King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:6 Mean?

Genesis 31:6 in the King James Version says “And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.”

Genesis 31:6 · KJV

Context

4

And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

5

And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.

6

And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

7

And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

8

If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.... 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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How should this truth about Covenant at Mizpah shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְאַתֵּ֖נָה1 of 8

“And ye”

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְדַעְתֶּ֑ן2 of 8

“know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֚י3 of 8
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּכָל4 of 8
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כֹּחִ֔י5 of 8

“that with all my power”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

עָבַ֖דְתִּי6 of 8

“I have served”

H5647

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

אֶת7 of 8
H853

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

אֲבִיכֶֽן׃8 of 8

“your father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 31:6 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 31:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 30:29Ephesians 6:5-8Titus 2:9-10Colossians 3:22-25Genesis 31:38-421 Peter 2:18

Test Your Knowledge

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

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