Genesis 31:38

38 These twenty years have I been with thee; thy sheep, and thy she-goats have not failed in bearing; I devoured not the rams of thy cattle.

Genesis 31:38 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:38

This twenty years [have] I been [with] thee
So that he now must have been ninety seven years of age: thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young:
or very few of them: it was a rare case for any to be abortive, if ever: this, though owing to the blessing of God, was for Jacob's sake, and, under God, to be ascribed to his care and diligence in watching and keeping the flock, and doing everything needful for them: and the rams of the flock have I not eaten:
being content with meaner food, as lentil pottage and the like; see the contrary of this in shepherds, ( Ezekiel 34:3 ) .

Genesis 31:38 In-Context

36 And Jacob was angry, and strove with Laban; and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my injustice, and what my sin, that thou hast pursued after me,

37 and that thou hast searched all the furniture of my house? what hast thou found of all the furniture of thine house? set it here between thy relations and my relations, and let them decide between us two.

38 These twenty years have I been with thee; thy sheep, and thy she-goats have not failed in bearing; I devoured not the rams of thy cattle.

39 That which was taken of beasts I brought not to thee; I made good of myself the thefts of the day, and the thefts of the night.

40 I was parched with heat by day, and with frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes.