King James Version
What Does Genesis 31:12 Mean?
“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.”
Genesis 31:12 · KJV
Context
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.
13
I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
14
And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstrake... 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.
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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
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.
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
- How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
- What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
- In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 21 wordsשָׂא2 of 21
“Lift up”
H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
נָ֨א3 of 21
H4994'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
עֵינֶ֤יךָ4 of 21
“now thine eyes”
H5869an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
רָאִ֔יתִי5 of 21
“and see”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָּל6 of 21
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽעַתֻּדִים֙7 of 21
“all the rams”
H6260prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
הָֽעֹלִ֣ים8 of 21
“which leap”
H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל9 of 21
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַצֹּ֔אן10 of 21
“upon the cattle”
H6629a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
כִּ֣י14 of 21
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָאִ֔יתִי15 of 21
“and see”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֵ֛ת16 of 21
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל17 of 21
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר18 of 21
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לָּֽךְ׃21 of 21
H0Study 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 31:12 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 31:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge