For this paper, please focus on a small (roughly 6-10 verse) section of Genesis 38- and work it through in as much detail as you can. You should, at a minimum: Use ALL TEN READING TOOLS, including: *Compare translations. What words are so different acro

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Genesis 30:25-34

Translation comparison

In translation comparison between the New International Version (NIV), and the American Standard Version (ASV) in these ten verses, the importance of getting to know the original Hebrew and Greek texts come in, in one area. In the ASV, “appoint thy wages” has been used in verse 28 of chapter 30, while the NIV has used “name your wages.” These might sound different but may become clearer when the Hebrew and Greek versions are consulted in the true, archaic meaning behind these verses (you haven't shown consultation with the Hebrew, which is necessary for this paper). This then brings out the translation issues. In the case of wordplays, the meaning of Laban’s name is white. When Jacob talks about identifying the speckled, spotted, and dark-colored lambs, and goats, he refrains from the flock that has similarities to the “whiteness” of Laban, given the fact that Laban goes back on his word to Jacob 10 times (Barker, & Overdrive Inc., 2011).

The structure of the section

In the case of the structure of the section in focus, with an extension of 10 verses, a chiasm is present in the section. The wives of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, together with their servants, are all fertile, given their ability to give birth to several children. The focal point here is where Rachel bears Joseph, after which Jacob decides to go back to his homeland for the sake of making provision for his household, and not anymore for Laban’s household. The flocks of Jacob then become fertile as a way of Jacob gaining wages from Laban for the years he had been working for Laban.

The cultural context

In the section identified for better understanding, the cultural context has been brought out. There are two scenes which have been identified in this regard. The first scene has to do with the birth of Joseph courtesy of Rachel, the mother. This is after God decides to open Rachel’s womb, following her closure of the womb, when Leah becomes hated because Jacob loves Rachel more than he does Leah. This is as a way of drawing Joseph towards Leah so that he can also show affection to Leah. Following the birth of Joseph, comes the decision of Jacob to go back to his homeland, Canaan. He lets Laban know of his decision, to which Laban shows reluctance following the prosperity that Laban has enjoyed courtesy of the blessings that Jacob has brought him. They both agree on wages that Jacob would receive in the form of a specific flock. What remains unclear in this case is where Jacob mentions his decision of moving back to his home, only to have him agreeing on wages from Laban in the form of the flock. This does not justify how Jacob will be able to leave Laban’s home for his homeland. It is not understood what the meaning behind taking on wages in the form of flock instead of leaving is, especially with regard to this cultural context. Captivity or slavery of Jacob still continues. This is similar with regard to the case of Jerusalem being in captivity. Jacob was “exiled” to Haran for fear of being killed by his brother, Esau, while the Jews from Jerusalem were, also exiled Babylon. (What you say here is interesting and well-observed, but there's not much about "cultural context." You might have mentioned something about sheep herding in the ancient world, or Mesopotamian cultural norms)

Narrative context

In the narrative context, this section of Genesis fits quite well with the running away of Jacob from his homeland, following the likelihood of being killed by his brother for stealing his birthright. This section also identifies the blessings that Jacob receives when his father, Isaac gives him the birthright, which can, therefore, be seen in the blessings that Laban, and then Jacob experiences. The promises made by Isaac, and by God to Jacob, come true through the blessings that Jacob experiences while in Haran. In the larger context of Genesis, this section fits in quite well given the fact that those who remain faithful to the Lord are able to receive blessings in abundance from the Lord, given that they are His chosen ones. This is clear when it comes to Abraham, and Noah, who are blessed of the Lord.

Foreshadowing and intra-textual echoing

In foreshadowing and intra-textual echoing, there is recalling, and anticipation within the section identified in this case. Jacob mentions the toiling that he does in a bid to get Rachel, with an additional period of getting Leah. An extra six years is used in working for Laban’s flocks of sheep, and goats. Jacob serves Laban for seven years only to be given Leah, instead of Rachel. In this regard, the anticipation can be seen where David in 1 Samuel reigns within Judah for seven years, before reigning in Israel(this is INTERtexual echoing: between two different texts, rather than "within" (INTRA) a text.). This is anticipation that can be said to be directly related to the former, given the fact that Leah was the mother to Judah. In Jacob slaving for Laban for 20 years, there is anticipation as can be seen where Israel slaves for the monarchy of Solomon( I'm not seeing a connection here; Laban clearly is not parallel with Solomon in any way I can see. ). In the decision of Jacob to go back to his homeland, the same can be seen as anticipation where Israel goes back to its ancestral land. In knowledge about characters, Jacob serves seven years for Leah instead of Rachel, and David slaves seven years in Judah, before his reign in Israel, with there being a correlation between Judah, and Leah, where Leah is the mother to Judah. The meaning that can be identified here is that the Bible is one book with many stories that are all tied to each other, with the focus being on the glory of God(no, this is simply not so. There are many, differing and even conflicting purposes in the collection of biblical texts. Many texts compete with each other, as Genesis does with the Ezra-Nehemiah perspective.

The passage details

As for the passage details in this 10-verse section, Rachel’s shift from barrenness is seen as the pathway to going back to Jacob’s homeland, as an accomplishment. Jacob is viewed as a hardworking person, who is also, patient while Laban is viewed as one full of greed, and clingy onto Jacob, and his blessings. Jacob has to mention the kind of wages he wants for him to start the journey towards leaving Laban’s home, while Laban takes advantage of the situation of Jacob leaving through testing him to stay longer. Jacob knows God is on his side, and he, therefore, takes on Laban’s test to prove that God is present. For the success of the story, Laban takes away the spotted flock, but God works miraculously when the flock drinks water when the sun is high so that breeding effectively takes place. This leads to stronger flock for Jacob.

Something else that is noticeable

Something else that is noticeable is that God plays a major role in each scenario, from the opening of Rachel’s womb, to the decision of Jacob to go back home, and to the testing of the flock by Laban, for the success of Jacob. God remains the author of each story for His glory.

Presuppositions

On presuppositions, the unfolding meaning challenges me always to remember that God is all sovereign, something that I tend to forget, which means that He is God over all, and in control. It challenges me always to place Him first, and put my thoughts of self in His care, and control( a point which Genesis does NOT agree about; hence, the need for the Flood, as God could not control human violence (and remains unable to control it, then and now). I am definitely challenged to rethink my life so that it is aligned with God’s will for me.

Insights

On insights, Bakon (2012) in “Genesis 31: Jacob’s Peculiar Dream”, is able to identify how the dreams Jacob had after fleeing from Esau, and after outsmarting Laban following the breeding of the flock were able to direct them all to the promises by God to him. Better understanding about the promises from God, each time; give him reassurance in his success, and his standing in God, and managing through the hurdles.

Additional reading insights

On additional reading insights, the writers assigned this reading help with my understanding since they help in the identifying of the relationship between the meaning of Laban’s name, and the avoidance of the “white” part of the flock by Jacob. This is courtesy of “Transformation and Demarcation of Jacob’s “Flocks” by Park (2010) identifying the role that Hamilton plays in identifying this aspect from this section of Genesis. This helps give the section a deeper meaning, thus a deeper understanding. Kelsey (2018) helps identify how the dishonesty and deception by Laban on Jacob leads to slaving for fourteen years for the women, with enrichment for Laban. Following this enslavement, Jacob manages to acquire great wealth following the wages from Laban’s flocks.

References

Bakon, S. (2012). Genesis 31: Jacob's Peculiar Dream. Jewish Bible Quarterly, 40(4), 3.

Barker, K. L., & OverDrive, Inc. (2011). NIV study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Park, S. M. S. (2010). Transformation and Demarcation of Jacob's" Flocks" in Genesis 30: 25-43: Identity, Election, and the Role of the Divine. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 72(4), 667-677.