NOTES for Gen 30:1-24
Strife and discord in the family, envy and malice, blackmail and threats - all this formed the basis of Jacob's everyday life. And this became the reason for the birth of Jacob's twelve sons and, therefore, the twelve tribes, each of which would play a special role in the history of the chosen people. The family is growing, and with every day it becomes more obvious that the time has come to separate from his father-in-law's family and live on his own. And the first sign of separation will be the division of livestock, which forms the basis of wealth (for livestock breeding on practically desert land is the main occupation).