Genesis 30:41
Genesis 30:41 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger of the flock did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the flock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods;
And whenever the stronger ones of the flock became with young, Jacob put the sticks in front of them in the drinking-places, so that they might become with young when they saw the sticks.
When the strong females were ready to breed, Jacob put the sticks in the troughs where the flocks could see them when they mated.
And in euery ramming time of the stronger sheepe, Iaakob layde the rods before the eyes of the sheepe in the gutters, that they might conceiue before the rods.
And it hath come to pass whenever the strong ones of the flock conceive, that Jacob set the rods before the eyes of the flock in the gutters, to cause them to conceive by the rods,
Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering troughs, that they might conceive among the rods;
And it came to pass, whenever the stronger cattle conceived, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
So when the ewes went first to ram, Jacob put the rods in the troughs of water before the eyes of the rams, and of the ewes, that they might conceive while they were looking upon them:
In addition, whenever the stronger female sheep were ready to mate, Jacob put some of those peeled branches in the troughs in front of them, so that they would mate in front of the branches.
Jacob wanted his sheep and goats to be stronger than Laban’s, so he wanted the strong babies to be born with funny coloured wool. So whenever the strong sheep and strong goats came to drink water, Jacob put the spotty branches there, and the strong males and strong females joined together to make babies in front of those branches. Later on, when those babies were born, they were strong too, and they had funny coloured wool, so they belonged to Jacob.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 30:41
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 30:41 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֗ה
בְּ/כָל
יַחֵם֮
הַ/צֹּ֣אן
הַ/מְקֻשָּׁרוֹת֒
וְ/שָׂ֨ם
יַעֲקֹ֧ב
אֶת
הַ/מַּקְל֛וֹת
לְ/עֵינֵ֥י
הַ/צֹּ֖אן
בָּ/רֳהָטִ֑ים
לְ/יַחְמֵ֖/נָּה
בַּ/מַּקְלֽוֹת
וְ/הָיָ֗ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
יַחֵם֮
yâcham
H3179
to conceive
V-Piel-Inf-a
הַ/צֹּ֣אן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
Art | N-cs
הַ/מְקֻשָּׁרוֹת֒
qâshar
H7194
to conspire
Art | V-Pual-Inf-c
וְ/שָׂ֨ם
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יַעֲקֹ֧ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/מַּקְל֛וֹת
maqqêl
H4731
rod
Art | N-mp
לְ/עֵינֵ֥י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd
הַ/צֹּ֖אן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
Art | N-cs
בָּ/רֳהָטִ֑ים
rahaṭ
H7298
trough
Prep | N-mp
לְ/יַחְמֵ֖/נָּה
yâcham
H3179
to conceive
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
בַּ/מַּקְלֽוֹת
maqqêl
H4731
rod
Prep | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 30:41
וְ/הָיָ֗ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְּ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יַחֵם֮
yâcham
H3179
"to conceive"
V-Piel-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to conceive or become hot, often used to describe animals mating or people feeling angry. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing the natural world and human emotions. This word is also used to describe God's anger.
Definition: 1) to be hot, conceive 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be hot, become hot 1a2) to mate (of animals) 1a3) to be or become hot (fig. of anger) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to conceive (sexually) 1b2) to be in heat (of animals)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: get heat, be hot, conceive, be warm. See also: Genesis 30:38; Deuteronomy 19:6; Psalms 51:7.
הַ/צֹּ֣אן
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
Art | N-cs
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
הַ/מְקֻשָּׁרוֹת֒
qâshar
H7194
"to conspire"
Art | V-Pual-Inf-c
In the Bible, this verb means to tie or bind something, like when God bound Isaac in Genesis 22:9. It can also mean to conspire or make an alliance, as in 2 Samuel 15:31. The KJV translates it as bind or conspire.
Definition: 1) to bind, tie, bind together, league together, conspire 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bind, confine 1a2) to league together, conspire 1b) (Niphal) to be bound, be bound up 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to bind on 1c2) to bind fast 1c3) to bind, tie 1c4) to bind to oneself 1d) (Pual) robust, vigorous (participle) 1e) (Hithpael) to conspire
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: bind (up), (make a) conspire(-acy, -ator), join together, knit, stronger, work (treason). See also: Genesis 30:41; 2 Kings 15:25; Proverbs 3:3.
וְ/שָׂ֨ם
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
יַעֲקֹ֧ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/מַּקְל֛וֹת
maqqêl
H4731
"rod"
Art | N-mp
A rod or staff, like a walking stick, is used for support or guidance in the Bible, as seen in Exodus with Moses' staff. It can also be a symbol of authority. The word appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) rod, staff 1a) rod, stick 1b) staff (in travel) 1c) wand (of diviner)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: rod, (hand-)staff. See also: Genesis 30:37; 1 Samuel 17:43; Jeremiah 1:11.
לְ/עֵינֵ֥י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
הַ/צֹּ֖אן
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
Art | N-cs
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
בָּ/רֳהָטִ֑ים
rahaṭ
H7298
"trough"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word refers to a lock of hair or a channel for water, like a gutter or trough. It is used to describe the temple's design in Ezekiel 40-42. The word is also used to describe a ringlet of hair.
Definition: trough, hollow
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: gallery, gutter, trough. See also: Genesis 30:38; Exodus 2:16; Song of Solomon 7:6.
לְ/יַחְמֵ֖/נָּה
yâcham
H3179
"to conceive"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to conceive or become hot, often used to describe animals mating or people feeling angry. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing the natural world and human emotions. This word is also used to describe God's anger.
Definition: 1) to be hot, conceive 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be hot, become hot 1a2) to mate (of animals) 1a3) to be or become hot (fig. of anger) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to conceive (sexually) 1b2) to be in heat (of animals)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: get heat, be hot, conceive, be warm. See also: Genesis 30:38; Deuteronomy 19:6; Psalms 51:7.
בַּ/מַּקְלֽוֹת
maqqêl
H4731
"rod"
Prep | N-mp
A rod or staff, like a walking stick, is used for support or guidance in the Bible, as seen in Exodus with Moses' staff. It can also be a symbol of authority. The word appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) rod, staff 1a) rod, stick 1b) staff (in travel) 1c) wand (of diviner)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: rod, (hand-)staff. See also: Genesis 30:37; 1 Samuel 17:43; Jeremiah 1:11.
Study Notes — Genesis 30:41
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Genesis 30:41 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:41
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:41
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 30:41
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:41
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:41
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 30:41
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:41
Context — Jacob Prospers
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.
41Whenever 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.
42But if the animals were weak, he did not set out the branches. So the weaker animals went to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob. 43Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.Genesis 30:41 Summary
Genesis 30:41 shows Jacob trying to influence the breeding of his flocks by placing branches in front of the stronger females. This was part of his plan to increase his own flock, as he was trying to provide for himself and his family, as seen in Genesis 29:15-30. While Jacob's methods may seem unusual to us, they reflect his desire to be a good steward of the resources God had given him (as mentioned in Matthew 25:14-30). As we read this verse, we can remember that God is always working, even when we don't fully understand His ways, and that trusting in Him is the key to true success, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of placing branches in the troughs in front of the stronger females of the flock?
The purpose was to influence the breeding of the flock, so that they would produce offspring with desirable traits, as seen in Genesis 30:41. This was part of Jacob's plan to increase his own flock, as mentioned in Genesis 30:40.
Did Jacob's method of placing branches in the troughs actually work?
The Bible does not explicitly state that the branches had a supernatural effect on the breeding of the animals, but it is clear that Jacob's flocks became strong and numerous, as stated in Genesis 30:43. This could be attributed to a combination of Jacob's cleverness and God's blessing, as seen in Genesis 28:15.
Was Jacob's action in Genesis 30:41 an example of trusting in God or relying on his own cleverness?
While Jacob's actions in Genesis 30:41 may seem like a mix of both, it is clear that he was still learning to trust in God, as seen in his earlier struggles with Laban in Genesis 29:15-30. However, his experiences and God's faithfulness, as promised in Genesis 28:15, would eventually lead him to greater trust and dependence on God.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Jacob's life and faith?
Genesis 30:41 is part of the story of Jacob's time with Laban, where he learned valuable lessons about trust, perseverance, and God's faithfulness, as seen in Genesis 31:3 and Genesis 32:9-10. This experience would shape his faith and inform his future decisions, as seen in Genesis 33:5 and Genesis 35:1-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can trust in God's sovereignty, even when faced with challenging circumstances, like Jacob in Genesis 30:41?
- How can I apply the principle of stewardship, as seen in Jacob's care for the flocks, to my own life and responsibilities, as mentioned in Matthew 25:14-30?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be relying on my own strength or cleverness, rather than trusting in God's power and provision, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- In what ways can I use my talents and abilities to glorify God and bless others, as Jacob's efforts ultimately did, as stated in Genesis 30:43?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:41
And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive,.... Whose limbs were well compact, and were strong and healthy: that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:41
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. Whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 30:41
It is known that the cattle in those parts did conceive and bring forth twice in a year, at spring and in autumn; and it is supposed that the stronger here mentioned, are such as joined in the spring, and the feeble they that joined in autumn.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:41
Genesis 30:41 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.Ver. 41. The stronger cattle.] Heb., Bound together, i.e., lusty and well set.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:41
(41, 42) The stronger cattle . . . when the cattle were feeble.—The words for “strong” and “feeble” are literally bound and covered, so that evidently we have technical terms, which Onkelos and the Syriac explain of the females at the two breeding seasons. The ewes in the spring, after the cold season, are bound, firmly knit together, and the lambs strong and healthy. The other word, covered, seems to mean seeking concealment, hiding away (Job 23:9); and therefore faint, its meaning in Psalms 61:2, Psalms 102, title (Authorised Version, overwhelmed), and Isaiah 57:16 (Authorised Version, fail). The autumn-born lambs are of no great value, and Jacob left them to the course of nature.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 30:41
Verse 41. Whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive] The word מקשרות mekushsharoth, which we translate stronger, is understood by several of the ancient interpreters as signifying the early, first-born, or early spring cattle; and hence it is opposed to עטפים atuphim, which we translate feeble, and which Symmachus properly renders δευτερογονοι, cattle of the second birth, as he renders the word mekushsharoth by πρωτογονοι, cattle of the first or earliest birth. Now this does not apply merely to two births from the same female in one year, which actually did take place according to the rabbins, the first in Nisan, about our March, and the second in Tisri, about our September; but it more particularly refers to early and late lambs, c., in the same year as those that are born just at the termination of winter, and in the very commencement of spring, are every way more valuable than those which were born later in the same spring. Jacob therefore took good heed not to try his experiments with those late produced cattle, because he knew these would produce a degenerate breed, but with the early cattle, which were strong and vigorous, by which his breed must be improved. Hence the whole flock of Laban must be necessarily injured, while Jacob's flock was preserved in a state of increasing perfection. All this proves a consummate knowledge in Jacob of his pastoral office. If extensive breeders in this country were to attend to the same plan, our breed would be improved in a most eminent degree. What a fund of instruction upon almost every subject is to be found in the sacred writings!
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:41
41. the stronger] A third device on Jacob’s part. He is careful, at the breeding season, to pick out only the finer animals before which to place the peeled rods. Hence he obtained for his own share the young of the better animals.