Genesis 30:32 - I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire.
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What does "Genesis 30:32" mean?
This verse is part of a negotiation between Jacob and his father-in-law Laban regarding Jacob's wages for tending Laban's flocks. Let's break down what it means:
"I will pass through all your flock today..." Jacob is proposing a specific way to determine his wages, and he's setting it in motion immediately.
"...removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats." This is the key point. Jacob is saying he will separate out all the unusual animals (speckled, spotted, or black) from Laban's flock. In that region and time, sheep were typically white and goats were typically brown/black. So, speckled, spotted, or black sheep and speckled or spotted goats were relatively rare.
"This will be my hire." The animals that Jacob removes – the unusual ones – will become his payment for his work tending Laban's flocks.
Essentially, Jacob is proposing a deal where his wages will be the less desirable animals from Laban's flock.
Why is this significant?
Apparent Low Risk for Laban: Laban likely thinks this is a good deal because the unusual animals are less valuable. He's giving away what he perceives as the least desirable portion of his flock.
Jacob's Strategy: Jacob, however, has a plan. The rest of Genesis 30 describes how Jacob uses selective breeding practices to increase the number of speckled, spotted, and black animals in the flocks. He strategically places rods before the stronger animals when they are mating, believing that this influences the color of their offspring. The narrative portrays this as a divine blessing alongside Jacob's actions. This allows him to greatly increase his own wealth at Laban's expense.
In short, the verse represents the terms of an agreement that appears favorable to Laban on the surface but that Jacob intends to exploit for his own gain. It's a story of cunning, possibly divine intervention, and the complexities of family relationships.
Genesis 30:32 - I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire.
What does "Genesis 30:32" mean?
This verse is part of a negotiation between Jacob and his father-in-law Laban regarding Jacob's wages for tending Laban's flocks. Let's break down what it means:
"I will pass through all your flock today..." Jacob is proposing a specific way to determine his wages, and he's setting it in motion immediately.
"...removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats." This is the key point. Jacob is saying he will separate out all the unusual animals (speckled, spotted, or black) from Laban's flock. In that region and time, sheep were typically white and goats were typically brown/black. So, speckled, spotted, or black sheep and speckled or spotted goats were relatively rare.
"This will be my hire." The animals that Jacob removes – the unusual ones – will become his payment for his work tending Laban's flocks.
Essentially, Jacob is proposing a deal where his wages will be the less desirable animals from Laban's flock.
Why is this significant?
Apparent Low Risk for Laban: Laban likely thinks this is a good deal because the unusual animals are less valuable. He's giving away what he perceives as the least desirable portion of his flock.
Jacob's Strategy: Jacob, however, has a plan. The rest of Genesis 30 describes how Jacob uses selective breeding practices to increase the number of speckled, spotted, and black animals in the flocks. He strategically places rods before the stronger animals when they are mating, believing that this influences the color of their offspring. The narrative portrays this as a divine blessing alongside Jacob's actions. This allows him to greatly increase his own wealth at Laban's expense.
In short, the verse represents the terms of an agreement that appears favorable to Laban on the surface but that Jacob intends to exploit for his own gain. It's a story of cunning, possibly divine intervention, and the complexities of family relationships.