Genesis 30:32
Genesis 30:32 in Multiple Translations
Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, and every spotted or speckled goat. These will be my wages.
I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
I will pass through all thy flock to-day, removing from thence every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
Let me go through all your flock today, taking out from among them all the sheep which are marked or coloured or black, and all the marked or coloured goats: these will be my payment.
Let me go through your flocks today and take all the sheep that are speckled or spotted, and all the dark ones, as well as all the speckled and spotted goats. They'll be my wages.
I wil passe through all thy flockes this day, and separate from them all the sheepe with litle spots and great spots, and al blacke lambes among the sheepe, and the great spotted, and litle spotted among the goates: and it shalbe my wages.
I pass through all thy flock to-day to turn aside from thence every sheep speckled and spotted, and every brown sheep among the lambs, and speckled and spotted among the goats — and it hath been my hire;
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.
I will pass through all thy flock to-day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
Go round through all thy flocks, and separate all the sheep of divers colours, and speckled: and all that is brown and spotted, and of divers colours, as well among the sheep, as among the goats, shall be my wages.
Allow me to go and look at all of your flocks today and remove from them all the speckled sheep, all the spotted sheep, and every dark-colored lamb, all the goats that are speckled, and all the goats that are spotted, and keep them for myself. They will be my wages.
Today, let me go to the place where you keep your sheep and goats, and let me take some of those sheep and goats for myself. You know, most of your sheep have white wool, and most of your goats have black wool. I will not take any of those white sheep or any of those black goats. But you have some funny coloured sheep and goats too. You have some spotty goats and some black sheep. I will take those funny coloured sheep and goats, and they will belong to me. They will be my pay.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 30:32
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 30:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶֽעֱבֹ֨ר
בְּ/כָל
צֹֽאנְ/ךָ֜
הַ/יּ֗וֹם
הָסֵ֨ר
מִ/שָּׁ֜ם
כָּל
שֶׂ֣ה
נָקֹ֣ד
וְ/טָל֗וּא
וְ/כָל
שֶׂה
חוּם֙
בַּ/כְּשָׂבִ֔ים
וְ/טָל֥וּא
וְ/נָקֹ֖ד
בָּ/עִזִּ֑ים
וְ/הָיָ֖ה
שְׂכָרִֽ/י
אֶֽעֱבֹ֨ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
צֹֽאנְ/ךָ֜
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
N-cs | Suff
הַ/יּ֗וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Art | N-ms
הָסֵ֨ר
çûwr
H5493
to turn aside
V-Hiphil-Ptc
מִ/שָּׁ֜ם
shâm
H8033
there
Prep | Adv
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
שֶׂ֣ה
seh
H7716
sheep
N-cs
נָקֹ֣ד
nâqôd
H5348
speckled
Adj
וְ/טָל֗וּא
ṭâlâʼ
H2921
to spot
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
שֶׂה
seh
H7716
sheep
N-cs
חוּם֙
chûwm
H2345
darkened
Adj
בַּ/כְּשָׂבִ֔ים
keseb
H3775
sheep
Prep | N-mp
וְ/טָל֥וּא
ṭâlâʼ
H2921
to spot
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
וְ/נָקֹ֖ד
nâqôd
H5348
speckled
Conj | Adj
בָּ/עִזִּ֑ים
ʻêz
H5795
goat
Prep | N-fp
וְ/הָיָ֖ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
שְׂכָרִֽ/י
sâkâr
H7939
wages
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 30:32
אֶֽעֱבֹ֨ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
צֹֽאנְ/ךָ֜
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
N-cs | Suff
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
הַ/יּ֗וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הָסֵ֨ר
çûwr
H5493
"to turn aside"
V-Hiphil-Ptc
To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.
Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.
מִ/שָּׁ֜ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Prep | Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
שֶׂ֣ה
seh
H7716
"sheep"
N-cs
This word refers to a sheep or goat, often used to describe a flock or young animal in the Bible. It is also related to the word for lamb.
Definition: 1) one of a flock, lamb, sheep, goat, young sheep, young goat 1a) sheep, goat 1b) flock (collective) Also means: zeh (זֶה "lamb" H2089)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare H2089 (זֶה). See also: Genesis 22:7; Deuteronomy 14:4; Psalms 119:176.
נָקֹ֣ד
nâqôd
H5348
"speckled"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means speckled, often used to describe sheep and goats with spots. It appears in Genesis 30:32, where Jacob and Laban make a deal about spotted animals. This term is used to identify specific livestock.
Definition: 1) speckled, marked with points 1a) of sheep and goats
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: speckled. See also: Genesis 30:32; Genesis 30:39; Genesis 31:12.
וְ/טָל֗וּא
ṭâlâʼ
H2921
"to spot"
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to spot or patch something, like a tapestry with many colors. It can also describe something that is multicolored or variegated, and is used in the Bible to describe clothing and other objects.
Definition: 1) to patch, spot, be spotted, be coloured 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to spot 1a2) spotted (participle) 1b) (Pual) to be patched
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: clouted, with divers colours, spotted. See also: Genesis 30:32; Genesis 30:39; Ezekiel 16:16.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
שֶׂה
seh
H7716
"sheep"
N-cs
This word refers to a sheep or goat, often used to describe a flock or young animal in the Bible. It is also related to the word for lamb.
Definition: 1) one of a flock, lamb, sheep, goat, young sheep, young goat 1a) sheep, goat 1b) flock (collective) Also means: zeh (זֶה "lamb" H2089)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare H2089 (זֶה). See also: Genesis 22:7; Deuteronomy 14:4; Psalms 119:176.
חוּם֙
chûwm
H2345
"darkened"
Adj
This word describes something as darkened or sunburnt, with a dark brown or black color. It is used in the Bible to talk about people's skin tone or the color of objects, and is often translated as 'brown'.
Definition: dark colour, darkened, dark brown or black
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: brown. See also: Genesis 30:32; Genesis 30:35; Genesis 30:40.
בַּ/כְּשָׂבִ֔ים
keseb
H3775
"sheep"
Prep | N-mp
A keseb is a young sheep, like a lamb or a young ram. It is often translated as lamb in the KJV Bible.
Definition: lamb, young ram, sheep
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: lamb. See also: Genesis 30:32; Leviticus 4:35; Deuteronomy 14:4.
וְ/טָל֥וּא
ṭâlâʼ
H2921
"to spot"
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to spot or patch something, like a tapestry with many colors. It can also describe something that is multicolored or variegated, and is used in the Bible to describe clothing and other objects.
Definition: 1) to patch, spot, be spotted, be coloured 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to spot 1a2) spotted (participle) 1b) (Pual) to be patched
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: clouted, with divers colours, spotted. See also: Genesis 30:32; Genesis 30:39; Ezekiel 16:16.
וְ/נָקֹ֖ד
nâqôd
H5348
"speckled"
Conj | Adj
In the Bible, this word means speckled, often used to describe sheep and goats with spots. It appears in Genesis 30:32, where Jacob and Laban make a deal about spotted animals. This term is used to identify specific livestock.
Definition: 1) speckled, marked with points 1a) of sheep and goats
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: speckled. See also: Genesis 30:32; Genesis 30:39; Genesis 31:12.
בָּ/עִזִּ֑ים
ʻêz
H5795
"goat"
Prep | N-fp
Refers to a female goat, often translated as she-goat or kid, and is also related to goat's hair in the Bible.
Definition: female goat, she-goat, goat, kid Aramaic equivalent: ez (עֵז "goat" H5796)
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (she) goat, kid. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 7:58; Proverbs 27:27.
וְ/הָיָ֖ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
שְׂכָרִֽ/י
sâkâr
H7939
"wages"
N-ms | Suff
Payment for work or services, like the wages paid to the laborers in Matthew 20:8. This word encompasses various forms of compensation, including salary, fare, or maintenance. It is about receiving payment for something.
Definition: 1) hire, wages 1a) wages 1b) reward, pay 1c) fare, fee, passage-money
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: hire, price, reward(-ed), wages, worth. See also: Genesis 15:1; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Psalms 127:3.
Study Notes — Genesis 30:32
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 30:32 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:32
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:32
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:32
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
- Sermons on Genesis 30:32
Context — Jacob Prospers
30Indeed, you had very little before my arrival, but now your wealth has increased many times over. The LORD has blessed you wherever I set foot. But now, when may I also provide for my own household?”
31“What can I give you?” Laban asked. “You do not need to give me anything,” Jacob replied. “If you do this one thing for me, I will keep on shepherding and keeping your flocks.
32Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, and every spotted or speckled goat. These will be my wages.
33So my honesty will testify for me when you come to check on my wages in the future. If I have any goats that are not speckled or spotted, or any lambs that are not dark-colored, they will be considered stolen.” 34“Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 31:8 | If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore speckled offspring. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore streaked offspring. |
| 2 | Genesis 31:10 | When the flocks were breeding, I saw in a dream that the streaked, spotted, and speckled males were mating with the females. |
| 3 | Genesis 30:35 | That very day Laban removed all the streaked or spotted male goats and every speckled or spotted female goat—every one that had any white on it—and every dark-colored lamb, and he placed them under the care of his sons. |
Genesis 30:32 Summary
[In Genesis 30:32, Jacob asks Laban to let him have all the speckled or spotted sheep, dark-colored lambs, and spotted or speckled goats as his wages. This means that Jacob is asking for a specific group of animals as payment for his work, which is a way of providing for his own household. This is similar to how we are taught in the Bible to be fair and honest in our dealings with others, as seen in passages like Leviticus 19:35-36. By trusting in God's provision and blessing, Jacob is able to negotiate a fair wage and provide for his family.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the speckled or spotted sheep, dark-colored lambs, and spotted or speckled goats in Genesis 30:32?
These animals represent the wages that Jacob requests from Laban as a condition of his continued service, similar to how the Bible teaches us to be fair and honest in our dealings with others, as seen in Leviticus 19:35-36 and Deuteronomy 25:13-16.
Is Jacob being unfair or cunning in his request for specific animals as his wages?
Jacob's request can be seen as a test of Laban's integrity, as well as a means of providing for his own household, which is a biblical principle found in 1 Timothy 5:8, where it says that a man who does not provide for his relatives is worse than an unbeliever.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's provision and blessing in Jacob's life?
This verse shows how Jacob recognizes God's blessing on his life, as mentioned in Genesis 30:30, and is seeking to provide for his own household in a way that honors God, similar to the principle found in Psalm 37:3-4, where it says to trust in the Lord and do good, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
What can we learn from Jacob's approach to negotiating his wages with Laban?
We can learn the importance of being clear and specific in our agreements, as well as trusting in God's provision, as seen in Philippians 4:19, which says that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's provision and blessing in my own life, just like Jacob did?
- How can I apply the principle of fairness and honesty in my own relationships and dealings with others, as seen in this verse?
- What are some ways that I can provide for my own household in a way that honors God, and what are some biblical principles that can guide me in this area?
- How can I balance my own needs and desires with the need to trust in God's provision and timing, as seen in this verse and in Psalm 27:14?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:32
I will pass through all thy flock today,.... Not alone, but Laban and his sons with him; removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle; that is, such as were black and had white spots on
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:32
I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
Speckled and spotted cattle, which may seem to be thus distinguished; speckled with little spots, and spotted with greater spots or stains, both of diverse colours from the rest of the body. Or, the speckled may be the same with the ring-straked, by comparing this with . All the brown cattle; or black, or dark-coloured; for the Hebrew word signifies also great heat which produceth such a colour. Of such shall be my hire; or, then shall be my hire; and for then, as is frequent in Scripture. The sense is: Then, when the speckled, and spotted, and brown are separated, and none but white remaining, my hire shall be out of those white ones, and that in such manner as is expressed in , all the white young ones shall be thine, and the speckled, and spotted, and brown which shall be brought forth by those white ones shall be mine.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
Genesis 30:32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and [of such] shall be my hire.Ver. 32. And of such shall be my hire.] As white and black sheep were most set by in Mesopotamia, so were the variously coloured in Palestine, Jacob’ s country; whence the shepherds there are called Nochudim , that is, keepers of spotted cattle. This might be a reason why Jacob desires to be paid in such; and, perhaps, had learned that skill there which he used in the following verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
(32) The speckled and spotted cattle (sheep).—In the East sheep are generally white, and goats black or brown. Jacob, therefore, proposes that all such shall belong to Laban, but that the parti-coloured should be his hire. By “speckled” are meant those sheep and goats that had small spots upon their coats, and by “spotted,” those that had large patches of another colour. Besides these, Jacob is to have all “brown cattle,” that is, sheep, for the word “cattle” is usually now confined to kine, which was not the case 200 years ago. This translation is taken from Rashi, but the word usually signifies black. Philippsohn says that black sheep are seldom seen in the East, but that sheep of a blackish-red colour are common. In Genesis 30:35 we have another word, “ring-straked,” that is, having the colours in stripes. This is never the case with sheep, but goats often have their coats thus definitely marked.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
Verse 32. I will pass through all thy flock] צאן tson, implying, as we have before seen, all smaller cattle, such as sheep, goats, c. All the speckled and spotted cattle] שה seh, which we translate cattle, signifies the young either of sheep or goats, what we call a lamb or a kid. Speckled, נקד nakod, signifies interspersed with variously coloured spots. Spotted] טלוא talu, spotted with large spot either of the same or different colours, from טלא tala, to patch, to make party-coloured or patch-work see Ezekiel 16:16. I have never seen such sheep as are here described but in the islands of Zetland. There I have seen the most beautiful brown, or fine chocolate colour among the sheep; and several of the ring-streaked, spotted, speckled, and piebald among the same; and some of the latter description I have brought over, and can exhibit a specimen of Jacob's flock brought from the North Seas, feeding in Middlesex. And all the brown] חום chum. I should rather suppose this to signify a lively brown, as the root signifies to be warm or hot.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:32
32. I will pass, &c.] Jacob’s proposal to Laban is that he should serve for a wage, to be given, not in money, but in animals. The sheep in Syria are nearly always white, and the goats black; cf. Son 4:1. Jacob asks that his wage should consist of the sheep that were not white and the goats that were not black. Laban’s flocks would be, according to this arrangement, the great mass of the animals. To Jacob’s share would fall the exceptions, the spotted and black among the sheep, the spotted and speckled among the goats.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 30:32
32. Brown cattle among the sheep… spotted and speckled among the goats — The Syrian sheep are said to be usually all white, and the goats black or brown.
Sermons on Genesis 30:32
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(Through the Bible) Genesis 29-31 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the equality and value of all individuals in the eyes of God. He highlights the universal need for a Savior and the unity found in Jesus Chri |