King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:10 Mean?

Genesis 31:10 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. rams: or, he goats”

Genesis 31:10 · KJV

Context

8

If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

9

Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.

10

And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. rams: or, he goats

11

And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

12

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

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a ... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Covenant at Mizpah shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּעֵת֙2 of 16

“And it came to pass at the time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

יַחֵ֣ם3 of 16

“conceived”

H3179

probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive

הַצֹּ֔אן4 of 16

“that the cattle”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וָֽאֶשָּׂ֥א5 of 16

“that I lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֵינַ֛י6 of 16

“mine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וָאֵ֖רֶא7 of 16

“and saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בַּֽחֲל֑וֹם8 of 16

“in a dream”

H2472

a dream

וְהִנֵּ֤ה9 of 16
H2009

lo!

הָֽעַתֻּדִים֙10 of 16

“and behold the rams”

H6260

prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people

הָֽעֹלִ֣ים11 of 16

“which leaped”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל12 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַצֹּ֔אן13 of 16

“that the cattle”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

עֲקֻדִּ֥ים14 of 16

“were ringstraked”

H6124

striped (with bands)

נְקֻדִּ֖ים15 of 16

“speckled”

H5348

spotted

וּבְרֻדִּֽים׃16 of 16

“and grisled”

H1261

spotted (as if with hail)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 31:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 31:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 13:1Numbers 12:6Genesis 30:39Genesis 28:12Genesis 20:6Genesis 31:24

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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