And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
And Laban said to Jacob, 'Just because you are my relative, should you work for me without pay? Tell me, what should your wages be?'
Laban is asking Jacob what payment he wants for his work, acknowledging that even family members deserve fair compensation for their labor.
📚 Historical Context
This conversation takes place after Jacob had fled from his brother Esau and arrived at his uncle Laban's home in Haran. Jacob had been working for Laban for about a month without discussing payment, helping with the household and caring for Laban's flocks. In ancient Near Eastern culture, it was common for extended family members to work together, but fair compensation was still expected even among relatives.
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