Genesis 31:10

KJV

And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle [were] ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass at the time {H6256} that the cattle {H6629} conceived {H3179}, that I lifted up {H5375} mine eyes {H5869}, and saw {H7200} in a dream {H2472}, and, behold, the rams {H6260} which leaped {H5927} upon the cattle {H6629} were ringstraked {H6124}, speckled {H5348}, and grisled {H1261}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Once, when the animals were mating, I had a dream: I looked up and there in front of me the male goats which mated with the females were streaked, speckled and mottled.

Berean Standard Bible

When the flocks were breeding, I saw in a dream that the streaked, spotted, and speckled males were mating with the females.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass at the time that the flock conceive, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the he-goats which leaped upon the flock were ringstreaked, speckled, and grizzled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 31:10 unveils a pivotal dream granted to Jacob, revealing God's supernatural orchestration of his livestock's breeding patterns to produce specific markings—ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. This divine revelation not only provided a clear explanation for Jacob's significant increase in wealth but also served as God's explicit sanction for his impending departure from Laban, affirming divine faithfulness amidst human deceit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in Jacob's life, following two decades of service to his uncle Laban, marked by Laban's repeated deception and ten changes to Jacob's wages (cf. [Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban's repeated deceit of Jacob")). Jacob has grown wealthy, primarily through his flocks, but has also endured significant hardship. The immediate preceding verses (e.g., [Genesis 31:1-2](/genesis/31-1-2 "Laban's sons' resentment and Jacob's changing countenance")) describe the growing resentment from Laban's sons, who accuse Jacob of taking their father's wealth, and Jacob's perception of Laban's changed demeanor. Verse 10, part of Jacob's recounting of a divine vision to Rachel and Leah in [Genesis 31:4-16](/genesis/31-4-16 "Jacob recounts his dream to Rachel and Leah"), provides the divine justification for his prosperity and his decision to leave. This dream clarifies that his success was not due to his own cunning or manipulation, but God's direct, supernatural intervention, fulfilling earlier covenant promises, such as those made at Bethel in [Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's promise to Jacob at Bethel").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, livestock constituted a primary form of wealth and livelihood, making the management and breeding of flocks a central economic activity. Agreements regarding wages, especially for shepherds, were crucial, and Laban's repeated alteration of Jacob's terms was a significant breach of trust and a form of exploitation. The practice of selective breeding was known, but the specific, widespread manifestation of "ringstraked, speckled, and grisled" animals, as described in the dream, points to a supernatural rather than a purely natural phenomenon. Dreams were widely regarded in this period as a legitimate and common means of divine communication, often conveying guidance, warnings, or revelations from deities. Jacob's dream, therefore, would have been understood by his audience as a clear and authoritative message from God, validating his actions and prosperity.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 31:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Intervention**, demonstrating God's active involvement in the minute details of Jacob's life, even in the seemingly mundane aspects of animal husbandry, to ensure his well-being and fulfill His purposes. Secondly, the passage underscores **God's Justice**, revealing how God turns Laban's repeated attempts at exploitation (as seen in [Genesis 30:31-36](/genesis/30-31-36 "Jacob's agreement with Laban for wages")) into a means of blessing Jacob, thereby vindicating His faithful servant. Thirdly, it exemplifies **Guidance Through Dreams**, a recurring motif in the Old Testament where God communicates directly with His chosen individuals, providing specific instructions and reassurance, as He did for Jacob in this crucial moment of transition. Finally, the dream speaks to **God's Sovereignty Over Nature**, illustrating His absolute power to influence and direct natural processes, such as animal reproduction, to achieve His divine will and fulfill His covenant promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dream (Hebrew, _chălôwm'_):** From the root meaning "to be strong" or "to bind," this word refers to a vision or revelation experienced during sleep. In the biblical context, dreams often served as a direct conduit for divine communication, conveying messages, warnings, or guidance from God to individuals, as seen here with Jacob.
* **conceived (Hebrew, _yâcham'_):** This primitive root primarily means "to be hot" or "to become warm," and figuratively, "to conceive." In the context of animal breeding, it describes the act of impregnation and the subsequent initiation of gestation. The verse emphasizes that it was "at the time that the cattle conceived" that Jacob received this revelatory dream, linking the divine vision directly to the biological process.
* **ringstraked (Hebrew, _ʻâqôd'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bind" or "to tie," this term describes animals marked with stripes or bands, often appearing as rings around their legs or bodies. This specific marking, along with "speckled" and "grisled," was part of the agreed-upon wages for Jacob in his arrangement with Laban, highlighting the precise nature of God's supernatural intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived":** This opening clause sets the precise timing of Jacob's dream, linking it directly to the natural reproductive cycle of the flocks. It emphasizes that the vision was not random but occurred at a moment critical to the increase and marking of the livestock, underscoring the divine connection to the very process of animal breeding.
* **"that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream":** This phrase indicates Jacob's posture and the mode of revelation. "Lifting up his eyes" suggests an intentional act of observation within the dream state, highlighting the vividness and clarity of the vision. The dream itself is presented as the vehicle through which God communicates a crucial message to Jacob, providing him with understanding and assurance.
* **"and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle [were] ringstraked, speckled, and grisled":** This is the core revelation of the dream. Jacob sees the male sheep and goats that are mating with the female livestock, and they are miraculously marked with specific patterns: "ringstraked" (striped or banded), "speckled" (small, distinct spots), and "grisled" (mottled or mixed colors, often with gray). This vision directly explains the supernatural mechanism behind the unusual coloration of the offspring that were designated as Jacob's wages, confirming God's direct hand in his prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary techniques to convey its profound message. **Vivid Imagery** is prominent in the detailed description of the animals' markings ("ringstraked, speckled, and grisled"), which paints a clear picture of the supernatural phenomenon Jacob witnesses. This precise visual detail underscores the miraculous nature of God's intervention. The dream itself functions as a powerful **Symbolism** of divine communication and assurance, a recurring motif in the patriarchal narratives. It represents God's direct engagement with Jacob's circumstances, providing clarity and validation where human understanding or effort might fail. Furthermore, the narrative employs **Foreshadowing**, as this dream sets the stage for Jacob's subsequent confrontation with Laban and his eventual departure, indicating divine approval for his actions. The explicit mention of God's direct influence over natural processes also highlights **Divine Intervention** as a key narrative element, emphasizing His sovereignty over creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 31:10 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous and active involvement in the lives of His covenant people. It is a testament to His unwavering faithfulness, demonstrating how He orchestrates circumstances, even through supernatural means, to fulfill His promises and ensure justice for His servants. Despite Laban's repeated attempts to exploit Jacob, God turns the very terms of the agreement into a channel of blessing, showcasing His ultimate sovereignty over human affairs and His commitment to vindicating the righteous. This passage reassures believers that God sees their struggles, hears their cries, and is capable of intervening in extraordinary ways to provide, protect, and guide them according to His divine will.

* [Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's promise of presence and protection to Jacob")
* [Psalm 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23-24 "The Lord directs the steps of the godly")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God works all things for good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 31:10 serves as a profound reminder that God is intimately involved in every facet of our lives, extending His providence even to what might seem like mundane or ordinary circumstances, such as our work, finances, or navigating challenging relationships. When we encounter situations marked by unfairness, exploitation, or deceit, this passage offers immense solace and strength, encouraging us to lean into God's unwavering providence. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's provision, recognizing that His ways of caring for His faithful servants are manifold and often beyond our natural comprehension, even when our circumstances appear bleak. Furthermore, Jacob's experience prompts us to seek God's guidance through all available means—His inspired Word, earnest prayer, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit—and to rest in His ultimate justice. We are reminded that we do not need to seek personal revenge or retribution, for God Himself is the righteous judge who will ultimately repay and vindicate, as affirmed in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "God's vengeance and justice").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jacob's experience encourage us to trust God's provision even when circumstances seem unfair or exploitative?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust in God's supernatural intervention or guidance?**
* **How does the concept of divine justice, as seen in this passage, shape your response to personal injustices?**

### FAQ
**Did Jacob manipulate the breeding of the flocks, or was it purely divine intervention?**

Answer: While Jacob had previously attempted a natural method of influencing the flocks' markings (as described in [Genesis 30:37-43](/genesis/30-37-43 "Jacob's method for influencing flock markings")), [Genesis 31:10](/genesis/31-10 "Jacob's dream of the flocks") clarifies that the widespread and specific appearance of ringstraked, speckled, and grisled animals was a direct, supernatural act of God. The dream reveals that God, not Jacob's methods, was the true and ultimate cause of the unusual patterns, ensuring Jacob's prosperity as an act of divine justice against Laban's deceit. This emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and His active, miraculous role in fulfilling His promises to Jacob, transcending any human effort or cunning.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine intervention in Jacob's life, ensuring his prosperity and vindicating him against Laban's deceit, powerfully foreshadows God's ultimate provision and justice found in Jesus Christ. Just as God supernaturally orchestrated Jacob's earthly inheritance, so too does Christ offer a far greater, spiritual inheritance and vindication for His people (cf. [Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3-14 "Spiritual blessings in Christ")). Jesus is the faithful Shepherd who gathers His flock, ensuring their spiritual prosperity and delivering them from the bondage of sin and injustice (see [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). The covenant faithfulness demonstrated to Jacob, a patriarch whose journey was marked by both struggle and divine favor, culminates perfectly in the person and work of Jesus. He is the ultimate revelation of God's will and character, who perfectly fulfills all God's promises and provides the true, eternal inheritance and blessing that Jacob's earthly wealth only dimly prefigured. Through Christ, believers receive not merely material gain, but reconciliation with God and eternal life, a divine provision far surpassing any earthly dream.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 13:1

¶ If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

Genesis 31:24

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Genesis 20:6

And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Numbers 12:6

And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

Genesis 28:12

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

1 Kings 3:5

¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

Genesis 30:39

And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.