Genesis 30:36

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flocks.

American Standard Version (1901)

and he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Bible in Basic English

And sent them three days' journey away: and Jacob took care of the rest of Laban's flock.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he set the space of three days’ journey betwixt himself and his son in law, who fed the rest of his flock.

Free Bible Version

a three day journey between them and Jacob, while Jacob was looking after the rest of Laban's flocks.

Geneva Bible 1599

And hee set three dayes iourney betweene himselfe and Iaakob. And Iaakob kept the rest of Labans sheepe.

King James (Authorized) Version

And he set three days’ journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

One Unity Resource Bible

He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob [Supplanter], and Jacob [Supplanter] fed the rest of Laban [White]’s flocks.

Translation for Translators

Then he took these flocks and walked a distance of three days, in order that he could be that far from Jacob. Jacob continued to take care of the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Laban also put three days' journey between himself and Jacob. So Jacob kept tending the rest of Laban's flocks.

Noah Webster Bible

And he set three days' journey between himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

World English Bible

He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Young's Literal Translation

and setteth a journey of three days between himself and Jacob; and Jacob is feeding the rest of the flock of Laban.

Context

Jacob Prospers

³⁵That very day Laban removed all the streaked or spotted male goats and every speckled or spotted female goat—every one that had any white on it—and every dark-colored lamb, and he placed them under the care of his sons.³⁶Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flocks.

Summary

In this verse, we see Jacob using a unique breeding technique with Laban's flock to increase his own wealth. By placing the striped rods in front of the flocks as they mated, he influenced the offspring to be striped, speckled, or spotted. This cunning strategy showcases Jacob's resourcefulness and determination to prosper despite Laban's deceitful practices. It also reveals how God can bless and multiply our efforts, even in challenging circumstances, when we trust in Him for guidance and provision. Ultimately, this verse illustrates the importance of diligence, creativity, and faith in God's faithfulness in achieving success.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Jacob did separate the lambs,.... The ringstraked, speckled, and spotted: and set the faces of the flocks, that were all white: towards the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; either to go before those that were all white, that they by looking at them might conceive and bring forth such, which was another artifice of Jacob's to increase his own sheep; or else he set at the water troughs the white sheep on one side of them, and on the opposite side the speckled ones, &c. that the same effect might also be produced the more successfully both by the rods and by the speckled lambs: and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle; partly that they might not be mixed together, but kept distinct, that what was his property might be discerned from Laban's; and partly, lest his spotted ones, being mixed with Laban's white sheep, by continual looking at them, should conceive and bring forth such likewise, and so his flocks be lessened.