Jacob, Laban's Changing Wages, and the Angel's Promise

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayetzei 24:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Genesis 31:5-8:) "AND HE SAID TO THEM: I SEE YOUR FATHER'S FACE [is not toward me as before], and so on; "AND YOU YOURSELVES KNOW [that with all my strength I have served your father]," and so on; "AND YOUR FATHER HAS MOCKED ME [and changed my wages ten times]," and so on; "IF HE SHOULD SAY THUS [the speckled shall be your wages]," and so on (there, verses 5, 6, 7, 8). Rabbi Berekhyah said: "IF HE SAID THUS" is not written here, but rather "IF HE SHOULD SAY THUS." And the angel was saying to Jacob: "If Laban should say thus, by your life, just as you wish, so I will do for you."

Themes

Divine ProvidenceAngels

Biblical References

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