King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:8 Mean?

Genesis 31:8 in the King James Version says “If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstrake...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 31:8 · KJV

Context

6

And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

7

And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

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

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said ... 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 can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
אִם1 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

כֹּ֣ה2 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יֹאמַ֗ר3 of 20

“If he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

נְקֻדִּ֑ים4 of 20

“speckled”

H5348

spotted

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה5 of 20
H1961

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

שְׂכָרֶ֔ךָ6 of 20

“shall be thy hire”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

וְיָֽלְד֥וּ7 of 20

“bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

כָל8 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַצֹּ֖אן9 of 20

“all the cattle”

H6629

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

נְקֻדִּ֑ים10 of 20

“speckled”

H5348

spotted

וְאִם11 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

כֹּ֣ה12 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יֹאמַ֗ר13 of 20

“If he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֲקֻדִּֽים׃14 of 20

“ringstraked”

H6124

striped (with bands)

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה15 of 20
H1961

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

שְׂכָרֶ֔ךָ16 of 20

“shall be thy hire”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

וְיָֽלְד֥וּ17 of 20

“bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

כָל18 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַצֹּ֖אן19 of 20

“all the cattle”

H6629

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

עֲקֻדִּֽים׃20 of 20

“ringstraked”

H6124

striped (with bands)

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 31:8 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 31:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 30:32

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