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H7938 · Hebrew · Old Testament
שֶׂכֶר
seker
Noun
wages, hire, reward

Definition

Seker (H7938) means wages or payment for labor. Appearing in passages about Jacob's wages from Laban (Gen 29:15, 30:28, 32-33), it connects to questions of justice in labor and the theological theme of reward. Related to the Aramaic sakar and the broader Hebrew root of 'payment,' the word sits at the intersection of economics, ethics, and covenant faithfulness.

Usage & Theological Significance

The theme of wages in Scripture moves from the mundane to the profound. Jacob's wages became a story of divine justice — Laban cheated him repeatedly, yet God ensured Jacob received what was rightfully his (Gen 31:9). The theme escalates to eschatology: God is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb 11:6), and the wages He pays last eternally. Contrast this with sin's wages (Rom 6:23 — 'the wages of sin is death') and grace's gift (same verse — 'the free gift of God is eternal life'). Seker reminds us: what we labor for matters, and the Master who pays justly is God Himself.

Key Bible Verses

Genesis 29:15 Laban said to Jacob, 'Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages [seker] be?'
Genesis 30:32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep... such shall be my wages [seker].
Ruth 2:12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Hebrews 11:6 He rewards those who seek him.

Related Words

External Resources

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