Commentary on Genesis John Calvin (continued)
COMMENTARY ON GENESIS
from the thirty-third verse (Genesis 30:33) another sense may be gathered: namely, that Jacob would suffer whatever was variegated in the flock to be separated and delivered to the sons of Laban to be fed; but that he himself would retain the unspotted sheep and goats. And certainly it would be absurd that Jacob should now claim part of the flock for himself, when he had just confessed, that hitherto he had made no gain. Moreover, the gain thus acquired would have been more than was just; and there was no hope that this could be obtained from Laban. A question however arises, by what hope, or by what counsel bad Jacob been induced to propose this condition? A little afterwards, Moses will relate that he had used cunning, in order that party-coloured and spotted lambs might be brought forth by the pure flock; but in the following chapter he more fully declares that Jacob had been divinely instructed thus to act (Genesis 31:1.) Therefore, although it was improbable in itself that this agreement should prove useful to the holy man, he yet obeys the celestial oracle, and wishes to be enriched in no other manner than according to the will of God. But Laban was dealt with according to his own disposition; for he eagerly caught at what seemed advantageous to himself, but God disappointed his shameful cupidity.
33. So shall my righteousness answer for me. Literally it is, "My righteousness shall answer in me." But the particle( ביbi) signifies to me or for me542 The sense, however, is clear, that Jacob does not expect success, except through his faith and integrity.543 Respecting the next clause, interpreters differ. For some read, "When thou shalt come to my reward."544
But others, translating in the third person, explain it of righteousness, which shall come to the reward, or to the remunerating of Jacob. Although either sense will suit the passage, I rather refer it to righteousness; because it is immediately added, "before thee."545 For it would be an improper form of expression, "Thou wilt come before thine own eyes to my reward." It now sufficiently appears what Jacob meant. For he declares that he hoped for a
In the Amsterdam edition the particle is,כיevidently the printer's mistake. In Hengstenberg's edition, it is,ליwhich looks as if the editor, instead of turning to the original, had, at a venture, translated Calvin's Latin words mihi, or pro me, into Hebrew. — Ed
Vide Vatablus in Poli Syn.
That is, to see that I receive my reward or wages, at the time when the flock is divided according to our compact. — Ed.
This seems to be the sense in which the English translators understood the passage. "So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it (my righteousness) shall come for my hire (or reward) before thy face." Coramto. — Ed.