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
In the biblical narrative of Genesis, Jacob had fled from his brother Esau after deceiving him and traveled to Haran, where he met his uncle Laban, who was a prosperous shepherd. Laban welcomed Jacob as family but was practical about his labor, asking for fair wages in line with ancient Near Eastern customs where relatives often worked together yet expected compensation to maintain household economies. This conversation highlights the cultural emphasis on negotiated agreements in family and business matters during that patriarchal era.
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