King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:7 Mean?

Genesis 31:7 in the King James Version says “And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 31:7 · KJV

Context

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.

9

Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt m... 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. What theological truths about Jacob's Flight from Laban emerge from this passage?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַֽאֲבִיכֶן֙1 of 13

“And your father”

H1

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

הֵ֣תֶל2 of 13

“hath deceived”

H2048

to deride; by implication, to cheat

בִּ֔י3 of 13
H0
וְהֶֽחֱלִ֥ף4 of 13

“me and changed”

H2498

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

אֶת5 of 13
H853

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

מַשְׂכֻּרְתִּ֖י6 of 13

“my wages”

H4909

wages or a reward

עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת7 of 13

“ten”

H6235

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

מֹנִ֑ים8 of 13

“times”

H4489

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

וְלֹֽא9 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נְתָנ֣וֹ10 of 13

“suffered him”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֱלֹהִ֔ים11 of 13

“but God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְהָרַ֖ע12 of 13

“not to hurt”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

עִמָּדִֽי׃13 of 13

“me”

H5978

along with

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 31:7 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 31:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 37:28Zechariah 8:23Genesis 31:29Numbers 14:22Genesis 31:41Nehemiah 4:12

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