Keraia
Genesis 30

Genesis 30:40

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

Translations

Modern
Jacob set apart the young, but made the rest face the streaked dark-colored sheep in Laban’s flocks. Then he set his own stock apart and did not put them with Laban’s animals.
Traditional
And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban’s cattle.
Literal
And Jacob separated the lambs, and he set the face of the flock toward the striped, and all the brown in the flock of Laban. And he set for himself flocks by themselves, and he did not set them with the flock of Laban.
Latin
Divisitque gregem Jacob, et posuit virgas in canalibus ante oculos arietum: erant autem alba et nigra quæque, Laban; cetera vero, Jacob, separatis inter se gregibus.

Original

Hebrew
English
Jacob set apart the young, but made the rest face the streaked dark-colored sheep in Laban’s flocks. Then he set his own stock apart and did not put them with Laban’s animals.

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

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Laban: Brother of Rebekah; father of Leah and Rachel

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