Keraia
Genesis 31

Genesis 31:8

Jacob Flees from Laban · Genesis 31:1–21
Read Genesis 31

Translations

Modern
If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore speckled offspring. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore streaked offspring.
Traditional
If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.
Literal
If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wage,’ then all the flock bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The striped shall be your wage,’ then all the flock bore stripes.
Latin
Si quando dixit: Variæ erunt mercedes tuæ: pariebant omnes oves varios fœtus; quando vero e contrario, ait: Alba quæque accipies pro mercede: omnes greges alba pepererunt.

Original

Hebrew
English
If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore speckled offspring. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore streaked offspring.

Notes

Genesis 31:4–13

Jacob explained to his wives how God had blessed him, even though Laban opposed him. He was not sure if they wanted to leave Laban and move to Canaan. He wanted his family to agree willingly, so he needed to persuade them. He shared how God had guided and provided for them over the years. He explained that he needed to keep the vow he made at Bethel (28:20–22).

Genesis 31:1–21

Jacob’s return journey led to a conflict with Laban. This conflict created a lasting boundary between Israel (Jacob) and Aram (Laban). God kept his promise to Jacob. He made Jacob successful in Paddan-aram and protected him as he traveled back home.

Genesis 29:1–31:55

  • These chapters describe how God fulfilled his promise by greatly blessing Jacob with a family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction.

  • The story of Jacob and Laban is similar to Israel's later stay in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the 12 tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of 12 large tribes and escaping with great riches.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Jacob Leah Rachel Symbolic Numbers

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Cattle Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Jacob Laban (Person) Monotheism Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Wages

Topics

Animals: Facts About Breeding Laban: Outwitted by Jacob