Genesis 30:39

Verse

they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth ringstreaked, speckled, and spotted.

And because of this, the flock gave birth to young which were marked with bands of colour.

And it came to pass that in the very heat of coition, the sheep beheld the rods, and brought forth spotted, and of divers colours, and speckled.

Free Bible Version

The flocks mated in front of the sticks and gave birth to young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the sheepe were in heate before the rods, and afterward brought forth yong of partie colour, and with small and great spots.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

One Unity Resource Bible

The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Translation for Translators

The animals also mated in front of the branches, and eventually they gave birth to animals that were speckled, or to animals that were spotted, or to animals that had black and white stripes on them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The flocks bred in front of the sticks; and the flocks produced striped, speckled, and spotted young.

Noah Webster Bible

And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.

World English Bible

The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Young's Literal Translation

and the flocks conceive at the rods, and the flock beareth ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted ones.

Context

Jacob Prospers

³⁸Then 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,³⁹they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.⁴⁰Jacob 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.

Summary

In this verse, we see Jacob employing a clever breeding technique with the flocks to increase his own wealth. By placing the striped rods in front of the flocks as they mated, he influenced the offspring to be born with stripes. This event showcases Jacob's resourcefulness and the providence of God in blessing him with prosperity. It also serves as a reminder of how God can work through our efforts, even in unconventional ways, to fulfill His promises and provide for His people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the man increased exceedingly,.... Jacob grew very rich: and had much cattle; the greater part of Laban's flocks brought forth speckled, spotted, and brown cattle, which, according to agreement, were Jacob's: and maidservants, and menservants; which he got to take care of his household affairs, and to assist him in keeping his flocks: and camels, and asses; for his flocks increasing so very much, he sold many of his sheep at a good price, as Jarchi observes, and with it bought camels and asses; and these were very fit for his use, when he should be obliged or think fit to remove into his own country, and which he was meditating, and had a direction from the Lord for, as in the following chapter. Next: Genesis Chapter 31

Genesis 30:39

Jacob Prospers

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth ringstreaked, speckled, and spotted.

Bible in Basic English

And because of this, the flock gave birth to young which were marked with bands of colour.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And it came to pass that in the very heat of coition, the sheep beheld the rods, and brought forth spotted, and of divers colours, and speckled.

Free Bible Version

The flocks mated in front of the sticks and gave birth to young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Geneva Bible 1599

And the sheepe were in heate before the rods, and afterward brought forth yong of partie colour, and with small and great spots.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

One Unity Resource Bible

The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Translation for Translators

The animals also mated in front of the branches, and eventually they gave birth to animals that were speckled, or to animals that were spotted, or to animals that had black and white stripes on them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The flocks bred in front of the sticks; and the flocks produced striped, speckled, and spotted young.

Noah Webster Bible

And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.

World English Bible

The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Young's Literal Translation

and the flocks conceive at the rods, and the flock beareth ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted ones.