Keraia
Genesis 30

Genesis 30:41

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

Translations

Modern
Whenever the stronger females of the flock were in heat, Jacob would place the branches in the troughs, in full view of the animals, so that they would breed in front of the branches.
Traditional
And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
Literal
And it came to pass whenever the strong of the flock conceived, that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the flock in the channels, that they might conceive in front of the ro ds.
Latin
Igitur quando primo tempore ascendebantur oves, ponebat Jacob virgas in canalibus aquarum ante oculos arietum et ovium, ut in earum contemplatione conciperent:

Original

Hebrew
English
Whenever the stronger females of the flock were in heat, Jacob would place the branches in the troughs, in full view of the animals, so that they would breed in front of the branches.

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

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 Son-In-Law: Unjust, Jacob Worldliness: Jacob