Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.
Rachel and Leah spoke these words to Jacob in the field at his flock, after he had called them there to tell them that Laban's countenance had turned against him, that he had served Laban with all his power, that Laban had deceived him and changed his wages ten times but God had not suffered Laban to hurt him, and that God in a dream had told him to return to his kindred. Their words expressed dissatisfaction with their father's dealings and full agreement with Jacob's proposal to leave, thus supporting his departure. To be counted as strangers meant their father had treated them as outsiders to his own house.
That estrangement meant they had no portion or inheritance left in his house. To be sold and have their money devoured meant Laban had effectively sold them through their marriages for Jacob's labor, and had used up and kept for himself the bride-price, wealth, and dowry that should have come to them. By custom a father received a payment from a suitor or accepted his labor in place of payment, which served as a safeguard for marriage, and then generally gave it to his daughter as her dowry at marriage, but Laban selfishly retained what should have been given to them.
Laban acted from a selfish and grasping policy for his own gain, and he also treated Jacob with craft and harshness. On that basis the riches God had taken from Laban belonged to them and their children, and Jacob should now do whatever God had told him.
Rachel and Leah spoke these words to Jacob in the field at his flock, after he had called them there to tell them that Laban's countenance had turned against him, that he had served Laban with all his power, that Laban had deceived him and changed his wages ten times but God had not suffered Laban to hurt him, and that God in a dream had told him to return to his kindred. Their words expressed dissatisfaction with their father's dealings and full agreement with Jacob's proposal to leave, thus supporting his departure. To be counted as strangers meant their father had treated them as outsiders to his own house.
That estrangement meant they had no portion or inheritance left in his house. To be sold and have their money devoured meant Laban had effectively sold them through their marriages for Jacob's labor, and had used up and kept for himself the bride-price, wealth, and dowry that should have come to them. By custom a father received a payment from a suitor or accepted his labor in place of payment, which served as a safeguard for marriage, and then generally gave it to his daughter as her dowry at marriage, but Laban selfishly retained what should have been given to them.
Laban acted from a selfish and grasping policy for his own gain, and he also treated Jacob with craft and harshness. On that basis the riches God had taken from Laban belonged to them and their children, and Jacob should now do whatever God had told him.