Keraia
Genesis 30

Genesis 30:38

Jacob Prospers · Genesis 30:25–43
Read Genesis 30

Translations

Modern
Then he set the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of the flocks coming in to drink. So when the flocks were in heat and came to drink,
Traditional
And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
Literal
And he set the rods that he had peeled in the channels, in the watering troughs, where the flock came to drink—before the flock—and they conceived when they came to drink.
Latin
Posuitque eas in canalibus, ubi effundebatur aqua: ut cum venissent greges ad bibendum, ante oculos haberent virgas, et in aspectu earum conciperent.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then he set the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of the flocks coming in to drink. So when the flocks were in heat and came to drink,

Notes

Genesis 30:37–43

God blessed Jacob even though Laban was deceitful. Jacob cleverly used selective breeding to grow his flock. He followed the traditional belief that peeled sticks could affect the type of animals born.

The peeled branches seemed to help his animals produce streaked and spotted offspring. Jacob later admitted that God had helped him succeed (31:7–12). Jacob ended up with stronger animals, while Laban got the weaker ones (30:41–42).

Genesis 29:1–31:55

  • These chapters describe how God fulfilled his promise by greatly blessing Jacob with a family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction.

  • The story of Jacob and Laban is similar to Israel's later stay in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the 12 tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of 12 large tribes and escaping with great riches.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Jacob Symbolic Numbers

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Cattle Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Jacob Maid, Maiden Mandrake Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Animals: Facts About Breeding Contracts: Violated Covetousness in Defrauding Laban of his Flocks and Herds Craftiness in Management of Laban's Flocks and Herds Dishonesty: Jacob Gains from Laban's Flocks by Skillful Manipulation Jacob: Sharp Practice of, with the Flocks and Herds of Laban Laban: Jacob Becomes his Servant Laban: Outwitted by Jacob Sheep: Also: Jacob's Management of Son-In-Law: Unjust, Jacob Worldliness: Jacob