Genesis 30:31

Authorized King James Version

And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

מָ֣ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תִתֶּן

H5414

Thou shalt not give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָ֑ךְ

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

And he said

to say (used with great latitude)

יַֽעֲקֹב֙

H3290

And Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִתֶּן

H5414

Thou shalt not give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִ֣י

#10

מְא֔וּמָה

H3972

me any thing

properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing

#11

אִם

H518

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

#12

תַּֽעֲשֶׂה

H6213

if thou wilt do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#13

לִּי֙

#14

הַדָּבָ֣ר

H1697

this thing

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

#15

הַזֶּ֔ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#16

אָשׁ֛וּבָה

H7725

for me I will again

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

#17

אֶרְעֶ֥ה

H7462

feed

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

#18

צֹֽאנְךָ֖

H6629

thy flock

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

#19

אֶשְׁמֹֽר׃

H8104

and keep

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
What practical applications emerge from understanding creation and providence as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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