Definition: And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 30:29. It’s a really important passage about Jacob’s character and his relationship with God. Here's the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that Jacob (a man named Jacob) acknowledges that he has been helpful to God, and that God has also been helpful to him. It’s a way of expressing gratitude and recognizing God’s role in his life. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “And he said unto him…” : This is a slightly tricky part. It means "He spoke to him..." or “He addressed him.” “…Thou knowest how I have served thee…” : "Thou" is a formal way of addressing someone – like "you." "Knowest how I have served thee?" This translates to "You know how I have helped you?". It's acknowledging that Jacob has done things for God, even when he wasn’t always perfect. “and how thy cattle was with me” : This is the key part! “Thy cattle” means “your animals.” The phrase “was with me” means "was with me in a way that I helped you." Putting it all together – The Meaning: Jacob is saying, "You know how I have been helpful to you, and you have been helpful to me. I've done things for you, and I've done things for you too!" It’s a statement of gratitude and recognizing that their relationship was intertwined. Why is this important? This verse shows: Jacob's Character: It highlights Jacob’s willingness to be helpful. It suggests he wasn’t just a selfish man; he cared about God's plan. God’s Role: It emphasizes that God actively participates in our lives, helping and guiding us. In short, it’s a beautiful expression of gratitude for the good things God has done for Jacob. --- Would you like me to explain another verse or delve deeper into any aspect of this passage? For example, we could talk about: The significance of the animals in the context. How this verse connects to other stories in the Bible.