These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jacob isn't just listing his faithful service; he's highlighting that not a single ewe or female goat miscarried, implying an unprecedented fertility he maintained for Laban. This wasn't just about not eating the rams, but about actively contributing to the thriving and increase of Laban's entire flock, far beyond mere stewardship.
These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jacob is defending himself against Laban's accusations of theft after he fled. He's reminding Laban of his twenty years of faithful service, during which he cared for Laban's livestock so diligently that none miscarried and he never consumed the rams, even though Laban had changed his wages ten times. This verse is part of Jacob's plea, asserting his honesty and God's blessing on his labor, in contrast to Laban's greed and mistreatment.
Jacob is recounting twenty years of service to Laban. What was his role, and how did it benefit his father-in-law?
Jacob's statement is more than just a statement of time served; it's a testament to his diligent labor. He points out two key things:
Jacob's faithfulness in his difficult, often thankless, task is striking. He didn't just 'watch' the sheep; he actively cared for them, ensuring their health and protecting the valuable male stock.
Jacob endured twenty years of difficult service. Was his success due to his own skill, or something more profound?
Jacob's success wasn't solely due to his own effort. He knew that Laban had a history of deception, changing his wages 'ten times' (Genesis 31:41). Yet, despite Laban's attempts to cheat him, Jacob's flocks prospered significantly. He explicitly attributes this prosperity not to his own cleverness or Laban's fairness, but to God's direct intervention.
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Jacob's testimony is powerful: his prosperity was a sign of God's favor and vindication, even while living under a deceitful master.
Understand the original words
rachel · Hebrew Noun
A female sheep. In the context of ancient Near Eastern pastoral life, they represent the owner's wealth and the shepherd's faithful care.
ayil · Hebrew Noun
An uncastrated male sheep, prized for breeding and sometimes set apart for sacrifice. As a leader of the flock, it represents significant economic value.
Jacob's defense in Genesis 31:38 highlights his twenty years of faithful service and diligence under Laban's exploitative leadership, emphasizing God's blessing as the true source of his prosperity amidst Laban's deceitful practices.
c. 1800 BC
Jacob's Covenant at Bethel
Jacob flees Esau and has a dream of a ladder to heaven at Bethel, where he makes a vow to God.
c. 1780 BC
Jacob Arrives in Haran
Jacob arrives in Haran and meets Rachel, Laban's daughter, beginning his service to Laban.
c. 1780-1766 BC
Jacob Serves Laban for Rachel and Leah
Jacob serves Laban for 14 years to marry Rachel and Leah, then serves an additional 6 years for livestock.
c. 1766 BC— this verse
Jacob's Secret Departure from Haran
Jacob, fearing Laban's reaction to his growing wealth and prompted by God, secretly flees Haran with his family and possessions.
c. 1766 BC
Laban Pursues Jacob
Laban learns of Jacob's flight and pursues him with his kinsmen for seven days, eventually catching up on Mount Gilead.
c. 1766 BC
Covenant at Galeed
God warns Laban not to harm Jacob. Laban and Jacob make a covenant of peace on Mount Gilead, establishing a boundary.
This verse speaks to God's blessing on the faithful, stating 'I will look on you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and will establish my covenant with you.' Jacob's faithfulness in his service directly correlates with the fruitfulness of his flocks, highlighting God's favor.
Deuteronomy 25:4The principle that 'you shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain' speaks to the worker's right to benefit from their labor. Jacob is asserting his right to the increase of the flock, arguing that he has not taken what was rightfully his due from Laban.
Psalm 37:6This psalm reassures the righteous that God will bring forth their vindication 'like the light, and your vindication like the noonday sun.' Jacob's declaration of his honest service is a plea for this very vindication against Laban's deceit.
Proverbs 11:1The verse states 'A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.' Jacob is essentially accusing Laban of having a 'false balance' in their dealings and is presenting his own honest accounting as proof of his integrity.
Malachi 3:5This prophecy warns against dishonesty and oppression, stating that God will be a swift witness against those who 'defraud the laborer of his wages.' Jacob's lengthy service and faithful work underscore this theme as he stands up against Laban's exploitation.
calvinGenesis 31:1-55: "And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory."
Si ita dicebat, Punctis parvis respersa erunt merces tua: pariebant omnes pecudes punctis parvis respersa: et si ita dicebat, Lineis distincta erunt merces tua: tunc pariebant omnes pecudes lineis distincta.
Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.
Et abstulit Deus pecus p…
pooleGenesis 31:38: "This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten."
Thy she-goats have not cast their young, which thou owest in a great measure to my care and diligence in ordering them, and principally to God’s blessing given to thee for my sake, by thy own confession, Genesis 30:27 .
Jacob isn't just listing his faithful service; he's highlighting that not a single ewe or female goat miscarried, implying an unprecedented fertility he maintained for Laban. This wasn't just about not eating the rams, but about actively contributing to the thriving and increase of Laban's entire flock, far beyond mere stewardship.
Jacob is defending himself against Laban's accusations of theft after he fled. He's reminding Laban of his twenty years of faithful service, during which he cared for Laban's livestock so diligently that none miscarried and he never consumed the rams, even though Laban had changed his wages ten times. This verse is part of Jacob's plea, asserting his honesty and God's blessing on his labor, in contrast to Laban's greed and mistreatment.
Jacob is defending himself against Laban's accusations of theft after he fled. He's reminding Laban of his twenty years of faithful service, during which he cared for Laban's livestock so diligently that none miscarried and he never consumed the rams, even though Laban had changed his wages ten times. This verse is part of Jacob's plea, asserting his honesty and God's blessing on his labor, in contrast to Laban's greed and mistreatment.
"These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks." — Jacob isn't just listing his faithful service; he's highlighting that not a single ewe or female goat miscarried, implying an unprecedented fertility he maintained for Laban. This wasn't just about n…
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Last reviewed October 2026