Genesis 30:27

ESV But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you.
NIV But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you."
NASB But Laban said to him, 'If it pleases you at all, stay with me; I have determined by divination that the Lord has blessed me on your account.'
CSB But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor with you, stay. I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you."
NLT Please listen to me,' Laban replied. 'I have become wealthy, for the Lord has blessed me because of you.
KJV And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.
NKJV And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake.”

What does Genesis 30:27 mean?

Jacob has met the terms of the agreement he had with Laban to work a total of fourteen years for his wives Rachel and Leah (Genesis 29:18–30). In that time, at least 11 children have been added to Jacob's family. Now Jacob wants to go home. He has demanded that Laban, whom he has served as an indentured servant and slave, now release him, along with his wives and children.

Laban's response here does not contain a yes or a no. Instead, he politely asks Jacob to stay. Laban reveals that he knows he is prospering because of the Lord's blessing of Jacob.

Scholars seem to disagree about exactly what is meant by Laban's statement about divination. It's possible that he looked for good omens or performed a ritual to determine the Lord's blessing. Or the language may simply mean that Laban "divined" the truth, figured it out, from the fact that he had grown so wealthy.

In any case, Laban says he has a lot to lose, financially, if Jacob leaves.
Expand
Context Summary
Genesis 30:25-43 describes Jacob's struggle to convince Laban to allow him to return to his own people with his wives and children, even though the 14 years of Jacob's contracted service have ended. Laban asks Jacob to name new wages to continue to work for him. Laban knows he has grown wealthy due to the Lord's blessing on Jacob. Jacob asks to own all the new off-color sheep and goats that will be born to Laban's flock. Laban agrees and quickly tries to cheat Jacob. Nevertheless, the Lord blesses Jacob's unusual breeding practices, causing so many off-color animals to be born in the flock that Jacob becomes a wealthy man in his own right. Soon he will leave Laban behind for good.
Expand
Chapter Context
God alone gives children. He causes babies to be born. He even determines what color baby sheep and goats will be. Genesis 30 describes the urgent desire of Rachel and Leah to have sons for Jacob and how God hears and grants their prayers in His own time. In addition, God blesses Jacob's unusual breeding practices with Laban's flocks to finally allow Jacob to overcome his father-in-law's schemes to keep Jacob under his service.
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: