What shall I give you?: Laban’s question assumes that Jacob is willing to stay and work, or it may be understood as an unspoken refusal to allow Jacob to leave Haran. If the translator accepts the question as assuming Jacob will remain, it may be necessary to make this a condition followed by a question: “If you will stay with me, how much shall I pay you?” or “If you will continue working for me, tell me how much money you will want.”

You shall not give me anything: Jacob’s answer does not really mean that he does not want anything or that he is willing to work for nothing. Jacob’s reply must be seen as his own strategy in negotiating with this clever and oppressive uncle. Anything refers to wages, payment, and may have to be rendered, for example, “I do not want to be paid wages” or “I do not want you to pay me in money.”

If you will do this for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it: Jacob’s condition if you will do this may need to be placed after feed your flock and keep it, so that this is more clearly joined to “pass through your flock” in the next verse (so Good News Translation). Another arrangement is “I will again feed your flock and guard it, if you will let me go through all your flock….” Feed your flock is equivalent to “graze your animals,” “pasture your animals.” Keep it means “look after,” “take care,” “watch over,” “protect.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .