And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
How carefully it was managed, and how greatly improved by my care and industry.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he said unto him,…. Jacob to Laban,
thou knowest that I have served thee; not only diligently and faithfully, without any salary, excepting for his wives; otherwise he had no wages for his service all this time, which therefore should be considered for the future:
and how thy cattle was with me: always under his care, and he ever watchful of them; spent all his time and labour with them, and had no opportunity of getting anything for himself.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
29. Thou knowest how I have served thee. This answer of Jacob is not intended to increase the amount of his wages; but he would expostulate with Laban, and would charge him with acting unjustly and unkindly in requiring a prolongation of the time of service. There is also no doubt that he is carried forth, with every desire of his mind, towards the land of Canaan. Therefore a return thither was, in his view, preferable to any kind of riches whatever. Yet, in the mealtime, he indirectly accuses his father-in-law, both of cunning and of inhumanity, in order that he may extort something from him, if be must remain longer. For he could not hope that the perfidious old fox would, of himself, perform an act of justice; neither does Jacob simply commend his own industry, but shows that he had to deal with an unjust and cruel man. Meanwhile, it is to be observed, that although he had labored strenuously, he yet ascribes nothing to his own labor, but imputes it entirely to the blessing of God that Laban had been enriched. For though when men faithfully devote themselves to their duty, they do not lose their labor; yet their success depends entirely upon the favor of God. What Paul asserts concerning the efficacy of teaching, extends still further, that he who plants and he who waters is nothing, (1Co 3:7,) for the similitude is taken from general experience. The use of this doctrine is twofold. First, whatever I attempt, or to whatever work I apply my hands, it is my duty to desire God to bless my labor, that it may not be vain and fruitless. Then, if I have obtained anything, my second duty is to ascribe the praise to God; without whose blessing, men in vain rise up early, fatigue themselves the whole day, late take rest, eat the bread of carefulness, and taste even a little water with sorrow. With respect to the meaning of the words, when Jacob says, “It was little that thou hadst in my sight, ” (84) Jerome has well and skilfully translated them “before I came.” For Moses puts the face of Jacob for his actual coming and dwelling with Laban.
(84) In conspectu meo לפגי Ver. 30.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Gen 30:29. Thou knowest how I have served thee Who that saw Jacob deceiving his aged father, would have expected to have heard of such a witness as Laban, appearing, after so many years experience, for Jacob’s sincerity in the discharge of all the duties of a servant and a son!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 30:29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
Ver. 29. Thou knowest how I have served thee, ] sc ., With all my might, and to thy singular advantage: if therefore I stay longer, reason requireth that there should be some respect had to my benefit also, since he that “provideth not for his own is worse than an infidel”. 1Ti 5:8
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 30:5, Gen 31:6, Gen 31:38-40, Mat 24:45, Eph 6:5-8, Col 3:22-25, Tit 2:9, Tit 2:10, 1Pe 2:15, 1Pe 2:18
Reciprocal: Gen 4:2 – And Abel Gen 30:26 – for thou Psa 144:13 – our sheep