Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
This is how it was for me: during the day the heat wore me down, and at night the cold chilled me; and I couldn't get any sleep.
Jacob is describing the harsh conditions he endured while working as a shepherd for his uncle Laban - suffering from extreme heat during the day and bitter cold at night, losing sleep in the process.
📚 Historical Context
Jacob is speaking to his wives Rachel and Leah, explaining the difficult conditions he faced during his 20 years working for their father Laban in Mesopotamia. As a shepherd in the ancient Near East, Jacob had to stay with the flocks day and night, protecting them from predators and harsh weather. This was part of his argument for why God had blessed him and why it was time to leave Laban's household.
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