Genesis 31:12 kjv

And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ring-streaked, speckled, and grizzled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

Genesis 31:12 nkjv

And He said, 'Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.

Genesis 31:12 niv

And he said, 'Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.

Genesis 31:12 esv

And he said, 'Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.

Genesis 31:12 nlt

"The angel said, 'Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you.

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 12 Meaning

This verse conveys a direct divine affirmation to Jacob in a dream. God reassures Jacob that He has observed Laban's oppressive actions and is actively intervening to ensure Jacob's prosperity, specifically in the unusual genetic outcomes of his livestock. The striking patterns (streaked, speckled, spotted) appearing on the male goats were not random chance or solely Jacob's cleverness, but a clear sign of God's hand in orchestrating his increase, securing his wages, and fulfilling His prior promises.

Genesis 31 12 Context

Genesis 31:12 is a crucial part of a divinely sent dream to Jacob, occurring roughly twenty years into his sojourn with Laban. After years of dedicated service, marriage to Leah and Rachel, and fathering many children, Jacob recognizes that Laban has deceitfully changed his wages ten times, denying him just compensation for his labor (Gen 31:7). He consults with his wives about returning to his homeland, as God had previously instructed him in a dream at Bethel (Gen 28:13-15). Just prior to this verse (Gen 31:10-11), God’s angel appears to Jacob in a dream and introduces the current instruction. The context underscores Laban's ongoing injustice and God's active awareness and intervention, not just to rescue Jacob but to bless him financially and fulfill previous covenant promises.

Genesis 31 12 Word analysis

• And he said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): "He" refers to the "angel of God" from the preceding verse (Gen 31:11), which is a common Old Testament way of referring to God Himself in an appearing form. This highlights the direct divine nature of the communication, not just a casual thought or observation by Jacob.
• Lift up your eyes (שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ - sa na eynykha): A common Hebrew idiom signifying a command to look carefully and intently, to observe with understanding, rather than a casual glance. It implies drawing Jacob's focused attention to the phenomenon about to be explained.
• and see (וּרְאֵה - u're'eh): From the verb רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning "to see, perceive, understand." It reinforces the command to observe intently, confirming the visual reality of the phenomenon described, but also to grasp its divine significance.
• all the he-goats (כָּל־הָעַתֻּדִים - kol-ha'attudim): Specifically male goats. This is significant because Jacob's cunning method in Genesis 30 involved breeding strategies primarily targeting the male offspring to acquire the "streaked, speckled, and spotted" characteristics for his flock. God's declaration clarifies the source of these specific male animals.
• that leap upon the flock (הָעֹטְפִים אֶת־הַצֹּאן - ha'otefim et-hatzo'n): Refers to the act of mating. The participle form emphasizes their active role in reproduction. This underscores that these specific male goats, which were generating the desired offspring, were not common, but providentially provided.
• are streaked, speckled, and spotted (עֲקֻדִּים נְקֻדִּים וּבְרֻדִּים - aquddim nequddim uvruddim):
  • Aquddim: "Streaked," typically referring to stripes or bands.
  • Nequddim: "Speckled," referring to small dots or spots.
  • V'ruddim: "Spotted" or "ring-streaked." These terms describe specific genetic patterns in the animals, which Laban had sought to exclude from Jacob's portion. The fact that all of the breeding he-goats possessed these rare characteristics points to an extraordinary, supernatural occurrence.
• for I have seen (כִּי רָאִיתִי - ki ra'iti): Ra'ah (seen) again, but here it is God's active, personal observation and knowledge. The "for" (כִּי - ki) introduces the divine reason and justification for this intervention. It implies not just visual perception, but understanding, concern, and readiness to act based on what has been perceived.
• all that Laban has done to you (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר עֹשֶׂה לְךָ לָבָן - kol asher oseh lekha Lavan): "All" emphasizes the full scope of Laban's mistreatment – his greed, deceit, and repeated changes of wages. God is fully aware of every injustice, establishing the basis for His corrective action.

Genesis 31 12 Bonus section

The divine statement in Genesis 31:12 re-frames the narrative of Jacob's wealth accumulation. While Jacob certainly employed clever breeding strategies involving the "streaked, speckled, and spotted" animals (Gen 30:37-43), this verse unequivocally clarifies that the source and effectiveness of these unusual outcomes were rooted in God's prior observation of Laban's injustice. This makes it a foundational verse for understanding how God can use ordinary circumstances, or even human efforts that might seem manipulative or superstitious (like Jacob's rod technique), as instruments of His extraordinary, providential will. It removes human pride and assigns ultimate credit and glory to God. The very distinct patterns on the animals were undeniable proof that God had indeed "seen" and acted, vindicating Jacob and confirming God's specific promise made to him at Bethel to be with him and prosper him.

Genesis 31 12 Commentary

Genesis 31:12 provides a pivotal clarification to Jacob, shifting the true cause of his prosperity from his perceived cunning (using peeled sticks to influence breeding in Gen 30) to God's direct, sovereign intervention. The dream assures Jacob that the unusual genetics observed in the flocks—the "streaked, speckled, and spotted" offspring—were not the result of sympathetic magic or Jacob's clever manipulation of nature. Instead, God reveals that He Himself orchestrated these specific genetic traits in the dominant male breeders, thus guaranteeing Jacob's rightful wages despite Laban's treachery.

This verse profoundly teaches divine providence: God actively sees human injustice and responds with supernatural faithfulness to His promises. Laban's repeated deceptions served only to highlight God's power to supersede human greed and make good on His covenant with Jacob. It serves as a strong polemic against contemporary pagan beliefs that linked agricultural fertility to rituals or magical practices; Jacob's success was not due to his own "skill" or superstition, but solely the Lord's doing. This instills trust in Jacob (and later, Israel) that the Lord is the true source of blessing and justice, actively governing even the most minute biological processes to ensure His people's well-being and to uphold His word. It encourages believers to look beyond human efforts or circumstances and recognize God's unseen hand working on their behalf, knowing that God remembers and acts when His people are wronged.