Genesis 31:12

12 And he said, See how all the he-goats are banded and marked and coloured: for I have seen what Laban has done to you.

Genesis 31:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:12

And he said, lift up now thine eyes, and see
This was all visionary, Jacob was still in a dream; but it was so impressed upon his mind, that he was spoke to, and bid to observe, and take notice, as follows: that all the rams that leap upon the cattle [are] ringstraked, speckled,
and grisled;
thereby assuring him, that such would be those the ewes would bring forth, which would be right in him to agree with Laban for as his hire; and it is probable that there was some distance of time, at least a night, between the first motion of Laban's to Jacob to settle his wages, ( Genesis 30:28 ) ; and his repeating that, and being urgent to have it done, ( Genesis 31:31 ) ; and in this interval of time might be the night Jacob had this dream and vision in, for his direction; or if it was after the bargain made, since it is said to be at the time the cattle conceived, he had it to assure him of God's approbation of it, and of his success in it: for I have seen all that Laban doeth to thee;
had took notice how he had made him serve fourteen years for his wives, and had given him nothing for his service; and how he now was taking advantage of Jacob's modesty to get him to fix his own wages, which he supposed would be lower than he could have the face to, offer him.

Genesis 31:12 In-Context

10 And at the time when the flock were with young, I saw in a dream that all the he-goats which were joined with the she-goats were banded and marked and coloured.
11 And in my dream the angel of the Lord said to me, Jacob: and I said, Here am I.
12 And he said, See how all the he-goats are banded and marked and coloured: for I have seen what Laban has done to you.
13 I am the God of Beth-el, where you put oil on the pillar and took an oath to me: now then, come out of this land and go back to the country of your birth.
14 Then Rachel and Leah said to him in answer, What part or heritage is there for us in our father's house?
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