Genesis 31:15 Commentary and Bible Study

Leah and Rachel know a rare moment of unity. They are agreed that God has been at work in Jacob’s life. They also know that their father has not treated them with dignity and honour that is fitting. He has bartered for them as if they were items for sale, and has secured Jacob’s services at the cost of their hands in marriage, using that service only to try to enrich himself; he has also tricked Jacob in a most cynical way which has put in place a foundation of sorrow for the entire family. If their father had treated them in this way, what future benefits could they expect from him? Their future lay with their husband. Kitto points out that they complain about a further injustice their father had done them: he had taken this payment from Jacob in the form of service, and they had received no benefit from it at all – ‘they were left without the separate means to which they were by their rank in life entitled.’ Their riches were now in the possession of Jacob and so for this reason also, they would remain with him.