Genesis 31:40

40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from my eyes.

Genesis 31:40 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:40

[Thus] I was
In such a situation, as well as in the following uncomfortable plight and condition: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night:
the violent heat in the daytime scorched him, and the severe frosts in the night pinched him: that is, in the different seasons of the year, the heat of the day in the summertime, and the cold of the night in the wintertime; for it cannot well be thought that there should be excessive heat in the day and sharp frosts in the night, in the same season of the year: it looks as if Laban did not allow Jacob the proper conveniencies of clothes, and of tents to secure him from the inclemency of the weather, which other shepherds usually had: and my sleep departed from mine eyes;
through diligent care and watchfulness of the flocks in the night season, which on some occasions were necessary; see ( Luke 2:8 ) .

Genesis 31:40 In-Context

38 These twenty years have I been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not cast their young, and I haven't eaten the rams of your flocks.

39 That which was torn of animals, I didn't bring to you. I bore the loss of it. Of my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.

40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from my eyes.

41 These twenty years have I been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.

42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Avraham, and the fear of Yitzchak, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."