And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

GENESIS 30:43KJV
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Genesis 30:43 (KJV)

What does Genesis 30:43 mean?

Genesis 30:43 says that Jacob became extremely wealthy, gaining large numbers of livestock, servants, camels, and donkeys. The verse emphasizes how much Jacob’s possessions increased during his time working for Laban.

This verse comes at the end of a story where Jacob, after years of serving his uncle Laban, uses his skill and resourcefulness to grow his own flocks. The verse sums up the result: Jacob’s prosperity stands out, especially compared to his earlier hardships, and sets up the tension that will follow between Jacob and Laban’s family.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 30:43

  • The word for "increased" is פָּרַץ (parats), transliterated here as "increased" (H6555), which often means to break out or spread greatly. This suggests Jacob’s wealth didn’t just grow—it multiplied rapidly and noticeably.
  • The phrase "exceedingly, exceedingly" uses מְאֹד מְאֹד (me’od me’od, H3966, H3966), doubling the word for "very" to stress just how great Jacob’s increase was. The repetition is a Hebrew way of showing something is extreme or remarkable.
  • The word for "cattle" is צֹאן (tson, H6629), which refers to small livestock like sheep and goats, not just cattle as in modern English. This helps clarify that Jacob’s wealth was mainly in flocks, which were highly valued in his time.

Why Genesis 30:43 matters

  • The verse clears up that Jacob’s prosperity was not just moderate but extraordinary, which is highlighted by the repeated word for "very" in the original Hebrew.
  • Genesis 30:43 connects directly to the earlier narrative where Jacob negotiates his wages and uses selective breeding, showing the outcome of his efforts and God’s favor.
  • The verse sets up the growing tension and jealousy from Laban’s family, which will drive the next part of Jacob’s story as he prepares to leave Laban’s household.

Where else these words appear

“increased” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:38 These mentioned by their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly.
  • Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

“camels” Hebrew H1581 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 31:17 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
  • 1 Chronicles 5:21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.

“maidservants” Hebrew H8198 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 32:22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
  • 2 Samuel 14:15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.

“asses” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:30 And of the children of Israel's half, thou shalt take one portion of fifty, of the persons, of the beeves, of the asses, and of the flocks, of all manner of beasts, and give them unto the Levites, which keep the charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 25:42 And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.