MPV Commentary

25. When Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob's term of servitude was about to expire. Feeling anxious to establish an independence for his family, he likely announced his intention to return to Canaan, where God had promised him a blessing (compare Genesis 28:15). This decision demonstrated remarkable faith on Jacob's part, as he relied solely on the promise of God.

27. Laban said, "I have learned that you are blessed by God and that your family has flourished under your care." His selfish motives were driven by concern for his own interests, not a genuine affection for Jacob or his daughters. He had observed that Jacob's presence brought prosperity to his land, and he wanted to keep him from leaving.

28. Laban proposed that Jacob name his wages, and he would give it to him. However, this was not the common practice among Eastern shepherds, who typically received a portion of the flock's increase as payment. Laban's offer was likely motivated by a desire to appear generous and keep Jacob from leaving.

31. Jacob responded, "You shall not give me anything." Instead, he proposed a new agreement: he would receive remuneration in the usual way, but with certain conditions that he specified.

32. Jacob suggested passing through all of Laban's flock to identify any goats or sheep with distinctive markings. He wanted to remove these animals from the flock and be content with what might appear at the next lambing time. This proposal seemed advantageous to Laban, who agreed to it without hesitation.

33-37 (omitted for brevity)

37. Jacob took rods of hazel trees, which had bright red bark when peeled, as well as wands from other shrubs with white streaks. He believed that these visual cues would influence the future offspring through the imagination of the female sheep at the time of gestation.

38. The watering troughs were typically large stone blocks hollowed out to allow multiple sheep to drink at once. However, some were smaller and could accommodate only one sheep at a time.