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.
