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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 31:38 I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/31-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/01_Gen_31_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 31:38 - Laban Pursues Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/31-38.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/31-38.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 38</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/31-37.htm" title="Genesis 31:37">◄</a> Genesis 31:38 <a href="/genesis/31-39.htm" title="Genesis 31:39">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“For twenty years I have been with you, caring for your flocks. In all that time your sheep and goats never miscarried. In all those years I never used a single ram of yours for food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />This twenty years <i>have</i> I <i>been</i> with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />These twenty years I <i>have been</i> with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For these twenty years I <i>have been</i> with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“These twenty years I <i>have been</i> with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />These twenty years I <i>have been</i> with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />These twenty years I <i>have been</i> with you; your ewes and your female goats have not lost their young, nor have I eaten the rams of your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I’ve been with you these twenty years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams from your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I&#8217ve been with you these 20 years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams from your flock. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />These twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flocks have I not eaten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In all the 20 years that I've worked for you, not one of your sheep or goats has had a miscarriage, and I've never eaten even one of your rams. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flocks have I not eaten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I've been with you for 20 years. Your sheep and goats never miscarried, and I never ate any rams from your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have been with you now for twenty years; your sheep and your goats have not failed to reproduce, and I have not eaten any rams from your flocks. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile, these past 20 years that I've been with you, your sheep and goats never had miscarriages, I never once ate any of the rams from your flock, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"I have been with you for the past twenty years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I haven?t eaten the rams of your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />These twenty years have I been with thee: thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not cast their young, and I haven’t eaten the rams of your flocks. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />These twenty years I [am] with you: your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and the rams of your flock I have not eaten;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> These twenty years I am with thee: thy ewes and thy she-goats have not miscarried, and the rams of thy flock I have not eaten;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />These twenty years I am with thee; thy sheep and thy she-goats were not barren, and the rams of thy flock, I ate not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Have I therefore been with thee twenty years? thy ewes and goats were not barren, the rams of thy flocks I did not eat: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For what reason have I been with you for twenty years? Your ewes and she-goats were not barren; the rams of your flocks I did not consume.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“In the twenty years that I was under you, no ewe or she-goat of yours ever miscarried, and I have never eaten rams of your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I have been with you for the past twenty years; your ewes and your she goats have not cast their young, and I have not eaten of the rams of your flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Behold I have been with you twenty years; your ewes and your shegoats are not barren and the rams of your flocks I have not consumed.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />These twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flocks have I not eaten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/31-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7868" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Laban Pursues Jacob</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">37</span>You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us. <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I have</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·māḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">been with</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">you for</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">twenty</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years now.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7353.htm" title="7353: rə·ḥê·le·ḵā (N-fpc:: 2ms) -- Ewe. From an unused root meaning to journey; a ewe.">Your sheep</a> <a href="/hebrew/5795.htm" title="5795: wə·‘iz·ze·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 2ms) -- Female goat. From azaz; a she-goat, but masculine in plural.">and goats</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">have not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7921.htm" title="7921: šik·kê·lū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To be bereaved. A primitive root; properly, to miscarry, i.e. Suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave.">miscarried,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nor have I</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵā·lə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">eaten</a> <a href="/hebrew/352.htm" title="352: wə·’ê·lê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- From the same as 'uwl; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief; also a ram; a pilaster; an oak or other strong tree.">the rams</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: ṣō·nə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">of your flock.</a> </span><span class="reftext">39</span>I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Exodus 3:1</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34-35</a></span><br />David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a></span><br />He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-12.htm">Ezekiel 34:12</a></span><br />As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-14</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Luke 15:4-6</a></span><br />“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? / And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, / comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-2.htm">1 Peter 5:2-4</a></span><br />Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. / And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1-4</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-10.htm">Jeremiah 31:10</a></span><br />Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/5-4.htm">Micah 5:4</a></span><br />He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Matthew 18:12-14</a></span><br />What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-20.htm">Hebrews 13:20</a></span><br />Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-18.htm">1 Timothy 5:18</a></span><br />For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-28.htm">Acts 20:28</a></span><br />Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Zechariah 11:16</a></span><br />For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">This twenty years have I been with you; your ewes and your she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of your flock have I not eaten.</p><p class="hdg">twenty.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41</a></b></br> Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.</p><p class="hdg">ewes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Genesis 30:27,30</a></b></br> And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, <i>tarry: for</i> I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-26.htm">Exodus 23:26</a></b></br> There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-4.htm">Deuteronomy 28:4</a></b></br> Blessed <i>shall be</i> the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.</p><p class="hdg">the rams.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-4</a></b></br> Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe <i>be</i> to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/21-15.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/genesis/27-33.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/songs/6-6.htm">Ewes</a> <a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Female</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/31-10.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/31-12.htm">Goats</a> <a href="/genesis/31-12.htm">He-Goats</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-6.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/genesis/31-12.htm">Rams</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/genesis/31-10.htm">She-Goats</a> <a href="/genesis/23-1.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/genesis/31-10.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/31-51.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/genesis/31-54.htm">Eaten</a> <a href="/genesis/32-14.htm">Ewes</a> <a href="/genesis/32-5.htm">Female</a> <a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/32-32.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/32-5.htm">Goats</a> <a href="/genesis/32-14.htm">He-Goats</a> <a href="/genesis/31-39.htm">Loss</a> <a href="/genesis/32-14.htm">Rams</a> <a href="/genesis/32-5.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/genesis/32-14.htm">She-Goats</a> <a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/genesis/32-15.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Rachel steals her father's household gods.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-34.htm">Rachel's plan to hide the images.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Jacob's complaint of Laban.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I have been with you for twenty years now.</b><br>Jacob's statement highlights his long-term commitment and service to Laban. This period of twenty years is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing a complete cycle of waiting or preparation. Jacob's time with Laban was marked by hard work and perseverance, reflecting the trials and growth he experienced. This duration also connects to the broader narrative of Jacob's life, including his initial flight from Esau and his eventual return to Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to him.<p><b>Your sheep and goats have not miscarried,</b><br>Jacob emphasizes his diligent care for Laban's livestock, which did not suffer miscarriages under his watch. This detail underscores Jacob's integrity and the blessing of God upon his work. In the ancient Near East, livestock was a primary measure of wealth, and successful breeding was crucial. The absence of miscarriages can be seen as a sign of divine favor, similar to the blessings promised in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-4.htm">Deuteronomy 28:4</a>, where the fruit of the womb and livestock are blessed.<p><b>nor have I eaten the rams of your flock.</b><br>Jacob asserts his honesty and restraint by not taking what was not his, even when he had the opportunity. In the cultural context, shepherds were often allowed to consume some of the flock, but Jacob chose not to, highlighting his integrity. This behavior aligns with the biblical principle of stewardship and faithfulness, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10</a>, which speaks of the righteous caring for their animals. Jacob's actions foreshadow the sacrificial nature of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve (<a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jacob is speaking to Laban, recounting his faithful service over twenty years. Jacob is a patriarch in the lineage of Abraham and Isaac, known for his perseverance and faithfulness despite challenges.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>Jacob's father-in-law, who has employed Jacob for two decades. Laban is often depicted as a shrewd and sometimes deceitful character, which contrasts with Jacob's integrity in this passage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/ewes_and_female_goats.htm">Ewes and Female Goats</a></b><br>These animals represent the wealth and prosperity of Laban's household, which Jacob has diligently tended. Their health and productivity are a testament to Jacob's careful stewardship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/rams_of_the_flock.htm">Rams of the Flock</a></b><br>Jacob mentions not eating the rams, highlighting his honesty and integrity in managing Laban's resources without taking advantage for personal gain.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/twenty_years.htm">Twenty Years</a></b><br>This time period emphasizes Jacob's long-term commitment and the endurance of his service, reflecting his patience and dedication.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_service.htm">Integrity in Service</a></b><br>Jacob's example teaches the importance of maintaining integrity and honesty in our work, even when others may not reciprocate.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_over_time.htm">Faithfulness Over Time</a></b><br>The twenty years Jacob served Laban remind us of the value of perseverance and faithfulness in our commitments, trusting that God sees and rewards our efforts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_blessing.htm">God's Provision and Blessing</a></b><br>Despite Laban's attempts to exploit Jacob, God blessed Jacob's work. This encourages us to rely on God's provision and trust Him to bless our honest efforts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_resources.htm">Stewardship of Resources</a></b><br>Jacob's careful management of Laban's flocks highlights the importance of being good stewards of the resources and responsibilities entrusted to us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_gen_31_41_suggest_inconsistency.htm">In Genesis 31:41, Jacob claims Laban changed his wages ten times, yet no detailed account shows each change; does this raise questions of consistency or exaggeration? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_teraphim.htm">What are teraphim?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_jacob's_pride_important.htm">What is the significance of Jacob's pride?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_heb._13_20-21_align_with_other_atonement_views.htm">(Hebrews 13:20-21) How can this text's explanation of God's covenant through Jesus align with other biblical passages that present conflicting perspectives on atonement and redemption?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/31-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I have</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹכִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">been with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמָּ֔ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·māḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you for</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶה֩</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">twenty</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶשְׂרִ֨ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘eś·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Twenty, twentieth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years now.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your sheep</span><br /><span class="heb">רְחֵלֶ֥יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(rə·ḥê·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7353.htm">Strong's 7353: </a> </span><span class="str2">A ewe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and goats</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעִזֶּ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘iz·ze·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5795.htm">Strong's 5795: </a> </span><span class="str2">Female goat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">miscarried,</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁכֵּ֑לוּ</span> <span class="translit">(šik·kê·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7921.htm">Strong's 7921: </a> </span><span class="str2">To miscarry, suffer abortion, to bereave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nor have I</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eaten</span><br /><span class="heb">אָכָֽלְתִּי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵā·lə·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the rams</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵילֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ê·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_352.htm">Strong's 352: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of your flock.</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹאנְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(ṣō·nə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/31-38.htm">OT Law: Genesis 31:38 These twenty years I have been (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/31-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 31:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/31-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 31:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:39" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>