Laban's Seventy Sheep and the Treasure Jacob's Foot Uncovered

"For it was little which you had" (Genesis 30:30). All of Laban's flock, at the time when Jacob came, was no more than seventy. It is written here, "For it was little," and it is written concerning Israel, "And he sojourned there, few in number" (Deuteronomy 26:5): just as there it was with seventy, so too here it was seventy. "at my foot" (Genesis 30:30). At the moment when Laban went to meet Jacob, and "embraced him and kissed him" (Genesis 29:13), it was to learn whether he had brought money, and he found none. He waited for him until he came to his house. He said: It is certain that he has hidden his money in the place that is at his feet. And he went and dug at the place of his feet, and he found a hidden treasure of gold and silver. Therefore he said "at my foot." And some say: there is a foot that brings blessing, and there is a foot that brings dryness.