Genesis 30:25 Commentary and Bible Study

Jacob has now been in Haran fourteen years. This is on the assumption that he took Rachel to be his wife at the start, not at the end, for the seven years he served Laban for her, which is the only possibility given the chronology of the sons’ births. There has been a high price to pay for his polygamy: the loss of his liberty, long years of service away from home, and the loss of opportunity to build up his own estate. There is a price to pay for disobedience. He wants to return home with his wives and children, but as yet he has had no word from the Lord that he should do so. His wives and children were his own, and surely he could take them whenever he chose to, but he asks Laban. Laban was powerful and his sons could have stood in the way of his leaving, and later Jacob tells Laban that he feared as much (Genesis 31:31). Jacob knew Laban was not a man to be trusted.It isn't mentioned here, but it is a little later. There was a lot of fear in this. Jacob, though he had the promise of God, also had great grounds for fear. Laban was very powerful, and he had many sons, and they were violent people, if necessary, to protect their interests. Jacob couldn't see how he could get his holdings, his flock, on a long journey to go away without being released by Laban. So it sounds servile, but he asks for his release. He had served Laban seven years, then seven more. Laban pleads with him to stay just a little longer. Jacob obviously realizes it isn't God's time, and he makes an arrangement with Laban to serve another seven years.