Genesis 30:29. Thou knowest how I have served thee— Who that saw Jacob deceiving his aged father, would have expected to have heard of such a witness as Laban, appearing, after so many years experience, for Jacob's sincerity in the discharge of all the duties of a servant and a son! read more
Genesis 30:30. Since my coming— Heb. at my foot, i.e.. ever since I set my foot within thy doors; or wheresoever I went, and led thy flock. But Maimonides says it signifies, because of me, for my sake. St. Austin reports, that in Africa they express a happy man, by saying a man with a good foot. Houbigant says, that the original is, verbatim, ad mea vestigia, at my footsteps, when thy flocks followed me as their shepherd. read more
Genesis 30:32. Speckled and spotted— The speckled cattle were those marked with little points or pricks, which the Greeks called στιγματα . The spotted were those marked with broader and larger spots, such as are often seen in the Eastern cattle especially. There were two other sorts (see ch. Genesis 31:10.); 1st, The ring-straked; that is, marked with spots or strakes, as by binding with cords. Symmachus renders it white-footed; and the Targums, having marks on their feet. Bishop Patrick says... read more
27. Laban said . . . I have learned—His selfish uncle was averse to a separation, not from warmth of affection either for Jacob or his daughters, but from the damage his own interests would sustain. He had found, from long observation, that the blessing of heaven rested on Jacob, and that his stock had wonderfully increased under Jacob's management. This was a remarkable testimony that good men are blessings to the places where they reside. Men of the world are often blessed with temporal... read more
28. appoint me thy wages, and I will give it—The Eastern shepherds receive for their hire not money, but a certain amount of the increase or produce of the flock; but Laban would at the time have done anything to secure the continued services of his nephew, and make a show of liberality, which Jacob well knew was constrained. read more
31. Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing—A new agreement was made, the substance of which was, that he was to receive remuneration in the usual way, but on certain conditions which Jacob specified. read more
32. I will pass through all thy flock to-day—Eastern sheep being generally white, the goats black, and spotted or speckled ones comparatively few and rare, Jacob proposed to remove all existing ones of that description from the flock, and to be content with what might appear at the next lambing time. The proposal seemed so much in favor of Laban, that he at once agreed to it. But Jacob has been accused of taking advantage of his uncle, and though it is difficult to exculpate him from practising... read more
9. Jacob’s new contract with Laban 30:25-43Jacob and Laban ("White") made an agreement that each man felt he could manipulate to his own advantage. However, God sovereignly overruled to bless Jacob as He had promised in spite of Laban’s deceit and Jacob’s deviousness (cf. Job 5:13; Psalms 7:15; 1 Corinthians 3:19).As the previous pericope shows how Yahweh provided descendants for Jacob as He had promised (seed), this one demonstrates how He made Jacob wealthy (blessing). In both cases God acted... read more
Jacob’s Children. His Stratagem to Increase his Property1. Rachel envied her sister] To be childless was regarded as a great reproach: cp. Luke 1:25. Fruitfulness meant an addition of strength and prosperity to a family. 3. By this symbolic act Bilhah’s children would be legally regarded as Rachel’s: cp. Luke 16:1 note. 6. Dan] ’judging.’ God had judged her case and decided in her favour by giving her, after a fashion, a child. 8. Great wrestlings] lit. ’wrestlings of God,’ an emphatic... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 30:27
Genesis 30:27. I have learned by experience— The primary sense of the original word here used, נחשׁ (nachash) is to view, observe attentively, to use attentive and subtle observation; see l Kings 20: 33. and therefore our translation is extremely proper, as well as that of the Vulgate, experimento dedici: and all the observations respecting Laban's consulting his teraphim, and knowing this matter by divination, are of no import; seeing to augur, or divine, is but a secondary sense of the... read more