Genesis 31:15

Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold vs, and hath quite deuoured also our money. Genesis 31:15 (KJV)

The sentence quoted in Genesis 31:15 does not appear in the biblical narrative as spoken by Rachel or Leah; the dialogue recorded in Genesis 31 is between Jacob and Laban. Nevertheless, the words capture the sense of alienation and exploitation that permeates the story of Jacob’s departure from Laban’s household.

Jacob had served Laban for twenty years. For fourteen of those years he worked in exchange for the hand of Laban’s daughters, Rachel and Leah, and for an additional six years he tended the flock, a period often described as the “six years for cattle.” During this long tenure Laban repeatedly altered Jacob’s wages, a practice that strained their relationship and highlighted Laban’s deceptive character. The shifting wages and the loss of earnings are reflected in the phrase “hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money,” which conveys a feeling of being treated as strangers in one’s own family.

When Jacob decided to return to his homeland, he took his wives, children, and possessions with him. The narrative emphasizes the complexities of family dynamics, especially the tension that arises when a patriarch exploits his own household for personal gain. While the quoted sentence is not a direct biblical quotation, it serves as a thematic summary of the resentment that Jacob and his family felt toward Laban’s unfair practices.

The passage invites readers to reflect on the broader biblical themes of trust, stewardship, and the consequences of deceit within families. It reminds believers that even within the covenant community, relationships can become strained by selfish ambition and financial manipulation. By examining Jacob’s experience, the study encourages a deeper appreciation for God’s providence amid human frailty and the importance of maintaining integrity in all dealings, especially within the family unit.