Genesis 31:38

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

This twenty years [have] I [been] with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I have been with you for these twenty years! Your female sheep and goats haven't aborted their young, and I haven't eaten the male animals in your flocks.

Berean Standard Bible:

I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock.

American Standard Version:

These twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flocks have I not eaten.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

This twenty^{H6242} years^{H8141} have I been with thee; thy ewes^{H7353} and thy she goats^{H5795} have not cast their young^{H7921}, and the rams^{H352} of thy flock^{H6629} have I not eaten^{H398}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 31:38

Genesis 31:38 is part of the narrative involving Jacob, his uncle Laban, and their complex relationship. This verse is spoken by Jacob as he defends himself against accusations made by Laban. After working for Laban for twenty years, tending his flocks, Jacob is confronted by Laban who has pursued him after Jacob fled with his family and possessions to return to his homeland. Laban accuses Jacob of leaving in secret and possibly stealing Laban's household gods.

In this verse, Jacob is highlighting his faithful service to Laban over the span of two decades. He points out that during his employment, he has been diligent and honest: the ewes and she-goats under his care did not lose their young, and he did not consume the rams from Laban's flock, which would have been his to manage as payment for his work. This statement serves to emphasize Jacob's integrity and the success of his stewardship, which brought prosperity to Laban's flocks—a significant aspect of wealth in the ancient Near Eastern pastoralist society.

The broader historical context of this verse is set in the patriarchal period, where familial relationships and obligations were central to social and economic life. The themes present in this verse include faithfulness in service, the value of honest labor, and the complexities of kinship ties and obligations. It also touches on the themes of justice and the proper treatment of workers, as well as the importance of property rights and the negotiation of fair terms in employment and compensation. Jacob's speech is a defense of his character and actions, setting the stage for the eventual reconciliation between him and Laban, which follows in the subsequent verses.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6242
   There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶשְׂרִים
   Transliteration: ʻesrîym
   Pronunciation: es-reem'
   Description: from עֶשֶׂר; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth; (six-) score, twenty(-ieth).
   
2. Strong's Number: H8141
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁנֶה
   Transliteration: shâneh
   Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
   Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
   
3. Strong's Number: H7353
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָחֵל
   Transliteration: râchêl
   Pronunciation: raw-kale'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to journey; a ewe (the females being the predominant element of a flock) (as a good traveller); ewe, sheep.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5795
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵז
   Transliteration: ʻêz
   Pronunciation: aze
   Description: from עָזַז; a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair); (she) goat, kid.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7921
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁכֹל
   Transliteration: shâkôl
   Pronunciation: shaw-kole'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to miscarry, i.e. suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively); bereave (of children), barren, cast calf (fruit, young), be (make) childless, deprive, destroy, [idiom] expect, lose children, miscarry, rob of children, spoil.
   
6. Strong's Number: H352
   There are 256 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַיִל
   Transliteration: ʼayil
   Pronunciation: ah'-yil
   Description: from the same as אוּל; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree; mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6629
   There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צֹאן
   Transliteration: tsôʼn
   Pronunciation: tsone
   Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds).
   
8. Strong's Number: H398
   There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָכַל
   Transliteration: ʼâkal
   Pronunciation: aw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.