Genesis 30:36
New International Version
Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob continued to tend the rest of Laban’s flocks.

New Living Translation
who took them a three-days’ journey from where Jacob was. Meanwhile, Jacob stayed and cared for the rest of Laban’s flock.

English Standard Version
And he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban’s flock.

Berean Standard Bible
Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flocks.

King James Bible
And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

New King James Version
Then he put three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

New American Standard Bible
And he put a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

NASB 1995
And he put a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

NASB 1977
And he put a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he put a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob was pasturing the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Amplified Bible
And he put [a distance of] three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob was then left in care of the rest of Laban’s flock.

Christian Standard Bible
He put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob. Jacob, meanwhile, was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flock.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob. Jacob, meanwhile, was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flock.

American Standard Version
and he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

Contemporary English Version
Then Laban made Jacob keep the rest of the sheep and goats at a distance of three days' journey.

English Revised Version
and he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He traveled three days away from Jacob. Jacob continued to take care of the rest of Laban's flocks.

Good News Translation
and then went away from Jacob with this flock as far as he could travel in three days. Jacob took care of the rest of Laban's flocks.

International Standard Version
He sent them as far away from Jacob as a three days' journey could take them. Meanwhile, Jacob kept tending the rest of Laban's flock.

Majority Standard Bible
Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flocks.

NET Bible
Then he separated them from Jacob by a three-day journey, while Jacob was taking care of the rest of Laban's flocks.

New Heart English Bible
He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob pastured the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he set three days' journey between himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

World English Bible
He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and sets a journey of three days between himself and Jacob; and Jacob is feeding the rest of the flock of Laban.

Young's Literal Translation
and setteth a journey of three days between himself and Jacob; and Jacob is feeding the rest of the flock of Laban.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will set a way of three days between him and between Jacob; and Jacob fed Laban's sheep the rest.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he set the space of three days' journey betwixt himself and his son in law, who fed the rest of his flock.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he established a distance of three days journey between himself and his son-in-law, who pastured the remainder of his flock.

New American Bible
Then he put a three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was pasturing the rest of Laban’s flock.

New Revised Standard Version
and he set a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was pasturing the rest of Laban’s flock.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he set three days journey between himself and Jacob; and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he made a three days’ journey between him and Laban, and Yaquuv fed the flock of Laban which remained.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob. And Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he set a distance of a three days' journey between them and Jacob. And Jacob tended the cattle of Laban that were left behind.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Prospers
35That very day Laban removed all the streaked or spotted male goats and every speckled or spotted female goat—every one that had any white on it—and every dark-colored lamb, and he placed them under the care of his sons. 36Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flocks. 37Jacob, however, took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches.…

Cross References
Genesis 31:9
Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me.

Genesis 31:12
‘Look up,’ he said, ‘and see that all the males that are mating with the flock are streaked, spotted, or speckled; for I have seen all that Laban has done to you.

Genesis 31:16
Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you.”

Genesis 31:41
Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times!

Genesis 31:42
If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”

Genesis 31:52
This mound is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this mound to harm you, and you will not go past this mound and pillar to harm me.

Genesis 32:10
I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps.

Genesis 33:13
But Jacob replied, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and I must care for sheep and cattle that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard for even a day, all the animals will die.

Genesis 33:14
Please let my lord go ahead of his servant. I will continue on slowly, at a comfortable pace for the livestock and children, until I come to my lord at Seir.”

Genesis 34:23
Will not their livestock, their possessions, and all their animals become ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell among us.”

Exodus 3:22
Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”

Exodus 12:36
And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.

Leviticus 25:36
Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you.

Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

Deuteronomy 15:14
You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.


Treasury of Scripture

And he set three days' journey between himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

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Betwixt Care Continued Distance Fed Feeding Flock Flocks Jacob Journey Laban's Rest Tend Three Three-Day
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Betwixt Care Continued Distance Fed Feeding Flock Flocks Jacob Journey Laban's Rest Tend Three Three-Day
Genesis 30
1. Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.
5. Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.
9. Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.
14. Reuben finds mandrakes,
15. with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.
17. Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.
22. Rachel bears Joseph.
25. Jacob desires to depart.
27. Laban detains him on a new agreement.
37. Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.














Then he put
This phrase indicates a deliberate action taken by Laban. The Hebrew root for "put" is "שׂוּם" (sum), which means to place or set. This action reflects Laban's intention to create a physical and symbolic separation between himself and Jacob. It underscores the tension and mistrust that had developed between them, highlighting the need for clear boundaries in relationships, especially when trust is compromised.

a three-day journey
The specification of "three-day journey" is significant. In ancient times, a three-day journey was a common measure of distance, often used to signify a substantial separation. This distance ensured that Jacob could not easily access or interfere with Laban's flocks. The number three in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection, suggesting that this separation was both complete and divinely ordained, allowing God's plan for Jacob to unfold without interference.

between himself and Jacob
The phrase emphasizes the personal nature of the separation. It was not just a physical distance but also a relational one. The Hebrew word for "between" is "בֵּין" (bein), which can denote division or distinction. This separation was necessary for Jacob to establish his own identity and household, free from Laban's influence. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God calling His people to be set apart for His purposes.

while Jacob was shepherding
Jacob's role as a shepherd is central to his identity and story. The Hebrew root for "shepherding" is "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which means to tend or care for. This role is symbolic of leadership and guidance, qualities that Jacob would need as the patriarch of the Israelite nation. Shepherding also reflects a life of humility and service, aligning with the biblical principle that true leadership is rooted in servanthood.

the rest of Laban’s flocks
This phrase indicates that Jacob was responsible for a portion of Laban's wealth. The Hebrew word for "flocks" is "צֹאן" (tso'n), which refers to sheep and goats, valuable assets in ancient economies. Jacob's management of these flocks demonstrates his diligence and integrity, qualities that God would bless and multiply. It also foreshadows the future prosperity that God would grant Jacob, as he faithfully fulfills his responsibilities despite the challenges posed by Laban's actions.

(36) He set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob.--This means that Laban required that there should be an interval of between thirty and forty miles between "himself," that is, his flocks, and those of Jacob. His wealth in sheep and goats must have been enormous to require so large a separate feeding-ground; and this we learn from Genesis 30:30 had been the result of Jacob's care. The words "and Jacob fed," &c., are added to correct the natural supposition that he would at least give some part of his time and care to his own flocks, whereas it was his personal duty to attend only to those of Laban. The verse, nevertheless, is awkward, and the Syriac has probably preserved the right-reading: "And he set three days' journey between himself and Laban: and Jacob fed the flock of Laban that was left." The Samaritan and LXX. read, "between them and Jacob."

Verse 36. - And (as if to insure the impossibility of the two flocks mingling and breeding) he set three days journey betwixt himself (with his sons and the parti-colored animals) and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks - out of which he was to pay himself as best he could in accordance with the contract.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then he put
וַיָּ֗שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

a three-day
שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

journey
דֶּ֚רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

between
בֵּינ֖וֹ (bê·nōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

himself and Jacob,
יַעֲקֹ֑ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

while Jacob
וְיַעֲקֹ֗ב (wə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

was shepherding
רֹעֶ֛ה (rō·‘eh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

the rest
הַנּוֹתָרֹֽת׃ (han·nō·w·ṯā·rōṯ)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

of Laban’s
לָבָ֖ן (lā·ḇān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob

flocks.
צֹ֥אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock


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OT Law: Genesis 30:36 He set three days' journey between himself (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 30:35
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