If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

GENESIS 31:8KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 31:8 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:8 mean?

Genesis 31:8 describes how Jacob’s wages for tending Laban’s flocks kept changing, but each time Laban tried to set the terms to his own advantage, God caused the animals to bear offspring that matched whatever Jacob’s wages were supposed to be. No matter what Laban said, the outcome favored Jacob.

In this verse, Jacob is explaining to his wives how their father Laban repeatedly changed the agreement about which animals would be Jacob’s payment. If Laban said the “speckled” animals would be Jacob’s, then all the newborns turned out speckled; if he said the “ringstraked” (striped) ones, then those were born. Jacob is showing that God was looking out for him, even when Laban tried to cheat him.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:8

  • The word for “speckled” is נָקֹד (naqod), which refers to animals with spots or speckles. This detail matters because it shows the specific, visible markings that determined Jacob’s wages.
  • “Ringstraked” is עָקֹד (aqod), meaning striped or banded. The distinction between speckled and striped animals was important for keeping the agreement clear, even as Laban kept changing the terms.
  • “Wages” is שָׂכָר (sakar), meaning payment or reward. This word highlights that Jacob’s work had agreed-upon compensation, even though Laban kept trying to manipulate it.
  • “Bare” is יָלַד (yalad), meaning to bear or give birth. The verse emphasizes that the flocks produced exactly the kind of offspring that matched Jacob’s wages, showing a pattern that was beyond normal chance.

Why Genesis 31:8 matters

  • Genesis 31:8 clears up that Jacob’s prosperity was not due to luck or trickery, but because God intervened when Laban tried to take advantage of him.
  • The verse highlights the ongoing tension and lack of trust between Jacob and Laban, which is a major theme in this part of Genesis.
  • This detail helps explain why Jacob felt justified in leaving Laban and taking his family and flocks with him, since he saw the outcome as God’s justice for Laban’s repeated dishonesty.

Where else these words appear

“ringstraked” Hebrew H6124 · used in 6 verses

  • 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 30:39 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.

“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 30:35 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 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.

“wages” Hebrew H7939 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
  • Deuteronomy 15:18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
  • Isaiah 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.