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