Genesis 30:42

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 30:37-43

Here is Jacob's honest policy to make his bargain more advantageous to himself than it was likely to be. If he had not taken some course to help himself, it would have been a bad bargain indeed, which he knew Laban would never consider, or rather would be well pleased to see him a loser by, so little did Laban consult any one's interest but his own. Now Jacob's contrivances were, 1. To set peeled sticks before the cattle where they were watered, that, looking much at those unusual... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:42

And when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in ,.... Or "when covered", as Menachem, that is, with wool, and so not so desirous of copulation with the males, nor so fit and strong for generation; and therefore he put not in the rods into the gutters, partly that he might have none feeble in his flock, and partly that he might not spoil Laban of his whole flock, strong and weak: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's ; not only his flocks became more numerous than... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:25-43

Jacob and Laban, or craft versus greed. I. JACOB 'S RESPECTFUL REQUEST OF LABAN . At the close of fourteen years harsh and exacting service, Jacob desires permission to take his wives and children and return to Canaan. The motives which induced him were probably— 1. The termination of his contract, which released him from a servitude both galling and oppressive. 2. The remembrance of God's covenant, which had assigned him the land of promise as his true inheritance. 3.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 30:42

But when the cattle were feeble ,—literally, in the covering (sc. with wool; hence weakening) of the flock , which took place in autumn— he put them not in (partly to prevent the introduction of feeble animals amongst his parti-colored flocks, but partly also, it is thought, to avoid prematurely exciting Laban's suspicion): so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 30:1-43

- Jacob’s Family and Wealth6. דן dān, Dan, “judge, lord.”8. נפתלי naptālı̂y, Naphtali, “wrestling.”11. גד gād, Gad, “overcoming, victory.” בגד bāgād, “in victory or” =גד בא bā' gād, “victory cometh.” גוּד gûd, “press down.” גדוּד gedûd, “troop.”13. אשׁר 'ǎashēr, Asher, “prosperity, happiness.”18. ישׂשכר yı̂śāskār, Jissakar, “reward.” The second Hebrew letter (ש s) seems to have been merely a full mode of writing the word, instead of the abbreviated form ישׂכר yı̂śākār.20.... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:25-43

Jacob tricks Laban (30:25-43)After Rachel had borne him a son, Jacob decided to return to Canaan. Laban asked Jacob what wages he would like, since much of Laban’s prosperity had resulted from Jacob’s farming ability (25-30). Jacob claimed as wages all the part-coloured animals in the flock, plus all the black sheep. As these were relatively few in number, Laban agreed, though he then attempted to lessen Jacob’s profit by removing from the flocks all the part-coloured animals and black sheep he... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 30:1-42

The last paragraph of the preceding chapter and most of this one relate the birth of the Twelve Patriarchs. The last section of this chapter (Genesis 30:24-43) relates Jacob's preparations to leave Laban and return to Canaan. As the birth of the antediluvian patriarchs was discussed earlier and presented by means of a chart, the Twelve Patriarchs of Israel will now be presented in much the same manner. It is not necessary to read over and over again that Jacob went in unto her ... and she... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 30:25-43

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

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 30:1-43

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 30:1-43

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

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