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.

GENESIS 30:33KJV
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Genesis 30:33 (KJV)

What does Genesis 30:33 mean?

Genesis 30:33 records Jacob explaining that his honesty will be proven in the future when his wages are checked: any goat or sheep in his flock that does not match the agreed-upon markings will be considered stolen. Jacob is setting up a clear way to show he has acted fairly in his dealings with Laban.

Jacob is speaking to his father-in-law Laban about how to separate their flocks. The context is a negotiation where Jacob proposes that only the speckled and spotted goats and the brown sheep will be his wages. By stating this, Jacob makes it easy for Laban to verify Jacob’s integrity, since any animal outside these markings would not rightfully belong to him.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 30:33

  • righteousness (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah): This word often means “rightness” or “honesty.” Here, Jacob is not talking about moral perfection, but about his fair dealing and trustworthiness in business.
  • answer (עָנָה, anah): The word means “to respond” or “to testify.” Jacob is saying his honesty will “testify” for him in the future.
  • hire (שָׂכָר, sakhar): This is the word for wages or payment. Jacob is making clear what his rightful earnings will be.
  • stolen (גָּנַב, ganav): This word means “taken dishonestly.” Jacob is agreeing that any animal not matching the agreed description would be considered stolen if found with him.

Why Genesis 30:33 matters

  • This verse clears up how Jacob and Laban could keep their business arrangement transparent, reducing the chance for either to accuse the other of cheating.
  • The verse highlights Jacob’s desire to be seen as honest, which is important given the larger story of trust and trickery between Jacob and Laban.
  • Understanding the specific words for “righteousness” and “answer” shows that Jacob is appealing to a standard of fairness that can be checked by both parties, not just a vague claim of honesty.

Where else these words appear

“brown” Hebrew H2345 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 30:32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
  • Genesis 30:35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
  • Genesis 30:40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.

“spotted” Hebrew H2921 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 30:32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
  • Genesis 30:35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
  • Joshua 9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

“speckled” Hebrew H5348 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 30:32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
  • Genesis 30:39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
  • Genesis 31:10 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.

“sheep” Hebrew H3775 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 30:32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
  • Leviticus 3:7 If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 22:19 Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.