And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.

But he answered: Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how great thy possession hath been in my hands.

And he said to him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and what thy cattle has become with me.

And he saith unto him, 'Thou, thou hast known that which I have served thee in, and that which thy substance was with me;

Then Jacob said, You have seen what I have done for you, and how your cattle have done well under my care.

But he responded: "You know how I have served you, and how great your possession became in my hands.

Et dixit ad eum, Tu nosti qualiter servierim tibi, et quale fuit pecus tuum mecum:

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, (1-Corinthians 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," [1] 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.

Footnotes

1 - In conspectu meo lphgy Ver. 30.

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.