Jacob’s Prosperity
Genesis 30:25-43
Gen.30.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- ילדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- רחל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלחני: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- ואלכה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אל: NEG
- מקומי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,+1cs
- ולארצי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,+1cs
Parallels
- Genesis 30:22-24 (structural): Immediate narrative context: these verses record God enabling Rachel to conceive and bear Joseph, directly leading to Jacob's request to depart in 30:25.
- Genesis 29:20-30 (thematic): Background for Jacob's desire to leave Laban — recounts Jacob's long service and deception over marriage arrangements, explaining his motive to return to his own country.
- Genesis 31:3 (allusion): God's later command to Jacob to return to his father's land parallels and legitimates Jacob's expressed wish in 30:25 to go back to his own place.
- Genesis 31:18-21 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of Jacob's request: these verses describe Jacob's departure from Laban's household and flight back toward his homeland.
- Genesis 33:18 (thematic): Jacob's eventual arrival and settlement in his own land (at Shechem) completes the movement anticipated by his request in 30:25 to go to his country and place.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, that I may go to my place and to my land."
- And it happened, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, that I may go to my place and to my land."
Gen.30.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תנה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נשי: NOUN,f,pl,abs,1cs
- ואת: CONJ
- ילדי: NOUN,m,pl,abs,1cs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עבדתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- בהן: PREP+PRON,3,f,pl
- ואלכה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עבדתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg+2ms
Parallels
- Gen.29:15-20 (verbal): Jacob previously serves Laban seven years specifically to obtain Rachel — establishes the motif of serving for a wife and echoes the language of having ‘served’ for wives.
- Gen.31:3 (thematic): God commands Jacob to return to his homeland and leave Laban’s household, thematically matching Jacob’s request to have his wives and children and to depart.
- Gen.31:41-42 (verbal): Jacob’s later summary of his twenty years’ service before Laban (‘you know that I have served you…’) revisits the same claim in Gen 30:26 that Laban knows Jacob’s work on behalf of his wives and children.
- Gen.31:43-54 (structural): The confrontation, covenant and formal separation between Jacob and Laban immediately follow Jacob’s demand to take his family and go, providing the narrative resolution to the departure begun in Gen 30:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have served you."
- "Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have served you."
Gen.30.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- נא: PART
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- חן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- נחשתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,common,sg
- ויברכני: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+OBJ,1,common,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בגללך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.39:3-5 (verbal): Like Laban’s claim that “the LORD has blessed me because of you,” Genesis 39:3–5 says the LORD blessed his master’s house for Joseph’s sake — the same causal wording attributing household blessing to a righteous resident.
- 2 Sam.6:11-12 (thematic): The ark’s residence brought divine favor on Obed‑edom’s household (‘the LORD blessed the household of Obed‑edom because of the ark’), paralleling the motif of a person’s presence bringing God’s blessing to a house.
- Ruth 2:10 (verbal): Ruth’s phrase “why have I found favour in thine eyes?” echoes Laban’s opening clause “If I have found favour in your eyes,” sharing the same idiom of ‘finding favor in someone’s eyes’ as the basis for receiving kindness/blessing.
- Gen.6:8 (verbal): The formula ‘found favour/grace in the eyes’ appears earlier in Genesis (Noah ‘found grace in the eyes of the LORD’), linking Laban’s language to a wider biblical idiom that connects finding favour with ensuing divine blessing.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Laban said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, I have divined that the LORD has blessed me on your account."
- And Laban said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, I have divined, and the LORD has blessed me because of you."
Gen.30.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נקבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שכרך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ואתנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 29:15-20 (thematic): Jacob's earlier service for Rachel (seven years' labor as 'wages' for marriage) establishes the recurring motif of personal labor exchanged for a prescribed reward.
- Genesis 30:37-43 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Jacob's methods (striped rods, selective breeding) are the practical fulfillment of the wage agreement over flock offspring described around 30:28.
- Genesis 31:41-42 (structural): Jacob's later summary and complaint that Laban changed his wages echoes and reinterprets the wage-arrangement language and conflict first framed in Gen 30, emphasizing dispute over agreed recompense.
- Luke 10:7 (verbal): New Testament proverb 'the laborer is worthy of his hire' echoes the Bible's broader vocabulary and concern about rightful wages (שָׂכָר), offering a thematic parallel about compensation for service.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, "Name your wages for me, and I will give it."
- And he said, "Name your wages for me, and I will give it."
Gen.30.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ידעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עבדתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מקנך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+prs2m
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 29:20 (verbal): An earlier, explicit statement that Jacob 'served' Laban seven years for Rachel—parallels the theme and language of laboring for Laban's household.
- Genesis 31:38-41 (quotation): Jacob gives a detailed account of the twenty years he spent in Laban’s house, enumerating his service and the terms—this closely echoes and amplifies the claim 'you know how I have served you.'
- Genesis 31:36-42 (thematic): The confrontation between Jacob and Laban where Jacob defends himself against accusations (and Laban complains about losses) centers on Jacob’s service and treatment—same theme of service, wages, and fairness.
- Genesis 30:25 (structural): Immediate context: Jacob asks to be sent away to his own place, prompting Laban’s reminder about Jacob’s service—this situates 30:29 within the exchange over Jacob’s departure.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to him, "You know how I have served you, and what your livestock has been with me.
- And he said to him, "You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has fared with me;
Gen.30.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- מעט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- ויפרץ: VERB,qal,wayyi,3,m,sg
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לרגלי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs,1
- ועתה: CONJ
- מתי: ADV,int
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- גם: ADV
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- לביתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cs,1
Parallels
- Genesis 31:1-2 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel — Laban’s household also voices the same complaint that Jacob has acquired wealth that once belonged to his father, continuing the theme of envy over Jacob’s prosperity.
- Genesis 39:3-5 (verbal): Joseph in Potiphar’s house prospers because 'the LORD was with him' and everything he does succeeds, echoing the attribution of Jacob’s increase to the LORD’s blessing.
- 1 Samuel 18:12-16 (thematic): Saul becomes jealous when David prospers and 'the LORD was with David,' paralleling the motif of a benefactor/master resentful that another man’s success is seen as due to divine favor.
- Exodus 1:12 (thematic): The Israelites 'were fruitful and increased greatly' despite circumstances — a broader theme of small beginnings becoming numerous that echoes Laban’s observation that what was little has become many.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it was little that you had before I came, and it has broken forth to abundance, and the LORD has blessed you on my account. And now, when shall I also provide for my own household?"
- for you had little before I came, and it has increased to abundance, and the LORD has blessed you because of me. And now, when shall I also provide for my own household?"
Gen.30.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תתן: VERB,qal,imprf,2,_,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מאומה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אשובה: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- ארעה: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- צאנך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- אשמר: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
Parallels
- Gen.30:25-36 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the same exchange continues — Laban asks “What shall I give you?” and Jacob refuses wages, proposing instead to tend and shepherd Laban’s flocks under specified terms.
- Gen.29:15-20 (thematic): Earlier agreement between Jacob and Laban in which Jacob offers to serve seven years for Rachel’s hand — parallels the motif of Jacob’s long service to Laban and willingness to work rather than receive immediate pay.
- Gen.31:38-42 (verbal): Jacob’s later recounting of his years with Laban and the issue of wages (he says Laban changed his wages repeatedly) revisits the same servant–master/wages problem raised in 30:31.
- Matt.20:1-16 (thematic): Parable of the laborers in the vineyard treats themes of labor, agreed payment, and fairness in wages — thematically relevant to Jacob’s negotiation/refusal of pay and the justice of recompense.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, "What shall I give you?" And Jacob said, "You shall not give me anything; if you will do this thing for me, I will return and pasture your flock, I will keep it:
- And he said, "What shall I give you?" And Jacob said, "You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will return, shepherd your flock, and keep it:
Gen.30.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אעבר: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צאנך: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הסר: VERB,hiph,impv,2,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- כל: DET
- שה: PRON,rel
- נקד: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וטלוא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- שה: PRON,rel
- חום: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בכשבים: PREP
- וטלוא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ונקד: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בעזים: PREP
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- שכרי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
Parallels
- Genesis 30:37-43 (verbal): Continues directly the account: Jacob uses peeled and striped rods and a breeding technique to produce the speckled, spotted, and ringstraked animals that became his wages — explicit procedural follow‑up to 30:32.
- Genesis 30:33-36 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation showing Laban's response and the practical separation of the animals Laban removes, completing the contractual arrangement introduced in 30:32.
- Genesis 31:10-12 (quotation): Jacob recounts a dream in which the rams were ringstraked and speckled and reports that God told him those would be his wages — a direct retelling/allusion to the agreement described in 30:32.
- Genesis 31:38-42 (thematic): Jacob defends himself to Laban by restating the agreement and explaining how God enabled him to prosper with respect to the speckled and spotted flocks — echoing the theme of 30:32 (wages, selection, and divine blessing).
Alternative generated candidates
- Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there every animal that is speckled and spotted—every dark-colored one among the sheep, and the spotted and the speckled among the goats—and that will be my wages.
- let me pass through all your flock today; you remove from there every speckled and spotted one, every dark-colored one among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats—these shall be my wages."
Gen.30.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וענתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- צדקתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss1,sg
- ביום: PREP
- מחר: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- שכרי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- איננו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl,neg
- נקד: ADJ,m,pl
- וטלוא: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl
- בעזים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וחום: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl
- בכשבים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- גנוב: ADJ,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 31:36-42 (verbal): Jacob's extended reply to Laban repeats the same defense about his wages, righteousness, and the flocks — including the claim that what was not speckled or spotted was effectively taken from him and that losses by beasts were his burden.
- Genesis 30:37-39 (structural): Immediate narrative context describing Jacob's technique with rods and the resulting speckled/spotted and brown offspring — directly linked to the categories of animals named in 30:33.
- Genesis 31:19 (allusion): Rachel's theft of her father's household gods (ʾelōhîm) is another instance in the Jacob–Laban material where the language and motif of 'theft' (גנב/גנוב) and disputed possession appear.
- Exodus 22:1-3 (thematic): Legal material on stolen livestock and restitution addresses the same social-legal concern — who bears loss and what counts as 'stolen' animals — the background for Jacob and Laban's dispute over flocks.
Alternative generated candidates
- And my righteousness will answer for me tomorrow, when you come regarding my wages in your presence: everyone that is not speckled or spotted among the goats, and dark-colored among the sheep, shall be counted stolen with me."
- "And my righteousness will answer for me tomorrow: when you come to look upon my wages before you, every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and dark-colored among the lambs, will be found stolen by me."
Gen.30.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הן: PART
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- יהי: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- כדברך: PREP+NOUN+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 30:27-33 (verbal): Immediate context: Laban poses the question about payment and Jacob proposes the flocks-as-wages arrangement; 30:34 records Laban's verbal assent—language and action are directly continuous with these verses.
- Genesis 31:44-55 (structural): Later scene where Jacob and Laban set up a heap and make a covenant; it is the formal resolution of the same dispute/negotiation between the two men and repeats themes of terms, witnesses, and agreement.
- Ruth 4:3-10 (thematic): Negotiation and formal acceptance in a legal/kinship transaction (redeeming land and levirate-like marriage rights); parallels the procedural and contractual character of Jacob and Laban’s agreement.
- Exodus 21:2-6 (thematic): Regulation of servitude and terms of service/wages in Israelite law; thematically related to Jacob’s contractual arrangement with Laban about service and remuneration.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Laban said, "Behold, let it be according to your word."
- And Laban said, "Look, let it be according to your word."
Gen.30.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- התישים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- העקדים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- והטלאים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- העזים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הנקדות: ADJ,f,pl,def
- והטלאת: CONJ+ADJ,f,pl,def
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- חום: ADJ,m,sg
- בכשבים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
Parallels
- Genesis 30:37-43 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation that explains Jacob’s technique (peeling rods) and the successful outcome of producing speckled and spotted offspring—directly connected to verse 30:35’s separating of animals.
- Genesis 30:22-24 (thematic): Contrasts Jacob’s husbandry strategies with the theme of divine intervention in fertility (Rachel bearing Joseph); highlights human craft versus God-given offspring within the same chapter.
- Genesis 31:39-42 (thematic): Jacob’s later defense to Laban recounts his service and how the flocks increased under his care—reflects the dispute over the speckled and spotted animals and the results of Jacob’s management.
- Leviticus 19:19 (thematic): Legal prohibition against mating different kinds (and related regulations about mixed breeding/items) offers a legal/ideological contrast to the narrative practice of manipulating animal traits for advantage.
- Job 39:1-4 (thematic): Poetic reflection on the birthing and nature of goats—connects thematically to concerns in Genesis 30 about goat births, timing, and characteristics of offspring.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he removed that day the he-goats that were ring-streaked and mottled, and all the goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the dark-colored ones among the sheep, and he put them into the hand of his sons.
- So he removed that day the male goats that were ring-streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the dark-colored among the lambs, and he put them into the hand of his sons.
Gen.30.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שלשת: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בינו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעקב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנותרת: ADJ,ptc,qal,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 30:25-43 (verbal): Immediate context: the preceding verses describe Jacob's arrangement of the flocks and his dealings with Laban—30:36 continues this material by noting Jacob's pasturing of the remaining sheep.
- Genesis 31:22-24 (structural): Narrative continuation: Laban pursues Jacob after Jacob departs; God intervenes to prevent Laban from harming Jacob—this directly follows the episode in which distance is set and Jacob is tending Laban's flocks.
- Genesis 31:17-20 (thematic): Jacob's secret flight and crossing of the river to escape Laban echo the themes of separation, movement, and pastoral stewardship found in 30:36 (setting distance and pasturing the remaining flock).
- Genesis 31:41-42 (verbal): Jacob's later speech recounts his years of service and the hardships he endured under Laban; this reflects the labour and relational tension implicit in 30:36, where Jacob continues to tend Laban's flock amid strained relations.
- Genesis 29:15-20 (thematic): Earlier episode in which Jacob serves Laban seven years (and is deceived) establishes the recurring theme of service, wages, and deception that underlies Jacob's later work and separation described in 30:36.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob; and Jacob pastured the remainder of Laban’s flock.
- And he set a distance of three days' journey between himself and Jacob; and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban's flock.
Gen.30.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מקל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבנה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- לח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולוז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וערמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויפצל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בהן: PREP+PRON,3,f,pl
- פצלות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לבנות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- מחשף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלבן: PART,interrog
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- המקלות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Gen.30:38-39 (verbal): Immediate continuation that explains Jacob's method in detail: he set the peeled rods before the flocks and the animals mated where they saw them, producing ring‑straked, speckled and spotted offspring.
- Gen.31:10-13 (quotation): Jacob later recounts the same episode in a dream/speech, explicitly repeating the image of the peeled rods and the resulting spotted and speckled animals (a direct recapitulation of 30:37–39).
- Gen.30:25-36 (structural): The wider pericope in which v.37 occurs: Jacob's wage agreement with Laban and the proposal to take speckled/ring‑straked animals as his wages (sets up the act with the rods).
- Hos.12:12-13 (thematic): A prophetic retelling of Jacob's dealings with Laban that highlights Jacob's craft and the episode of his service and prosperity—the same story is used to characterize Jacob's cunning and divine vindication.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob took for himself fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane-tree, and peeled in them white strips, exposing the white on the rods.
- And Jacob took for himself fresh sticks of poplar, almond, and plane, and peeled white strips in them, exposing the white that was on the sticks.
Gen.30.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצג: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המקלות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- פצל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברהטים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בשקתות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- המים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תבאן: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,pl
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשתות: INF,qal
- לנכח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויחמנה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- בבאן: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לשתות: INF,qal
Parallels
- Genesis 30:37-39 (verbal): Immediate continuation: describes Jacob's use of the peeled rods and the resulting birth of streaked, speckled, and spotted animals — direct narrative follow-up showing the outcome of the action in v.38.
- Genesis 31:10-13 (quotation): Jacob later recounts the same incident to Laban, explicitly mentioning the peeled rods, the watering troughs, and the divine dream that sanctioned his method — a retelling and theological interpretation of v.38.
- Genesis 30:25-36 (structural): The larger episode of Jacob's agreement with Laban and his selective breeding scheme; v.38 is a key moment within this structural unit that explains how Jacob amassed flocks.
- Genesis 29:25-30 (thematic): Earlier instance of deception between Jacob and Laban (Laban's substitution of Leah for Rachel); thematically parallels reciprocal trickery and the use of craftiness in Jacob's relationships with Laban.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he set the rods that he had peeled in the channels, the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, in front of the flocks; and they came into heat when they came to drink.
- And he set the sticks that he had peeled in the troughs, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, in front of the flocks; and they came into heat when they came to drink.
Gen.30.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחמו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- המקלות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותלדן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עקדים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- נקדים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- וטלאים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 31:10-12 (quotation): Jacob later recounts the same episode: he saw in a dream rams that were streaked and speckled and used peeled rods as the basis for the breeding scheme — a direct retelling/allusion to Gen 30:37–39.
- Genesis 30:37-43 (verbal): Immediate context describing Jacob's method (peeling rods, setting them before the flocks) and the resulting striped, speckled, and spotted animals — same narrative and language.
- Genesis 26:12-14 (thematic): Isaac's account of sowing, reaping, and great increase of flocks and herds parallels the broader patriarchal motif of agricultural and livestock prosperity as divine blessing.
- Deuteronomy 28:4 (thematic): As part of covenantal blessings, the fruit of livestock is promised blessing — thematically parallels the motif of flocks being increased/blessed in Jacob's story.
- Psalm 104:14 (thematic): The psalm celebrates God's providence in providing pasture and causing animals to thrive — a theological parallel to the idea that flocks prosper (whether by human craft or divine blessing).
Alternative generated candidates
- And the flocks came into heat by the rods, and the flocks bore ring-streaked, speckled, and mottled.
- And the flocks mated before the sticks, and the flocks bore ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.
Gen.30.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והכשבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הפריד: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- עקד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- חום: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בצאן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- עדרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- שתם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.30:37-43 (verbal): Immediate literary context — continues the same scene (Jacob’s use of peeled/striped rods and selection of animals). Verse 40 is part of this sequence describing how Jacob set the flocks toward the streaked/striped animals and separated the colors to prosper his own herd.
- Gen.30:25-36 (structural): Preceding account that explains the arrangement of wages and Jacob’s technique (taking rods, placing before the animals) that leads into v.40; provides the procedural background for the separation described in v.40.
- Gen.31:10-13 (allusion): Jacob’s later retelling of the episode in his conversation with Laban and to God — he recounts how God appeared to him and how speckled and spotted animals came to be his, linking the same practice of using marked animals to divine blessing.
- Gen.31:38-42 (quotation): Jacob’s direct complaint to Laban where he recounts the years of service and explicitly contrasts Laban’s flocks with the ringstreaked/spotted animals that became Jacob’s by his labor — a retrospective summary of the events described in 30:37–40.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob separated the sheep, and he set the faces of the flock toward the ring-streaked and toward all the dark ones in Laban’s flock; and he set the droves for himself by themselves, and did not set them with Laban’s flock.
- And Jacob separated the lambs, and he set the faces of the flock toward the ring-streaked and toward all the dark-colored in Laban's flock; and he made droves for himself, apart, and did not put them with Laban's flock.
Gen.30.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המקשרות: VERB,qal,ptc,f,pl,def
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- המקלות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ברהטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ליחמנה: VERB,qal,inf
- במקלות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Genesis 30:37-39 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same episode describing Jacob taking fresh rods and placing them before the flocks; repeats the technique and outcome (striped, speckled, spotted offspring).
- Genesis 30:22-24 (thematic): Earlier in the chapter God opens Rachel’s womb and grants children to Jacob’s household—connects the theme of divine involvement in fertility alongside Jacob’s breeding stratagems.
- Genesis 31:9-13 (allusion): Jacob later recounts that when Laban’s flocks conceived they bore ringstraked, speckled, and spotted animals and reports God’s role in prospering him—reflects and reinterprets the breeding episode and attributes success to divine oversight.
- Leviticus 19:19 (thematic): Law prohibiting mixing kinds (including mating different species) provides a later legal contrast to the narrative concern with producing patterned offspring and controlling animal reproduction.
- Deuteronomy 22:9-11 (thematic): Prohibitions against sowing mixed seed and wearing mixed fabrics echo the biblical interest in preserving distinct kinds and serve as a legal/ideological contrast to practices that manipulate animal traits.
Alternative generated candidates
- And whenever the stronger of the flock were in heat, Jacob would put the rods before the eyes of the flock in the channels, to make them come into heat by the rods.
- And whenever the stronger of the flock were in heat, Jacob would set the sticks before the eyes of the flock in the troughs, to bring them into heat by the sticks;
Gen.30.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובהעטיף: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישים: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- העטפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ללבן: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והקשרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ליעקב: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 30:31-43 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode that explains in detail Jacob’s selective breeding technique and its outcome—how the speckled/striped animals became his.
- Genesis 31:10-13 (quotation): Jacob’s later retelling to Laban (and his report of God’s revelation) recounts the same imagery of ringstraked, speckled, and spotted animals and affirms divine sanction of the results.
- Genesis 31:36-42 (thematic): Jacob’s defence to Laban revisits the method and its motivation—recounting how he worked and prospered by using selective breeding and God’s favor.
- Genesis 27:19-29 (thematic): Parallel in theme of Jacob’s use of craft and contrivance to obtain advantage (here, deception to secure Isaac’s blessing), reflecting a recurring motif of cunning action in Jacob’s life.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when the flocks were feeble, he would not put them in; so the feeble were Laban’s, and the strong were Jacob’s.
- but when the flock was feeble, he would not set them; so the feeble were Laban's, and the strong were Jacob's.
Gen.30.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפרץ: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאד: ADV
- מאד: ADV
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רבות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- ושפחות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ועבדים: CONJ,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וגמלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וחמרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Gen.13.2 (verbal): Abram is described similarly as 'very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold'—the patriarchal formula of material increase (wealth and livestock) parallels Jacob's great prosperity.
- Gen.24.35 (verbal): Abraham's servant summarizes his master's blessings: 'the LORD had blessed my master greatly, and he became great, and had flocks and herds and many servants'—language and items (flocks, servants) closely mirror Gen 30:43.
- Gen.26.12-14 (thematic): Isaac sows, reaps, and 'grew and became great, and had flocks, and herds, and many servants'—the theme of divine blessing producing increase in livestock and household is repeated.
- Job 42.12 (thematic): After restoration Job is blessed 'more than his beginning' with great numbers of sheep, camels, oxen and servants—a later exemplification of the motif of divine restoration/prosperity found in Jacob's increase.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the man increased exceedingly, exceedingly, and he had many flocks, and female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
- And the man became exceedingly, exceedingly prosperous, and he had many flocks, and female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, that I may go to my place and to my land."
Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service with which I have served you. And Laban said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes—I have divined that the LORD has blessed me because of you." And he said, "Set your wages for me, and I will give." And he said to him, "You yourself know how I have served you, and what your livestock has been with me.
For it was little that you had before me, and it has increased to abundance, and the LORD has blessed you on my account; and now, when shall I also provide for my own household?" And he said, "What shall I give you?" And Jacob said, "You shall not give me anything; if you will do for me this thing, I will again pasture your flock and keep it.
I will pass through all your flock today—you remove from there every animal that is speckled and mottled, and every dark-colored one among the lambs, and the mottled and speckled among the goats—and that shall be my wages. And my righteousness will answer for me tomorrow: when you come concerning my wages before you, every one that is not speckled or mottled among the goats, and dark-colored among the lambs, will be counted stolen with me. And Laban said, "Behold, let it be according to your word." And he removed that day the male goats that were ring-streaked and mottled, and all the female goats that were speckled and mottled, every one that had white in it, and every dark-colored one among the lambs; and he put them into the hand of his sons. And he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob; and Jacob pastured the remaining flock of Laban. And Jacob took for himself fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane tree, and peeled in them white peelings, exposing the white that was on the rods. And he set the rods that he had peeled in the troughs, in the watering channels where the flocks came to drink, opposite the flocks; and they were in heat when they came to drink. And the flocks were in heat at the rods, and the flocks bore ring-streaked, speckled, and mottled young. And Jacob separated the lambs, and he set the faces of the flocks toward the ring-streaked and all the dark ones in Laban’s flock; and he put for himself droves by themselves, and he did not put them with Laban’s flock. And whenever the stronger of the flock were in heat, Jacob set the rods before the eyes of the flocks in the troughs, that they might be in heat by the rods. But when the feebler of the flock were in heat, he did not set them; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s. And the man increased very, very much, and he had many flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.