Genesis 31:39

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

That which was torn [of beasts] I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, [whether] stolen by day, or stolen by night.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If one of your flock was destroyed by a wild animal, I didn't bring the carcass to you but bore the loss myself. You demanded that I compensate you for any animal stolen, whether by day or by night.

Berean Standard Bible:

I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night.

American Standard Version:

That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

That which was torn{H2966} of beasts I brought{H935} not unto thee; I bare the loss{H2398} of it; of my hand{H3027} didst thou require{H1245} it, whether stolen{H1589} by day{H3117}, or stolen{H1589} by night{H3915}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Luke 2:8

  • ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Exodus 22:31

  • And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat [any] flesh [that is] torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.

1 Samuel 17:34

  • And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

1 Samuel 17:35

  • And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

Exodus 22:10

  • If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing [it]:

Exodus 22:13

  • If it be torn in pieces, [then] let him bring it [for] witness, [and] he shall not make good that which was torn.

Leviticus 22:8

  • That which dieth of itself, or is torn [with beasts], he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I [am] the LORD.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Genesis 31:39

Genesis 31:39 is part of the narrative involving Jacob, his uncle Laban, and their complex relationship. The verse is spoken by Jacob during a confrontation with Laban, who has been pursuing him after Jacob fled with his family and flocks from Laban's household.

**Themes:**
1. **Honesty and Integrity:** Jacob is defending his honesty and work ethic. He asserts that he did not bring to Laban any animal that was torn by beasts, absorbing the loss himself, which demonstrates his integrity as he only presented animals that were whole and uninjured.
2. **Responsibility and Accountability:** Jacob emphasizes that he took personal responsibility for the animals under his care, even those lost to theft, showcasing his commitment to his duties and accountability for the flocks.
3. **Justice and Fair Treatment:** The verse reflects Jacob's appeal for fair treatment and acknowledgment of his diligent service, suggesting that Laban's accusations and pursuit of Jacob were unjust.

**Historical Context:**
The historical context of this verse is set within the patriarchal period, where familial ties and the management of flocks were central to survival and prosperity. Jacob had worked for Laban for many years, tending to his flocks, and had entered into an agreement with Laban regarding wages. Jacob's speech in this chapter is a response to Laban's accusations of theft and a defense of his actions over the years. This confrontation occurs as Jacob is leaving the area with his family and possessions, seeking to end his dependency on Laban and to establish his own household independently.

In summary, Genesis 31:39 reflects the themes of integrity, responsibility, and the pursuit of justice within the context of a familial dispute over livestock and fair labor practices during the patriarchal era.

*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: H2966
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: טְרֵפָה
    Transliteration: ṭᵉrêphâh
    Pronunciation: ter-ay-faw'
    Description: feminine (collectively) of טֶרֶף; prey, i.e. flocks devoured by animals; ravin, (that which was) torn (of beasts, in pieces).
  2. Strong's Number: H935
    There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בּוֹא
    Transliteration: bôwʼ
    Pronunciation: bo
    Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
  3. Strong's Number: H2398
    There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָטָא
    Transliteration: châṭâʼ
    Pronunciation: khaw-taw'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn; bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass.
  4. Strong's Number: H3027
    There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָד
    Transliteration: yâd
    Pronunciation: yawd
    Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
  5. Strong's Number: H1245
    There are 215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּקַשׁ
    Transliteration: bâqash
    Pronunciation: baw-kash'
    Description: a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
  6. Strong's Number: H1589
    There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גָּנַב
    Transliteration: gânab
    Pronunciation: gaw-nab'
    Description: a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive; carry away, [idiom] indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth.
  7. Strong's Number: H3117
    There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹם
    Transliteration: yôwm
    Pronunciation: yome
    Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
  8. Strong's Number: H3915
    There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לַיִל
    Transliteration: layil
    Pronunciation: lah'-yil
    Description: or (Isaiah 21:11) לֵיל; also לַיְלָה; from the same as לוּל; properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity; (mid-)night (season).