Genesis 30:42
Genesis 30:42 in Multiple Translations
But 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.
But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.
but when the flock were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.
But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put the sticks before them; so that the feebler flocks were Laban's and the stronger were Jacob's.
He didn't do this for the weaker females. The weaker ones went to Laban, and the strong ones went to Jacob.
But when the sheepe were feeble, hee put them not in: and so the feebler were Labans, and the stronger Iaakobs.
and when the flock is feeble, he doth not set [them]; and the feeble ones have been Laban's, and the strong ones Jacob's.
but when the flock were feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.
But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.
But when the latter coming was, and the last conceiving, he did not put them. And those that were lateward, became Laban’s: and they of the first time, Jacob’s.
But when weak animals were ready to mate, he did not put the branches in their troughs. So the weak ones became part of Laban’s flock, and the strong ones became part of Jacob’s flock.
But when the weak sheep and weak goats came to that place, Jacob didn’t put those branches in front of them. Then the weak sheep had white babies, and the weak goats had black babies, so they belonged to Laban. But the strong baby sheep and goats, they had funny coloured wool, so they belonged to Jacob.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 30:42
BAB
Word Study
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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 30:42 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/בְ/הַעֲטִ֥יף
הַ/צֹּ֖אן
לֹ֣א
יָשִׂ֑ים
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
הָ/עֲטֻפִים֙
לְ/לָבָ֔ן
וְ/הַ/קְּשֻׁרִ֖ים
לְ/יַעֲקֹֽב
וּ/בְ/הַעֲטִ֥יף
ʻâṭaph
H5848
to turn aside
Conj | Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
הַ/צֹּ֖אן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
Art | N-cs
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָשִׂ֑ים
sûwm
H7760
to set
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
הָ/עֲטֻפִים֙
ʻâṭaph
H5848
to turn aside
Art | V-Qal-Inf-c
לְ/לָבָ֔ן
Lâbân
H3837
Laban
Prep | N-proper
וְ/הַ/קְּשֻׁרִ֖ים
qâshar
H7194
to conspire
Conj | Art | V-Qal-Inf-c
לְ/יַעֲקֹֽב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 30:42
וּ/בְ/הַעֲטִ֥יף
ʻâṭaph
H5848
"to turn aside"
Conj | Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to feel weak or faint, like when someone is overwhelmed and can't cope. It appears in the Bible when people are struggling, like in Psalm 61:2. The word also means to be covered or hidden.
Definition: 1) to turn aside 1a) (Qal) to turn aside, turn (in order to cover)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: cover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed, swoon. See also: Genesis 30:42; Psalms 107:5; Psalms 61:3.
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.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָשִׂ֑ים
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
V-Qal-Imperf-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.
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
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.
הָ/עֲטֻפִים֙
ʻâṭaph
H5848
"to turn aside"
Art | V-Qal-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to feel weak or faint, like when someone is overwhelmed and can't cope. It appears in the Bible when people are struggling, like in Psalm 61:2. The word also means to be covered or hidden.
Definition: 1) to turn aside 1a) (Qal) to turn aside, turn (in order to cover)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: cover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed, swoon. See also: Genesis 30:42; Psalms 107:5; Psalms 61:3.
לְ/לָבָ֔ן
Lâbân
H3837
"Laban"
Prep | N-proper
Refers to Laban, a person in the Bible, or a place in the desert where the Israelites camped.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.24.29; son of: Bethuel (H1328A); brother of: Rebekah (H7259); father of: Rachel (H7354) and Leah (H3812) § Laban = "white" son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Laban. See also: Genesis 24:29; Genesis 30:40; Deuteronomy 1:1.
וְ/הַ/קְּשֻׁרִ֖ים
qâshar
H7194
"to conspire"
Conj | Art | V-Qal-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.
לְ/יַעֲקֹֽב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
Prep | 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.
Study Notes — Genesis 30:42
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jacob Prospers
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 30:42 Summary
In this verse, we see Jacob using his knowledge of animal breeding to increase his own flock, by setting out branches for the stronger animals to breed. This shows us the importance of being diligent and wise in our work, just as Jacob was. As we trust in God's provision, like Jacob did, we can also experience His blessing and prosperity in our lives, as seen in Genesis 30:43 and Deuteronomy 8:18. By being faithful stewards of what God has given us, we can see His blessings overflow in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of Jacob setting out the branches for the stronger animals?
The purpose was to influence the breeding of the animals, as seen in Genesis 30:41, so that the stronger ones would be born in Jacob's flock, ultimately leading to his prosperity, as mentioned in Genesis 30:43.
Why did Jacob not set out the branches for the weaker animals?
Jacob did not set out the branches for the weaker animals because he wanted them to go to Laban, as stated in Genesis 30:42, which would be to his own advantage in the division of the flocks.
How did Jacob's actions in this verse contribute to his prosperity?
Jacob's actions, including setting out the branches for the stronger animals, contributed to his prosperity by allowing him to acquire the stronger animals, as stated in Genesis 30:42, which would then reproduce and increase his flock, as seen in Genesis 30:43.
Is Jacob's method of influencing the breeding of the animals a form of deception?
While Jacob's method may seem cunning, it is not necessarily deception, as he is still following the agreement made with Laban, but rather using his knowledge of animal husbandry to his advantage, as seen in Genesis 30:40-41.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can apply the principle of diligent stewardship, as seen in Jacob's care for his flocks, to my own life and responsibilities?
- How can I, like Jacob, use my God-given knowledge and skills to wisely manage the resources entrusted to me?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for me and bless my efforts, just as He did for Jacob in Genesis 30:43?
- What are some potential pitfalls or temptations that I should be aware of when seeking to increase my own prosperity or success, and how can I avoid them?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:42
And when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in,.... Or "when covered", as Menachem, that is, with wool, and so not so desirous of copulation with the males, nor so fit and strong for generation;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:42
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.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:42
Genesis 30:42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put [them] not in: so the feebler were Laban’ s, and the stronger Jacob’ s. Ver. 42. So the feebler were Laban’ s.] So elsewhere God promiseth that his people "shall rob those that robbed them, and spoil those that spoiled them".
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:42
(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.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:42
42. the feebler … the stronger] These words were a difficulty to the versions. LXX τὰἄσημα … τὰἐπίσημα, Lat. quae erant serotina … quae primi temporis. So Aq. Sym. πρώϊμαὄψιμα, and Targum of Onkelos “early” and “late,” referring to the time of breeding. The earlier breeding sheep were the stronger. Pliny, H. N., viii. 187, postea concepti invalidi (quoted by Skinner).
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 30:42
42. The feebler were Laban’s — This was a third trick. The Eastern sheep lamb twice a year, in spring and fall, and those born in the fall, according to Pliny, were the stronger.