Genesis 30:39 — Word Study
WLCוַיֶּחֱמ֥וּ הַצֹּ֖אן אֶל־ הַמַּקְל֑וֹת וַתֵּלַ֣דְןָ הַצֹּ֔אן עֲקֻדִּ֥ים נְקֻדִּ֖ים וּטְלֻאִֽים׃
BSAtheytsôʼn matedyâcham▸ [in the presence of, before] in front ofʼêl the branchesmaqqêl [rods, staffs] And they boreyâlad▸ young [that were]tsôʼn [gave birth, brought forth] streakedʻâqôd [ring-streaked, striped] or specklednâqôd [with spots, spotted] or spottedṭâlâʼ [with diverse colors, patched]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֶּחֱמ֥וּ | and they mated | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| הַצֹּ֖אן | the flock | Particle, noun common both singular absolute |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| הַמַּקְל֑וֹת | the branches | Particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| וַתֵּלַ֣דְןָ | and they bore | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine plural |
| הַצֹּ֔אן | the flock | Particle, noun common both singular absolute |
| עֲקֻדִּ֥ים | striped [ones] | Adj |
| נְקֻדִּ֖ים | speckled [ones] | Adj |
| וּטְלֻאִֽים׃ | and spotted [ones] | Conjunction, verb qal participle (passive) masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted. |
| KJV | And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted. |
| ASV | And the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth ringstreaked, speckled, and spotted. |
| YLT | and the flocks conceive at the rods, and the flock beareth ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted ones. |
| WEB | The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted. |
| BBE | And because of this, the flock gave birth to young which were marked with bands of colour. |
Where they part company is in the description of the offspring — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by 'and', with the first clause detailing the mating and the second clause describing the offspring.




5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָחַם
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 30:39
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Jacob Breeds His Flockgenerated
Genesis 30:39 describes how Jacob devised a method to influence the breeding of his sheep by placing peeled branches in front of them as they drank. This was part of his strategy to separate his livestock from Laban's and ensure that the offspring would have specific markings, as outlined in earlier verses. The narrative illustrates Jacob's cleverness in managing his flocks and securing his wealth.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 31:9–12 | Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me. |
| 2 | Exodus 12:35–36 | Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָחַם, vai.ye.che.Mugenerated
The verb יָחַם (yacham) means to conceive or become hot, often used in the context of animals mating. It appears in the Qal form, indicating a simple action performed by the subject, which in this case refers to the flock. The word's usage in this verse emphasizes the mating process, highlighting Jacob's manipulation of the breeding environment.
This term also carries a figurative sense, as it can describe intense emotions like anger. However, in this context, it is specifically focused on the physical act of mating among the sheep.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יָחַם governs the first clause, indicating the action of mating, while the second verb יָלַד governs the second clause, indicating the action of giving birth. The structure reflects a sequence of actions: first the mating, then the bearing of young.
The sentence is built around these two verbs, with the subject being the flock and the prepositional phrase אֶל־ הַמַּקְל֑וֹת providing context for where the mating took place.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָחַם as ἐγκισσήσωσιν, which suggests a more active interpretation of the mating process. This choice indicates a focus on the act of breeding rather than simply the state of being in heat.
The translation of הַצֹּ֖אן as πρόβατα aligns with the common Greek term for sheep, indicating consistency in the identification of the livestock.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 30:39 describes how Jacob placed peeled branches in front of his sheep to influence their breeding. The sheep mated in front of these branches, resulting in young that were streaked, speckled, or spotted. This method was part of Jacob's strategy to ensure that the offspring would have specific markings, which was important for his dealings with Laban.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This phrase indicates that Jacob used the branches as a visual cue to influence the mating process, ensuring that the offspring would have the desired markings.
The specific markings of the offspring were significant for Jacob's breeding strategy, as he wanted to distinguish his flocks from Laban's.
This passage showcases Jacob's cleverness and resourcefulness in managing his livestock and securing his wealth.
Jacob's method teaches us about the importance of strategy and planning in achieving our goals.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What strategies do I use in my life to achieve my goals?
- How can I be more resourceful in my daily decisions?
- What can I learn from Jacob's approach to managing his flock?
- In what ways can I apply Jacob's cleverness to my own challenges?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 30:39 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the flocks conceived before the rods,.... At them, and in sight of them; which had such influence upon them through thee force of imagination, and a divine power and providence so directing and
Read John Gill on Genesis 30 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted. And the flocks conceived - literally, were in heat.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 30 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe flocks conceived; Heb. were heated, i.e. inflamed or excited, and disposed to conceive, and this in a more than ordinary manner by the Divine disposal. The event hath some foundation in nature, because of the great power of imagination; and there are divers instances in many authors, both of women and of beasts, who either by the strong fancying, or by the actual and frequent contemplation, of some certain objects, have brought forth young ones exactly of the same colour and complexion, as one did an Ethiopian, &c. But the providence of God was the principal cause of this effect, without which the productions of that kind would neither have been so many nor so certain. This policy of…
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 30 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 30:39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.Ver. 39. Ring-straked.] With a round streak, or ring, about their legs, as if they were gartered.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 30 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges25–43 (J, E). Jacob’s Wages In this passage and in the following chapter Laban is depicted in the Israelite narrative as the typical Aramaean, a crafty, selfish, grasping man of business. Jacob, however, in spite of Laban’s duplicity, prospers exceedingly. By greater cunning he outwits Laban himself, and God gives him protection and prosperity.
Read Cambridge on Genesis 30 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.
The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted.
they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.
When the sheep mated in front of the branches, they gave birth to young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.
Tyndale line
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth ringstreaked, speckled, and spotted.
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.
And the sheepe were in heate before the rods, and afterward brought forth yong of partie colour, and with small and great spots.
Strictly literal
And the flock was ardent before the rods; and the flock brought forth ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
and the flocks conceive at the rods, and the flock beareth ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted ones.
and the flocks conceive at the rods, and the flock bears striped, speckled, and spotted ones.
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.
The flocks bred in front of the sticks; and the flocks produced striped, speckled, and spotted young.
From the Latin
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.
Simplified
The flocks mated in front of the sticks and gave birth to young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted.
And because of this, the flock gave birth to young which were marked with bands of colour.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with all nine words matched. However, the Samaritan Pentateuch shows five differences from the Masoretic Text, including variations in the verbs and the terms used for the offspring.
וַיֶּחֱמ֥וּ הַצֹּ֖אן אֶל־ הַמַּקְל֑וֹת וַתֵּלַ֣דְןָ הַצֹּ֔אן עֲקֻדִּ֥ים נְקֻדִּ֖ים וּטְלֻאִֽים׃
9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויחמנה הצאן על המקלות ותלדנה הצאן עקודים נקודים וטלאים
5 words differ from the Masoretic Text: יחמנה (be hot), על (upon), תלדנה (bear), עקודים (twisted), נקודים (speckled)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 30:39
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יָחַם (yacham) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be hot or to conceive. It has a range of meanings including becoming hot, mating (especially in animals), and figuratively, it can refer to anger. The Piel form specifically denotes sexual conception or being in heat.
[יָחַם] vb. be hot, Pi. conceive
base
H3179 [יָחַם] be hot, Pi. conceive
3179 yacham yaw-kham'
a primitive root; probably to be hot; figuratively, to
conceive:--get heat, be hot, conceive, be warm.
יָחַם (ya.cham) — to conceive.
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)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
צֹאן (tso'n) refers to small cattle, specifically sheep and goats, and is used to denote a flock or flocks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a multitude. The term appears in contexts such as Psalm 144:13, where it emphasizes the collective nature of these animals.
צֹאן 273 n.coll.f. small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
base
H6629 צֹאן small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
6629 tso'n tsone
or tsaown (Psalm 144:13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root
meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or
goats); also figuratively (of men):--(small) cattle, flock
(+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)).
צֹאן (tson) — flock.
1) small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
1a) small cattle (usually of sheep and goats)
1b) of multitude (simile)
1c) of multitude (metaphor)
צֹאן (tson) — Sheep (Gate).
This name means sheep and goats
Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common both singular absoluteHTd/Ncbsa
See CATTLE.
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep — PrepositionHR
מַקֵּל (maqqel) refers to a rod or staff, often associated with travel or divination. It can denote a stick or branch, as well as a tool used by Jacob in breeding his flocks. The word is derived from an unused root that suggests the idea of germination, indicating a connection to growth.
מַקֵּל n.m. rod, staff
branch of tree as rod, stick, used by Jacob in breeding his flocks
staff, used in journeying
wand of diviner
base
H4731 מַקֵּל rod, staff . branch of tree as rod, stick, used by Jacob in breeding his flocks
. staff, used in journeying
. wand of diviner
4731 maqqel mak-kale;
or (feminine) maqqlah {mak-kel-aw'}; from an unused root
meaning apparently to germinate; a shoot, i.e. stick (with
leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding,
divining):--rod, ((hand- ))staff.
מַקֵּל (maq.qel) — rod.
1) rod, staff
1a) rod, stick
1b) staff (in travel)
1c) wand (of diviner)
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHTd/Ncfpa
The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.
יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget
Qal
bear, bring forth
less often beget
of both parents
Niph. be born
Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
Pu. be born
Hiph.
beget (a father a child)
bear
Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday
Hithp. declared their pedigree
base
H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth
. less often beget
. of both parents
. be born
. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife
. be born
. . beget (a father a child)
. bear
. day of one's being born = birthday
. declared their pedigree
3205 yalad yaw-lad'
a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;
medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show
lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring
forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be
delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,
labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be
the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).
יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.
1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bear, bring forth
1a1a) of child birth
1a1b) of distress (simile)
1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)
1a2) to beget
1b) (Niphal) to be born
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to cause or help to bring forth
1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife
1c3) midwife (participle)
1d) (Pual) to be born
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to beget (a child)
1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)
1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)
1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine pluralHc/Vqw3fp
bor: According to the Book of the Covenant (Ex 20:20-23:33) a slave whom his master had purchased was to be released after six years. Should he choose to remain in his master's service a religious ceremony was necessary to ratify his decision. "Then his master shall bring him unto God" (better than "unto the judges" of the King James Version), "and shall bring him to the door, or unto the doorpost; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl" (Ex 21:6). It is highly improbable that "unto God" means "to a sanctuary"; for there was no special reason for performing this ceremony near the door of a sanctuary. On the other hand the entrance to a private house was a sacred spot. According to primitive thinking near the door dwelt the household gods whose function it was to…
צֹאן (tso'n) refers to small cattle, specifically sheep and goats, and is used to denote a flock or flocks. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a multitude. The term appears in contexts such as Psalm 144:13, where it emphasizes the collective nature of these animals.
צֹאן 273 n.coll.f. small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
base
H6629 צֹאן small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
6629 tso'n tsone
or tsaown (Psalm 144:13) {tseh-one'}; from an unused root
meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or
goats); also figuratively (of men):--(small) cattle, flock
(+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep((-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds)).
צֹאן (tson) — flock.
1) small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
1a) small cattle (usually of sheep and goats)
1b) of multitude (simile)
1c) of multitude (metaphor)
צֹאן (tson) — Sheep (Gate).
This name means sheep and goats
Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common both singular absoluteHTd/Ncbsa
See CATTLE.
עָקֹד (aqod) means 'striped' or 'streaked.' It is derived from the root word represented by Strong's H6123. The entries consistently describe it as having stripes or bands.
עָקֹד adj. striped, streaked
base
H6124 עָקֹד striped, streaked
6124 `aqod aw-kode'
from 6123; striped (with bands):--ring straked.
see HEBREW for 06123
עָקֹד (a.qod) — striped.
streaked, striped
Adj — AdjHAampa
The Hebrew word נָקֹד (*naqod*) means 'speckled' and specifically refers to sheep and goats. It is derived from an unused root that implies marking by puncturing or branding. The entries consistently emphasize its application to livestock.
נָקֹד adj. speckled;—only sheep and goats
base
H5348 נָקֹד speckled;—only sheep and goats
5348 naqod naw-kode'
from an unused root meaning to mark (by puncturing or
branding); spotted:--speckled.
נָקֹד (na.qod) — speckled.
1) speckled, marked with points
1a) of sheep and goats
Adj — AdjHAampa
טָלָא (tala') means to patch or spot, often referring to variegated or spotted patterns, particularly in sheep and goats. It can also describe colorful shrines or patched sandals. The word is built from a primitive root implying coverage with pieces, highlighting its connection to diversity in color and pattern.
[טָלָא] vb. patch, spot
Qal chiefly of spotted, variegated sheep and goats; of high places, variegated (gaily-coloured shrines)
Pu. patched, of sandals
base
H2921 [טָלָא] patch, spot
2921 tala' taw-law'
a primitive root; properly, to cover with pieces; i.e. (by
implication) to spot or variegate (as tapestry):--clouted,
with divers colours, spotted.
טָלָא (ta.la) — to spot.
1) to patch, spot, be spotted, be coloured
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to spot
1a2) spotted (participle)
1b) (Pual) to be patched
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-c — Conjunction · verb qal participle (passive) masculine pluralHC/Vqsmpa
