Genesis 30:36

Authorized King James Version

And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּ֗שֶׂם
And he set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#2
דֶּ֚רֶךְ
journey
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#3
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת
three
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
#4
יָמִ֔ים
days
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
בֵּינ֖וֹ
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#6
וּבֵ֣ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#7
וְיַֽעֲקֹ֗ב
and Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#8
וְיַֽעֲקֹ֗ב
and Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#9
רֹעֶ֛ה
fed
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
#10
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
צֹ֥אן
flocks
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
#12
לָבָ֖ן
of Laban's
laban, a place in the desert
#13
הַנּֽוֹתָרֹֽת׃
the rest
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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