Genesis 30:33

Authorized King James Version

So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעָֽנְתָה
answer
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
בִּ֤י
H0
#3
צִדְקָתִי֙
So shall my righteousness
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
#4
בְּי֣וֹם
for me in time
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#5
מָחָ֔ר
to come
properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter
#6
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#7
תָב֥וֹא
when it shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
שְׂכָרִ֖י
for my hire
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
#10
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before thy face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#11
כֹּ֣ל
every one
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#12
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
אֵינֶנּוּ֩
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#14
נָקֹ֨ד
that is not speckled
spotted
#15
וְטָל֜וּא
and spotted
properly, to cover with pieces; i.e., (by implication) to spot or variegate (as tapestry)
#16
בָּֽעִזִּ֗ים
among the goats
a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
#17
וְחוּם֙
and brown
sunburnt or swarthy (blackish)
#18
בַּכְּשָׂבִ֔ים
among the sheep
a young sheep
#19
גָּנ֥וּב
that shall be counted stolen
to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive
#20
ה֖וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#21
אִתִּֽי׃
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, 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 righteousness contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes righteousness in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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