TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
“These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not cast their young, and I haven’t eaten the rams of your flocks.
Geneva Bible (1599)
This twenty yere I haue bin with thee: thine ewes and thy goates haue not cast their yong, and the rammes of thy flocke haue I not eaten.
Young's Literal Translation
`These twenty years I am with thee: thy ewes and thy she-goats have not miscarried, and the rams of thy flock I have not eaten;
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In the KJVVerse 912 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 31 verses 36–42
36 ¶ And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
38 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.
39 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.
40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
See in these verses,
I. The power of provocation. Jacob's natural temper was mild and calm, and grace had improved it; he was a smooth man, and a plain man; and yet Laban's unreasonable carriage towards him put him into a heat that transported him into a heat that transported him into some vehemence, Gen 31:36, Gen 31:37. His chiding with Laban, though it may admit of some excuse, was not justifiable, nor is it written for our imitation. Grievous words stir up anger, and commonly do but make bad worse. It is a very great affront to one that bears an honest mind to be charged with dishonesty, and yet even this we must learn to bear with patience, committing our cause to God.
II. The comfort of a good conscience. This was Jacob's rejoicing, that when Laban accused him his own conscience acquitted him, and witnessed for him that he had been in all things willing and careful to live honestly, Heb 13:18. Note, Those that in any employment have dealt faithfully, if they cannot obtain the credit of it with men, yet shall have the comfort of it in their own bosoms.
III. The character of a good servant, and particularly of a faithful shepherd. Jacob had approved himself such a one, Gen 31:38-40. 1. He was very careful, so that, through his oversight or neglect, the ewes did not cast their young. His piety also procured a blessing upon his master's effects that were under his hands. Note, Servants should take no less care of what they are entrusted with for their masters than if they were entitled to it as their own. 2. He was very honest, and took none of that for his own eating which was not allowed him. He contented himself with mean fare, and coveted not to feast upon the rams of the flock. Note, Servants must not be dainty in their food, nor covet what is forbidden them, but in that, and other instances, show all good fidelity. 3. He was very laborious, Gen 31:40. He stuck to his business, all weathers; and bore both heat and cold with invincible patience. Note, Men of business, that intend to make something of it, must resolve to endure hardness. Jacob is here an example to ministers; they also are shepherds, of whom it is required that hey be true to their trust and willing to take pains.
IV. The character of a hard master. Laban had been such a one to Jacob. Those are bad masters, 1. Who exact from their servants that which is unjust, by obliging them to make good that which is not damaged by any default of theirs. This Laban did, Gen 31:39. Nay, if there has been a neglect, yet it is unjust to punish above the proportion of the fault. That may be an inconsiderable damage to the master which would go near to ruin a poor servant. 2. Those also are bad masters who deny to their servants that which is just and equal. This Laban did, Gen 31:41. It was unreasonable for him to make Jacob serve fro his daughters, when he had in reversion so great an estate secured to him by the promise of God himself; as it was also to give him his daughters without portions, when it was in the power of his hands to do well for them. Thus he robbed the poor because he was poor, as he did also by changing his wages.
V. The care of providence for the protection of injured innocence, Gen 31:42. God took cognizance of the wrong done to Jacob, and repaid him whom Laban would otherwise have sent empty away, and rebuked Laban, who otherwise would have swallowed him up. Note, God is the patron of the oppressed; and those who are wronged and yet not ruined, cast down and yet not destroyed, must acknowledge him in their preservation and give him the glory of it. Observe, 1. Jacob speaks of god as the God of his father, intimating that he thought himself unworthy to be thus regarded, but was beloved for the father's sake. 2. He calls him the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac; for Abraham was dead, and had gone to that world where perfect love casts out fear; but Isaac was yet alive, sanctifying the Lord in his heart, as his fear and his dread
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 36–42. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 31:38 captures a pivotal moment in Jacob's impassioned confrontation with Laban, serving as a powerful testament to his unwavering diligence and integrity over two decades of service. In this verse, Jacob meticulously details his exemplary stewardship of Laban's flocks, emphasizing their sustained health and productivity under his care, and underscoring his personal probity by never exploiting the animals for his own benefit, thereby starkly contrasting his faithful commitment with Laban's repeated deceptions and injustices.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 31:38 employs several literary devices to enhance Jacob's defense. The primary device is Testimony or Apologia, as Jacob presents a detailed, verifiable account of his blameless service, directly refuting any implicit or explicit accusations of wrongdoing from Laban. There is also a strong element of Contrast, as Jacob's diligent, honest, and productive stewardship is set against Laban's deceitful, exploitative, and avaricious nature. The specific details, such as "not cast their young" and "not eaten," function as Merism or Synecdoche, representing the totality of Jacob's careful and honest management of the flocks. Furthermore, the entire passage can be seen as a form of Rhetorical Questioning or Implied Challenge, where Jacob's undeniable record implicitly asks Laban, "How can you accuse me, given my faithful service?" The use of concrete, verifiable facts lends Credibility to Jacob's impassioned argument.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 31:38 powerfully illustrates the biblical principle of faithful stewardship, demonstrating that one's commitment to duty should not be contingent on the fairness of the circumstances or the character of the master. Jacob's meticulous care for Laban's flocks, ensuring their health and productivity despite his employer's injustice, exemplifies a profound dedication to excellence rooted in a higher calling. This passage also highlights the theme of divine oversight and vindication: despite Laban's repeated exploitation and deceit, God observed Jacob's integrity and diligence. Jacob's prosperity and the remarkable health of the flocks were ultimately a testament to God's blessing and protection, illustrating that God sees and honors the righteous, even when human systems fail to provide justice. It underscores the importance of integrity in labor and business ethics, showing that honesty and diligence are paramount, even when one is not being directly supervised or when the employer is untrustworthy.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 31:38 offers timeless lessons for contemporary life, encouraging believers to cultivate excellence and integrity in all their endeavors, regardless of the immediate reward or recognition. Jacob's example teaches us to perform our duties with diligence and honesty, even when circumstances are difficult, employers are unjust, or our efforts go unappreciated by others. It reminds us that our commitment to excellence should stem from a desire to honor God, knowing that He sees our struggles and honors our integrity, even when human systems fail to do so. This passage challenges us to consider our own work ethic and whether we are truly giving our best, not just to human masters, but to the Lord. Furthermore, Jacob's bold confrontation with Laban demonstrates the importance of standing up for oneself and speaking truth when wronged, especially when one has a clear conscience and a verifiable record of integrity, trusting that God will ultimately vindicate the righteous.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How long did Jacob serve Laban in total, and what was the nature of this service?
Answer: Jacob served Laban for a total of twenty years. The initial fourteen years were spent working for Laban to marry his daughters, Leah and Rachel, with seven years for Rachel (as recounted in Genesis 29:20) and another seven years for Leah and then Rachel (as detailed in Genesis 29:27). The final six years were dedicated to working for a share of Laban's flocks, during which Laban repeatedly changed Jacob's wages, as Jacob himself testifies in Genesis 31:41.
What does Jacob mean by "thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young"?
Answer: This phrase means that under Jacob's care, Laban's female sheep and goats did not miscarry or suffer the loss of their offspring. The Hebrew word shakhol (שָׁכֹל) specifically refers to being bereaved or suffering loss of children/offspring. Jacob is asserting his exceptional skill and diligence as a shepherd, ensuring the health, productivity, and increase of the flocks, implying that his management prevented significant losses due to miscarriage or neglect, and that God's blessing was upon his work.
Why was it significant that Jacob "had not eaten" the rams of Laban's flock?
Answer: Jacob's claim that he had not eaten the rams from Laban's flock highlights his profound personal integrity and self-restraint. In ancient pastoral societies, a shepherd might sometimes consume a portion of the flock for sustenance, but Jacob's abstinence from eating the valuable rams demonstrated his commitment to preserving Laban's assets. This detail underscores his refusal to exploit his position for personal gain, even though he was working under an exploitative and dishonest employer who repeatedly changed his wages (as seen in Genesis 31:7). It serves as a powerful contrast to Laban's own avarice and deceit.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 31:38 does not directly prophesy Christ, it offers profound typological parallels to His life and ministry, particularly concerning faithful stewardship, unjust suffering, and ultimate divine vindication. Jacob, in his role as a diligent and exploited servant, meticulously cared for Laban's flock despite enduring repeated injustices, much as Christ, the ultimate faithful Shepherd, perfectly fulfilled the will of His Father, even when enduring unimaginable suffering and rejection from humanity. Christ's integrity was absolute; He never exploited His position or sought personal gain, but rather perfectly obeyed the Father, ultimately laying down His life for His "flock" (as declared in John 10:11). Just as God ultimately vindicated Jacob, blessing his labor and ensuring his prosperity despite Laban's deceit, so too was Christ, after His suffering, death, and resurrection, ultimately vindicated and exalted by the Father to the highest place (as described in Philippians 2:8-9). This passage foreshadows the truth that true righteousness, though it may endure hardship and injustice, will ultimately triumph through divine oversight and vindication, culminating in the glorious reign of the Lamb of God (as seen in Revelation 5:12-13).