Genesis 30:34 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּ֥אמֶר לָבָ֖ן הֵ֑ן ל֖וּ יְהִ֥י כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
BSAAgreedhên [very good, I would it might be] saidʼâmar▸ LabanLâbân [the father of Rachel and Leah] Let it behâyâh▸ [go to, would that it might be] as you have saiddâbâr [according to thy word, as you have spoken]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּ֥אמֶר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לָבָ֖ן | Laban | Noun proper masculine |
| הֵ֑ן | there! | Particle |
| ל֖וּ | if | Conjunction |
| יְהִ֥י | let it be | Verb, Qal, jussive third person masculine singular |
| כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | according to word your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | “Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.” |
| KJV | And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. |
| ASV | And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. |
| YLT | And Laban saith, 'Lo, O that it were according to thy word;' |
| WEB | Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.” |
| BBE | And Laban said, Let it be as you say. |
Where they part company is יְהִ֥י — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a jussive clause expressing Laban's desire for the agreement to be fulfilled.




5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectלָבָן
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 30:34
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Jacob's Agreement with Labangenerated
Genesis 30:34 describes a moment of agreement between Laban and Jacob regarding the terms of Jacob's wages. Laban, seeking to finalize their arrangement, responds positively to Jacob's proposal about the livestock. This interaction is part of a larger narrative where Jacob is negotiating his future with Laban, who is his father-in-law and employer.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 22:29 | Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!” |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 7:7 | I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 14:5 | I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified. |
| 4 | Galatians 5:12 | As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְהִ֥י, ye.Higenerated
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) means 'to be' or 'to exist.' It is used in various contexts to indicate the existence or occurrence of something. In this verse, it appears in the jussive form, expressing a wish or desire for something to become reality.
The jussive form indicates that Laban is not just stating a fact but is expressing a desire for the agreement to take effect as Jacob has proposed. This highlights the importance of Jacob's words and Laban's willingness to comply.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in this verse is יֹּ֥אמֶר, he said, which governs the entire statement. It is followed by the subject, לָבָ֖ן, Laban, and then the jussive verb יְהִ֥י, let it be, indicating Laban's consent.
The structure is straightforward, with Laban's agreement directly following his spoken words. This reflects a clear and immediate response to Jacob's proposal.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְהִ֥י as ἔστω, which means 'let it be.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the sense of Laban's wish for the agreement to be fulfilled.
This translation choice emphasizes the consent and willingness of Laban to accept Jacob's terms.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 30:34 shows Laban agreeing to Jacob's terms regarding the livestock. Laban expresses his consent with a positive response, indicating that he is willing to accept Jacob's proposal as stated.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Laban is agreeing to Jacob's terms regarding the division of the livestock, indicating his acceptance of the proposal.
This moment is crucial as it sets the terms for Jacob's future with Laban and the management of the flocks.
Laban's agreement suggests a willingness to negotiate and reach a compromise, though it also reflects his shrewd nature in business dealings.
This agreement is part of Jacob's complex relationship with Laban, highlighting themes of negotiation, trust, and the dynamics of their familial ties.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from Laban's willingness to agree to Jacob's terms?
- How do negotiations in our own lives reflect the principles seen in this passage?
- In what ways can we ensure our agreements are fair and transparent?
- How does this interaction between Jacob and Laban inform our understanding of family dynamics in business?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 30:34 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Laban said,.... Being well pleased with the proposal Jacob made, as knowing that, generally speaking, cattle of a colour produced those that were of the same; and whereas Jacob proposed to have a
Read John Gill on Genesis 30 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 30 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLaban trusted to the course of nature, whereby cattle usually bring forth their young of their own colour; and Jacob relied upon the providence of an Almighty God, and his gracious Father.
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 30 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 30:34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.Ver. 34. Behold, I would it might be.] He was glad to have him on the hip for a bad bargain, but is fairly deceived himself. God will see to his servants, that they shall not lose all: though the world think it neither sin nor pity to defraud them of their due.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 30 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges25–43 (J, E). Jacob’s Wages In this passage and in the following chapter Laban is depicted in the Israelite narrative as the typical Aramaean, a crafty, selfish, grasping man of business. Jacob, however, in spite of Laban’s duplicity, prospers exceedingly. By greater cunning he outwits Laban himself, and God gives him protection and prosperity.
Read Cambridge on Genesis 30 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
“Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.”
Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.”
“Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.”
“Agreed!” said Laban, “It will be as you say.”
Tyndale line
And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.
And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.
And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.
And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.
Then Laban sayde, Goe to, woulde God it might be according to thy saying.
Strictly literal
And Laban said, Well, let it be according to thy word.
And Laban saith, 'Lo, O that it were according to thy word;'
And Laban says, “Behold, O that it were according to your word”;
And Laban said, Well, let it be according to thy word.
Laban said, “Agreed. Let it be according to your word.”
From the Latin
And Laban said: I like well what thou demandest.
Simplified
“Very good,” Laban agreed. “We'll do as you say.”
And Laban said, Let it be as you say.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in this verse, with a few differences in word order and structure. The Samaritan Pentateuch, however, presents a variation where three words differ, indicating a different interpretation of Laban's response.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר לָבָ֖ן הֵ֑ן ל֖וּ יְהִ֥י כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויאמר לבן והן לא יהיה כדבריך
3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: לא (not), יהיה (be), דבריך (word)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 30:34
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
לָבָן (la.van) refers to Laban, a figure from the Patriarchal narratives, specifically the son of Bethuel and brother of Rebekah, who is the father-in-law of Jacob. The term also denotes a location associated with the Israelites' desert journey. The name Laban means 'white' and appears in contexts relating to both a person and a geographical site.
לָבָן 54 n.pr.m. son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father-in-law of Jacob
base
לָבָן n.pr.loc. connected with desert-journey of Israelites Dt 1:1
ref
H3837a לָבָן son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father-in-law of Jacob H3837b לָבָן connected with desert-journey of Israelites
3837 Laban law-bawn'
the same as 3836; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the
Desert:--Laban.
see HEBREW for 03836
לָבָן (la.van) — Laban.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.24.29;
son of: Bethuel (H1328A);
brother of: Rebekah (H7259);
father of: Rachel (H7354) and Leah (H3812)
§ Laban = "white"
son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel
לָבָן (la.van) — Laban.
§ Laban = "white"
a wilderness encampment of the Israelites
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
la'-ban: The person named Laban, labhan; (Laban, possibly connected with the root meaning "to be white," from which in Hebrew the adjective meaning "white" has just this form) is first introduced to the reader of Genesis in the story of the wooing of Rebekah (Genesis 24). He belonged to that branch of the family of Terah that was derived from Abraham's brother Nahor and his niece Milcah. The genealogy of this branch is traced in Ge 22:20-24; but, true to its purpose and the place it occupies in the book, this genealogy brings the family down to Rebekah, and there stops without mentioning Laban. Accordingly, when Rebekah is introduced in the narrative of Genesis 24, she is referred to (24:15,24) in a way that recalls to the reader the genealogy already given; but when her brother Laban is introduced (24:29), he is related to his…
Laban
White. (1.) The son of Bethuel, who was the son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. He lived at Haran in Mesopotamia. His sister Rebekah was Isaac’s wife (Gen. 24). Jacob, one of the sons of this marriage, fled to the house of Laban, whose daughters Leah and Rachel (ch. 29) he eventually married. (See JACOB.)
(2.) A city in the Arabian desert in the route of the Israelites (Deut. 1:1), probably identical with Libnah (Num. 33:20).
(white). Son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel. (B.C. about 1860-1740.) The elder branch of the family remained at Haran, Mesopotamia, when Abraham removed to the land of Canaan, and it is there that we first meet with Laban, as taking the leading part in the betrothal of his sister Rebekah to her cousin Isaac. (Genesis 24:10,29-60; 27:43; 29:5) The next time Laban appears in the sacred narrative it is as the host of his nephew Jacob at Haran. (Genesis 29:13,14) [JACOB] Jacob married Rachel and Leah, daughters of Laban, and remained with him 20 years, B.C. 1760-1740. But Laban’s dishonest and overreaching practice toward his nephew shows from what source Jacob inherited his tendency to sharp dealing. Nothing is said of Laban after Jacob left him. One…
A rich herdsman of Mesopotamia, son of Bethuel, and grandson of Mahor, Abraham’s brother, Ge 24:28-31. His character is shown in the gladness with which he gave his sister Rebekah in marriage to the only son of his rich uncle, Abraham, Ge 24:30,50; and in his deceitful and exacting treatment of Jacob his nephew and son-inlaw, against which Jacob defended himself by cunning as well as fidelity. When the prosperity of the one family and the jealousy of the other rendered peace impossible, Jacob, at the command of God, secretly departed, to go to Canaan. Laban pursued him; but being warned by God to do him no harm, returned home after making a treaty of peace. He seems to have known and worshipped God, Ge 24:50 30:27 31:53; but…
הֵן (hen) is a demonstrative adverb or interjection meaning 'lo!' or 'behold!'. It is primarily used to draw attention to a fact that prompts action or leads to a conclusion. The word can also express surprise and is less common than its counterpart הִנֵּה (hinneh). Additionally, it can function hypothetically as 'if'.
הֵן 100 demonstr.adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based
base
H2005 הֵן demonstr. adv. or interj. lo!, behold (on etym. v. הִנֵּה), less widely used than הִנֵּה, and in prose mostly confined to calling attention to some fact upon which action is to be taken, or a conclusion based
2005 hen hane
a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise)
if:--behold, if, lo, though.
הֵן (hen) — look!.
interj
1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part
2) if
Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Part — ParticleHTj
לוּ (lu) is a conditional particle meaning 'if' and expresses a wish, as in 'O that!' or 'if only!'. It indicates unlikely conditions or hypothetical situations. The entries consistently highlight its use in expressing desires or wishes, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
לוּ 17 and לוּא conj. if, O that
if (stating a case which has not been, or is not likely to be, realized)
If only …! i.e. O that! would that!
base
H3863 לוּ, לוּא if, O that
3863 luw' loo
or lu {loo}; or luw {loo}; a conditional particle; if; by
implication (interj. as a wish) would that!:--if (haply),
peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God (that).
לוּ (lu) — if.
1) if, oh that!, if only!
1a) if (unlikely condition)
1b) if only!, oh that!, would that!
HC — ConjunctionHC
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine singularHVqj3ms
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
