And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.
43. increased exceedingly ] Cf. the description of the wealth of Abraham and Isaac, Gen 13:2, Gen 24:35, Gen 26:13-14.
Cf. Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, Act i. Scene iii.:
“ Shy. mark what Jacob did.
When Laban and himself were compromised
That all the eanlings which were streak’d and pied
Should fall as Jacob’s hire.
The skilful shepherd peel’d me certain wands,
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,
Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time
Fall parti-colour’d lambs, and those were Jacob’s.
This was a way to thrive, and he was blest.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 43. And the man increased exceedingly] No wonder, when he used such means as the above. And had maid-servants, and men-servants-he was obliged to increase these as his cattle multiplied. And camels and asses, to transport his tents, baggage, and family from place to place, being obliged often to remove for the benefit of pasturage.
We have already seen many difficulties in this chapter, and strange incidents, for which we are not able to account.
1. The vicarious bearing of children;
2. The nature and properties of the mandrakes;
3. The bargain of Jacob and Laban; and
4. The business of the party-coloured flocks produced by means of the females looking at the variegated rods.
These, especially the three last, may be ranked among the most difficult things in this book. Without encumbering the page with quotations and opinions, I have given the best sense I could; and think it much better and safer to confess ignorance, than, under the semblance of wisdom and learning, to multiply conjectures. Jacob certainly manifested much address in the whole of his conduct with Laban; but though nothing can excuse overreaching or insincerity, yet no doubt Jacob supposed himself justified in taking these advantages of a man who had greatly injured and defrauded him. Had Jacob got Rachel at first, for whom he had honestly and faithfully served seven years, there is no evidence whatever that he would have taken a second wife. Laban, by having imposed his eldest daughter upon him, and by obliging him to serve seven years for her who never was an object of his affection, acted a part wholly foreign to every dictate of justice and honesty; (for though it was a custom in that country not to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder, yet, as he did not mention this to Jacob, it cannot plead in his excuse;) therefore, speaking after the manner of men, he had reason to expect that Jacob should repay him in his own coin, and right himself by whatever means came into his power; and many think that he did not transgress the bounds of justice, even in the business of the party-coloured cattle.
The talent possessed by Jacob was a most dangerous one; he was what may be truly called a scheming man; his wits were still at work, and as he devised so he executed, being as fruitful in expedients as he was in plans. This was the principal and the most prominent characteristic of his life; and whatever was excessive here was owing to his mother’s tuition; she was evidently a woman who paid little respect to what is called moral principle, and sanctified all kinds of means by the goodness of the end at which she aimed; which in social, civil, and religious life, is the most dangerous principle on which a person can possibly act. In this art she appears to have instructed her son; and, unfortunately for himself, he was in some instances but too apt a proficient. Early habits are not easily rooted out, especially those of a bad kind. Next to the influence and grace of the Spirit of God is a good and religious education. Parents should teach their children to despise and abhor low cunning, to fear a lie, and tremble at an oath; and in order to be successful, they should illustrate their precepts by their own regular and conscientious example. How far God approved of the whole of Jacob’s conduct I shall not inquire; it is certain that he attributes his success to Divine interposition, and God himself censures Laban’s conduct towards him; see Ge 31:7-12. But still he appears to have proceeded farther than this interposition authorized him to go, especially in the means he used to improve his own breed, which necessarily led to the deterioration of Laban’s cattle; for, after the transactions referred to above, these cattle could be of but little worth. The whole account, with all its lights and shades, I consider as another proof of the impartiality of the Divine historian, and a strong evidence of the authenticity of the Pentateuch. Neither the spirit of deceit, nor the partiality of friendship, could ever pen such an account.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And the man increased exceedingly,…. Jacob grew very rich:
and had much cattle; the greater part of Laban’s flocks brought forth speckled, spotted, and brown cattle, which, according to agreement, were Jacob’s:
and maidservants, and menservants; which he got to take care of his household affairs, and to assist him in keeping his flocks:
and camels, and asses; for his flocks increasing so very much, he sold many of his sheep at a good price, as Jarchi observes, and with it bought camels and asses; and these were very fit for his use, when he should be obliged or think fit to remove into his own country, and which he was meditating, and had a direction from the Lord for, as in the following chapter.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
43. And the man increased exceedingly. Moses added this for the purpose of showing that he was not made thus suddenly rich without a miracle. We shall see hereafter how great his wealth was. For being entirely destitute, he yet gathered out of nothing, greater riches than any man of moderate wealth could do in twenty or thirty years. And that no one may deem this fabulous, as not being in accordance with the usual method, Moses meets the objection by saying, that the holy man was enriched in an extraordinary manner.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(43) The man increased exceedingly.Heb., broke forth, as in Gen. 30:30. Wool, as the chief material for clothing, is a very valuable commodity in the East, and by the sale of it Jacob would obtain means for the purchase of male and female servants and camels. The latter were especially valuable for purposes of commerce, in which Jacob evidently was actively engaged, and whence probably came his chief gains.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 30:43. The man increased, &c. God rewarded his fidelity, and punished the cruelty and avarice of Laban; transferring his wealth to Jacob, as he gave the riches of the AEgyptians to the Israelites: for the world is his, and the fulness thereof; and he may certainly dispose of every thing in it as he pleases. See Gen 30:30.; from which we learn, that all Laban’s increase was owing to God’s blessing upon Jacob. See Chais on the passage.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 37:37 .
REFLECTIONS
It would be a far happier world than experience proves it now is, if that charming observation of the psalmist were more generally adopted, when he saith, Lo! Children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward. There is a blessedness pronounced upon the quiver that is full of them. And when a gracious parent beholds a rising generation of gracious children, to call the Lord blessed, when he is gathered to his fathers; the imagination can hardly form an idea of a subject more highly calculated to call forth thankfulness unto God. It is pleasing in the reflection to the upright in heart and mind, when like Jacob, in their dealings between man and man, they have the favor of the divine approbation. But what a double sweetness rests upon the possessions of the just, when every blessing is found to lead the soul to God, instead of drawing the heart from God. Lord, I would pray, that all thy mercies may be thus sanctified, and not one of them received but with thanksgiving and prayer; that coming from thy bounty, they may lead to thy praise, and all be doubly enjoyed in Jesus.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 30:43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.
Ver. 43. And the man increased exceedingly. ] So shall all those do, if it be for their eternal good, that depend upon God for success and blessing upon their hard and honest labours. As for others, that will needs care and carve for themselves, being troubled about many things, but neglecting that “one thing necessary,” the Lord either gives the souls of such over to suffer shipwreck, or else strips them of all their lading and tacklings, breaking their estates all to pieces, and making them glad to go to heaven upon a broken plank.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the man. Hebrew. ha- ‘ish. App-14.
exceedingly. Hebrew. meod meod = greatly greatly. Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Gen 30:30, Gen 13:2, Gen 24:35, Gen 26:13, Gen 26:14, Gen 28:15, Gen 31:7, Gen 31:8, Gen 31:42, Gen 32:10, Gen 33:11, Gen 36:7, Ecc 2:7, Eze 39:10, The Lord will, in one way or other, honour those who simply trust his providence.
Reciprocal: Gen 32:5 – have oxen Gen 32:14 – General Gen 46:8 – the names Job 1:10 – substance Psa 107:38 – suffereth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 30:43. The man increased exceedingly Upon the whole of what is said here, and in the following chapter, we may conclude that Jacobs behaviour in this affair was generous, fair, and candid; that he chose the ring-streaked cattle with a view to prevent disputes, trusting that God would so order it, agreeably to his petition at Beth-el, that he should have enough, being determined to be content with what Gods providence should give him; and that, when he made use of the rods, it was an act of faith, and in obedience to Gods command. We have the more reason to think this, because we find nothing but good arose to Jacob from it; whereas, we may remark, that though the Scripture often mentions the misconduct of good men, yet it always takes care to inform us, that evil arose to them in consequence of such actions. We may observe also Gods faithfulness; he had promised Jacob at Beth-el to be with him in all places whither he should go; and we find him accordingly blessing Laban because he was with him: so that, though Laban had but little when Jacob came to him, it was, under him, increased to a multitude. We ought likewise to take notice that, though Jacob, from what he says to Laban in the following chapter, appears to have been a most industrious, faithful servant, yet he attributes all the increase of the flock to the blessing of God, and not to his own care.