Lexical Summary naqod: Speckled, spotted Original Word: נָקֹד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance speckled From an unused root meaning to mark (by puncturing or branding); spotted -- speckled. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition speckled NASB Translation speckled (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָקֹד adjective speckled; — only of sheep and goats; ׳נ Genesis 30:32 (twice in verse), feminine plural נְקֻדּוֺת Genesis 30:35 (all "" טָלוּא), masculine plural נְקֻדִּים Genesis 30:39 ( "" id. + עֲקֻדִּים; — all these J); masculine plural also Genesis 31:8 (twice in verse) and (+ עֲקֻדִּים, בְּרֻדִּים) Genesis 31:10; Genesis 31:12 (all E). Topical Lexicon Usage in the Patriarchal Narrative נָקֹד (naqod, “speckled” or “spotted”) appears exclusively in the record of Jacob’s dealings with Laban (Genesis 30–31). Nine occurrences trace the livestock agreement that became the means by which the Lord transferred wealth from the deceitful uncle to the covenant heir. The term is always paired with other color-patterns—“streaked,” “spotted,” “dark-colored”—to define Jacob’s wages: “Let me pass through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled and spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, and every spotted or speckled goat. Such will be my wages” (Genesis 30:32). Cultural and Economic Background In ancient pastoral economies, distinctively marked animals were relatively rare and easily identified, making them an ideal form of contracted payment. Laban assumed the visual improbability of speckled offspring would secure his advantage. Jacob, however, trusted the God who had promised, “I will be with you” (Genesis 31:3). The narrative thus uses naqod as a literary marker of divine reversal: what seems least likely multiplies supernaturally. Divine Intervention and Genetic Phenomena Genesis 31:10–12 recounts a revelatory dream in which the rams mounting the flocks are themselves “speckled and spotted.” The text attributes the breeding outcome directly to the Angel of God, not to Jacob’s peeled rods alone. This underlines that the Creator governs even the microscopic realm of heredity to keep covenant promises (compare Psalm 104:24). Modern genetics may explain recessive traits, but Scripture insists that behind every natural mechanism stands the purposeful hand of God. Ethical Dimensions Jacob’s integrity is repeatedly highlighted: “My righteousness will testify for me in the days to come, when you determine my wages” (Genesis 30:33). The proliferation of naqod animals vindicates honest labor over manipulative exploitation. The episode challenges readers to embrace transparency and trust God for provision rather than resort to unrighteous gain. Foreshadowing of Separation and Ownership The speckled animals become a concrete boundary between Jacob and Laban, anticipating Israel’s later separation from Egypt with “plunder” given by the Lord (Exodus 12:36). Just as the marked livestock distinguished Jacob’s property, the blood-marked doorposts will identify the redeemed nation. Naqod thus prefigures the biblical motif of visible distinction for the people of God. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • God prospers faithfulness in hostile environments; believers serving under unjust authority can look to Jacob’s account for hope. Summary נָקֹד signifies more than spotted coats; it signals the surprising ways God fulfills His word, overturns injustice, and sets apart His own. In every occurrence the term points to a faithful Lord who transforms the unlikely into abundant evidence of His covenant grace. Forms and Transliterations הַנְּקֻדּ֣וֹת הנקדות וְנָקֹ֖ד ונקד נְקֻדִּ֑ים נְקֻדִּ֖ים נְקֻדִּים֙ נָקֹ֣ד נָקֹ֨ד נקד נקדים han·nə·qud·dō·wṯ hannekudDot hannəquddōwṯ nā·qōḏ naKod nāqōḏ nə·qud·dîm nekudDim nəquddîm venaKod wə·nā·qōḏ wənāqōḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 30:32 HEB: כָּל־ שֶׂ֣ה ׀ נָקֹ֣ד וְטָל֗וּא וְכָל־ NAS: every speckled and spotted KJV: removing from thence all the speckled and spotted INT: every sheep speckled and spotted and every Genesis 30:32 Genesis 30:33 Genesis 30:35 Genesis 30:39 Genesis 31:8 Genesis 31:8 Genesis 31:10 Genesis 31:12 9 Occurrences |
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