Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 30:25

"And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country." — Genesis 30:25 (ASV)

JACOB SERVES LABAN SIX YEARS FOR WAGES.

Jacob said to Laban, Send me away. —After Jacob had served Laban fourteen years for his two daughters, he continued with him for twenty years without any settled wages, receiving only support for himself and family. During most of this time, he would have been too burdened with pregnant wives and young children to wish to undertake such a long journey. (See “Excursus on Chronology of Jacob’s Life.”) In these thirty-four years of service, there would be time for the vast increase of Laban’s wealth referred to in Genesis 30:30.

But eventually Joseph is born, and with most of his other sons grown to manhood and Rachel ready for the journey, Jacob desired to return to his father; if for no other reason, it was still because it was now time to provide for his children, and because at Isaac’s death he was a joint heir to his property.