Definition: If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really interesting story about a young man named Jacob! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Story: This passage comes from Genesis 31, and it describes a tricky trick that Joseph, Jacob’s brother, plays on him. He convinces Jacob to do something incredibly unfair – he tells him to divide the animals of his flock (cattle) into groups based on color. Let's unpack each part: “If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages…” - This means if Jacob says, “I’ll give you these cows for the color of their spots,” then Joseph will give him a reward – wages – for his work. Basically, he's offering him some money for doing a task. “Then all the cattle bare speckled…” - This means all the cows in Jacob’s herd are now covered with spots (like a zebra). “…and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire…” – If Jacob says, “I’ll pay you to work for this,” then Joseph will give him a job – hire . This is like paying someone to do something. “Bare all the cattle ringstraked.” - This means Joseph will arrange the cows so that every single cow is connected by a rope (a “ring”) – making them all tied together. What’s the Big Idea? This story illustrates that God's justice and fairness are important. It shows that even when people try to trick or manipulate us, God will always ensure things are fair and that those who do wrong get a consequence. It's a warning! It’s a reminder that we should be honest and truthful with each other. It also emphasizes the importance of keeping your promises – because if you make a promise, you must keep it! In short, this verse is about God's way of ensuring fairness and consequences for wrongdoing. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the story in more detail? Talk about the symbolism behind this story (like the colors representing something)? Connect this story to a broader theme in the Bible?