Genesis 30:30

30 For it was little thou hadst before my time, and it is increased to a multitude, and the Lord God has blessed thee since my coming; now then, when shall I set up also my own house?

Genesis 30:30 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 30:30

For [it was] little which thou hadst before I [came]
Perhaps but a single flock, and that not a very large one, since Rachel, his youngest daughter, had the care of it: and it is [now] increased unto a multitude;
or "broke forth" F13, spread itself over the fields and plains, hills and mountains adjacent, so that they were covered with his sheep, these bringing forth thousands and ten thousands, ( Psalms 144:13 ) ; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming;
or "at my foot" F14; ever since he set foot in his house. Aben Ezra observes it as a proverbial saying, such an one has a good foot, a lucky one, wherever he comes a blessing or success goes with him; or the meaning may be, wherever Jacob went or led his flock, and fed it, it prospered, the blessing of God going with him. Onkelos renders it, "for my sake"; and so it is the same with what Laban had observed and owned, ( Genesis 30:27 ) ; and now, when shall I provide for mine own house?
suggesting it was his duty to do it, and it was high time he did it, since he had a large family to provide for; see ( 1 Timothy 5:8 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (Urpy) "erupit", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius.
F14 (ylgrl) "ad pedem meum", Montanus, Piscator, Drusius, Schmidt.

Genesis 30:30 In-Context

28 Appoint me thy wages, and I will give .
29 And Jacob said, Thou knowest in what things I have served thee, and how many cattle of thine are with me.
30 For it was little thou hadst before my time, and it is increased to a multitude, and the Lord God has blessed thee since my coming; now then, when shall I set up also my own house?
31 And Laban said to him, What shall I give thee? and Jacob said to him, Thou shalt not give me anything; if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again tend thy flocks and keep them.
32 Let all thy sheep pass by to-day, and separate thence every grey sheep among the rams, and every one that is speckled and spotted among the goats— shall be my reward.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. So A.V. but Gr. and Heb. literally, at my foot.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.