What can we learn from Laban?

God protects those who are taken advantage of: Laban changes Jacob’s wages ten times, but “God suffered him not to hurt me” (Gen 31:7). We reap what we sow: Jacob, who had deceived his father, is deceived in turn by his uncle (Gen 27:19; 29:25). Acknowledging God’s blessing is not the same as serving him: Laban says “the LORD hath blessed me,” yet keeps his household gods (Gen 30:27; 31:30). Hospitality opens doors, but self-interest closes them again (Gen 24:31-32; 31:41).

Patriarchs · around 2000-1850 BC

Laban in the Bible

Jacob’s father-in-law, a master of tricks. Name meaning: A Hebrew name meaning “white”; the Bible calls him “Laban the Syrian” (Gen 25:20)

Brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel, Laban the Aramean takes in his nephew Jacob, a fugitive from Canaan. He employs him for twenty years, tricks him on his wedding night by giving him Leah instead of Rachel, and then changes his wages ten times. But God protects Jacob: Laban, who chased him all the way to Gilead, makes a covenant with him and heads home after blessing his daughters (Gen 24; 29–31).

Main books: Genesis

Key moments

With Bethuel, he consents to his sister Rebekah’s marriage Genesis 24:50
He welcomes Jacob: “thou art my bone and my flesh” Genesis 29:14
He gives Leah to Jacob instead of Rachel Genesis 29:25
He admits the LORD has blessed him for Jacob’s sake Genesis 30:27
He changes Jacob’s wages ten times Genesis 31:7
God warns him in a dream not to attack Jacob Genesis 31:24
He searches the tents for his gods Genesis 31:33
He seals the covenant at Galeed, then blesses his daughters Genesis 31:55

Strengths

Hospitality
Cunning
Greed
Devotion to family

Weaknesses

Laban uses Jacob: he pulls a trick on him on his wedding night, changes his wages ten times, and, according to his daughters, has “quite devoured” the money that belonged to them (Gen 29:25; 31:7, 15). He also keeps family idols, the household gods, which he calls “my gods” (Gen 31:30), even as he admits that the LORD has blessed him (Gen 30:27).

Lessons for today

God protects those who are taken advantage of: Laban changes Jacob’s wages ten times, but “God suffered him not to hurt me” (Gen 31:7).
We reap what we sow: Jacob, who had deceived his father, is deceived in turn by his uncle (Gen 27:19; 29:25).
Acknowledging God’s blessing is not the same as serving him: Laban says “the LORD hath blessed me,” yet keeps his household gods (Gen 30:27; 31:30).
Hospitality opens doors, but self-interest closes them again (Gen 24:31-32; 31:41).

And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

Genesis 29:25

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.

Genesis 30:27

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Genesis 31:24

People around Laban

Rebekah — Sister, who became Isaac’s wife
Bethuel — Father, who consented with him to Rebekah’s marriage
Jacob — Nephew, then son-in-law and hired hand
Leah — Older daughter, given to Jacob by trickery
Rachel — Younger daughter, loved by Jacob
Zilpah and Bilhah — Servants he gave to Leah and to Rachel

Stories with Laban

Jacob with Laban: Leah and Rachel

Quiz: how well do you know Laban?

How was Laban related to Rebekah?

How many years did Jacob first serve Laban to win Rachel?

Which daughter did Laban bring to Jacob on the wedding night?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.