV

Context

39

That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.

40

Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

41

Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

42

Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

43

And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and ... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
זֶה1 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לִּ֞י2 of 19
H0
עֶשְׂרִ֣ים3 of 19

“Thus have I been twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

שָׁנִ֖ים4 of 19

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּבֵיתֶךָ֒5 of 19

“in thy house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

עֲבַדְתִּ֜יךָ6 of 19

“I served thee”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אַרְבַּֽע7 of 19

“fourteen”

H702

four

עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה8 of 19
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנִ֖ים9 of 19

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בִּשְׁתֵּ֣י10 of 19

“for thy two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בְנֹתֶ֔יךָ11 of 19

“daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְשֵׁ֥שׁ12 of 19

“and six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

שָׁנִ֖ים13 of 19

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּצֹאנֶ֑ךָ14 of 19

“for thy cattle”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וַתַּֽחֲלֵ֥ף15 of 19

“and thou hast changed”

H2498

properly, to slide by, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change

אֶת16 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַשְׂכֻּרְתִּ֖י17 of 19

“my wages”

H4909

wages or a reward

עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת18 of 19

“ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

מֹנִֽים׃19 of 19

“times”

H4489

properly, something weighed out, i.e., (figuratively) a portion of time, i.e., an instance

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 31:41 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 31:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 31:7Genesis 31:381 Corinthians 15:10Genesis 29:18-30Genesis 30:33-402 Corinthians 11:26

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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