Genesis 30:27

Genesis 30:27. I have learned by experience— The primary sense of the original word here used, נחשׁ (nachash) is to view, observe attentively, to use attentive and subtle observation; see l Kings 20: 33. and therefore our translation is extremely proper, as well as that of the Vulgate, experimento dedici: and all the observations respecting Laban's consulting his teraphim, and knowing this matter by divination, are of no import; seeing to augur, or divine, is but a secondary sense of the original word; and in so plain a case as this there could be no need of augury, when observation and experience were abundantly sufficient to assure Laban of the truth. The 26th, 29th, and 30th verses, clearly prove the sense we have given.