In verses 38-40 Jacob defends the sacrificial way in which he has cared for Laban’s flocks. According to Exo 22.9-14, a shepherd had certain legal protection in regard to the flocks under his care. For example, under certain conditions he was not required to replace an animal killed by wild beasts.

These twenty years I have been with you: the twenty years mentioned by Jacob have already passed at the time of this conversation with Laban, and so it may be clearer to say “I worked for you for twenty years” or “During the twenty years I worked for you….”

Your ewes and your she-goats have not miscarried: for ewes see 21.28. Miscarried translates a verb used in the Hebrew for both humans and animals. It means to abort or fail to carry the young until they are ready to be born. See Good News Translation. In 30.27 Laban admits that Jacob’s presence has increased his flocks.

And I have not eaten the rams of your flocks: according to von Rad a shepherd had the right to eat rams of the flock under his care. The rams were male animals not needed for future breeding requirements, and which the owner would normally remove from the flock.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .