Movatterモバイル変換

◄ Genesis 30:39►

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

New Living Translation
And when they mated in front of the white-streaked branches, they gave birth to young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted.

English Standard Version
the flocks bred in front of the sticks and so the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted.

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

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

New King James Version
So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.

New American Standard Bible
So the flocks mated by the rods, and the flocks delivered striped, speckled, and spottedoffspring.

NASB 1995
So the flocks mated by the rods, and the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted.

NASB 1977
So the flocks mated by the rods, and the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the flocks mated by the rods, and the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted.

Amplified Bible
So the flocks matedand conceived by the branches, and the flocks gave birth to streaked, speckled, and spotted offspring.

Christian Standard Bible
The flocks bred in front of the branches and bore streaked, speckled, and spotted young.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The flocks bred in front of the branches and bore streaked, speckled, and spotted young.

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

Contemporary English Version
in front of the branches, and their young were spotted and speckled.

English Revised Version
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
they mated in front of the branches. Then they gave birth to young that were striped, speckled, or spotted.

Good News Translation
So when the goats bred in front of the branches, they produced young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted.

International Standard Version
When the flocks mated in front of the branches, they would bear offspring that were striped, speckled, or spotted.

NET Bible
When the sheep mated in front of the branches, they gave birth to young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.

New Heart English Bible
the flocks bred in front of the branches, and the flocks brought bore streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Majority Text Translations

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

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

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the flocks conceive at the rods, and the flock bears striped, speckled, and spotted ones.

Young's Literal Translation
and the flocks conceive at the rods, and the flock beareth ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted ones.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sheep shall conceive at the rods, and shall bring forth sheep banded and speckled and patched.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it happened that, in the very heat of joining together, the sheep looked upon the branches, and they bore the blemished and the variegated, those speckled with diverse color.

New American Bible
the goats mated by the shoots, and so they gave birth to streaked, speckled and spotted young.

New Revised Standard Version
the flocks bred in front of the rods, and so the flocks produced young that were striped, speckled, and spotted.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth lambs that were speckled and spotted.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the flock conceived lambs before the rods and the flock gave birth to white spotted forehead and spotted.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the flocks conceived at the sight of the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So the cattle conceived at the rods, and the cattle brought forthyoung speckled, and streaked and spotted with ash-colouredspots.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

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.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Genesis 31:9-12
Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me. / When the flocks were breeding, I saw in a dream that the streaked, spotted, and speckled males were mating with the females. / In that dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Here I am.’ ...

Genesis 31:7-8
And although he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, God has not allowed him to harm me. / If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore speckled offspring. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore streaked offspring.

Exodus 12:38
And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.

Leviticus 19:19
You are to keep My statutes. You shall not crossbreed two different kinds of livestock; you shall not sow your fields with two kinds of seed; and you shall not wear clothing made of two kinds of material.

Deuteronomy 22:9
Do not plant your vineyard with two types of seed; if you do, the entire harvest will be defiled—both the crop you plant and the fruit of your vineyard.

Deuteronomy 22:10
Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.

Deuteronomy 22:11
Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.

1 Kings 3:14
So if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, just as your father David did, I will prolong your days.”

1 Kings 4:33
He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.

Ezekiel 34:17
This is what the Lord GOD says to you, My flock: ‘I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the goats.

Ezekiel 34:18
Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

Ezekiel 34:19
Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’

Ezekiel 34:20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says to them: ‘Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.

Ezekiel 34:21
Since you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak ones with your horns until you have scattered them abroad,

Ezekiel 34:22
I will save My flock, and they will no longer be prey. I will judge between one sheep and another.

Treasury of Scripture

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

brought forth.

Genesis 31:9-12,38,40,42
Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and giventhem to me…

Exodus 12:35,36
And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: …

Jump to Previous

Bands Beareth Birth Bore Branches Bred Cattle Colour Conceive Conceived Flock Flocks Forth Front Marked Mated Ones Ring-Straked Ringstreaked Ring-Streaked Rods Sight Speckled Spotted Streaked Striped Young

Jump to Next

Genesis 30

1.Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.
5.Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.
9.Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.
14.Reuben finds mandrakes,
15.with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.
17.Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.
22.Rachel bears Joseph.
25.Jacob desires to depart.
27.Laban detains him on a new agreement.
37.Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

they mated in front of the branches
In this passage, Jacob employs a unique breeding strategy involving peeled branches. This method reflects ancient Near Eastern practices and beliefs about sympathetic magic, where visual stimuli were thought to influence physical outcomes. Jacob's actions are not explicitly endorsed by God, but they demonstrate his resourcefulness and determination to prosper despite Laban's deceit. This event occurs in the region of Paddan Aram, where Jacob had fled to escape Esau's wrath and where he worked for Laban. The use of branches may symbolize human effort and ingenuity, contrasting with divine intervention seen elsewhere in Jacob's life, such as his dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:12-15).

And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted
The outcome of Jacob's breeding strategy resulted in livestock that were streaked, speckled, or spotted, which were the types of animals he had agreed to take as his wages from Laban. This result can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to bless Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15). The increase in Jacob's flocks signifies God's providence and faithfulness, despite human manipulation. This event foreshadows the future prosperity of Israel, as Jacob's descendants would become a great nation. The diversity in the animals' appearance can also be seen as a metaphor for the diversity and growth of God's people.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Jacob
The grandson of Abraham, Jacob is the central figure in this passage. He is working for his father-in-law, Laban, and is using a unique method to increase his own wealth through the breeding of livestock.

2.Laban
Jacob's father-in-law, who has agreed to allow Jacob to keep the streaked, speckled, and spotted livestock as his wages. Laban is known for his cunning and deceitful nature.

3.Flocks
The livestock that Jacob is tending. They are central to the account as Jacob uses them to increase his wealth.

4.Branches
Jacob uses peeled branches placed in the watering troughs to influence the breeding of the flocks, resulting in offspring that are streaked, speckled, and spotted.

5.Paddan Aram
The region where Jacob is living and working for Laban. It is significant as the place where Jacob's family grows and his wealth increases.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Provision
Despite human schemes and efforts, it is ultimately God who provides and blesses. Jacob's success is attributed to God's intervention, reminding us to trust in God's provision.

Integrity in Work
Jacob's method, while unusual, was not deceitful. It highlights the importance of integrity and hard work in our own vocations.

Faith in God's Promises
Jacob's account is a testament to the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises. We are encouraged to hold onto God's promises in our own lives.

Wisdom and Innovation
Jacob's strategy with the flocks shows the value of wisdom and innovation. We should seek God's guidance in finding creative solutions to challenges.

God's Blessing Amidst Adversity
Even when faced with adversity and deceit, as Jacob was with Laban, God can turn situations around for our good and His glory.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Genesis 30:39?

2.How does Genesis 30:39 demonstrate God's provision in Jacob's life?

3.What role does faith play in Jacob's breeding strategy in Genesis 30:39?

4.How does Genesis 30:39 connect to God's promise to Abraham's descendants?

5.What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Jacob's actions in Genesis 30:39?

6.How can we apply Jacob's resourcefulness in Genesis 30:39 to our daily challenges?

7.How does Genesis 30:39 align with scientific understanding of genetics and animal breeding?

8.What is the theological significance of Jacob's breeding methods in Genesis 30:39?

9.Does Genesis 30:39 suggest divine intervention in Jacob's success with the flocks?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 30?

11.In Genesis 30:37-39, does the idea that peeled branches can influence an animal's offspring have any support in modern biology?

12.In Genesis 31:10-12, how could Jacob's dream and the striped rods realistically influence the genetics of the flocks?

13.In Genesis 30:32-36, how plausible is it for Jacob's selective breeding plan to produce spotted or speckled livestock solely through visual stimuli?

14.Did Jacob agree to keep only speckled and spotted sheep?

What Does Genesis 30:39 Mean

they mated

Genesis 30:39 opens with a simple statement of fact: “the flocks mated.” Jacob had separated the stronger animals and placed them at the watering troughs (Genesis 30:41–42), an act of careful oversight. The mating itself is ordinary, yet the verse reminds us that:

• God established and sustains the natural process of reproduction (Genesis 1:24–25).

• Fruitfulness is repeatedly portrayed in Scripture as a divine blessing (Genesis 28:3;Psalm 127:3).

Jacob’s action shows diligence; the result shows divine favor. “The LORD has blessed my master wherever he has turned” (Genesis 24:35)—a principle now evident in Jacob’s own life.

in front of the branches

Jacob had peeled poplar, almond, and plane branches, exposing white streaks, and set them in the watering channels (Genesis 30:37–38). By doing this “in front of” the animals, he acted on a specific insight later revealed to have come from God (Genesis 31:10–12).

• The physical setting underscores human responsibility to act on what God provides (Proverbs 16:3).

• Scripture records other instances where God employs physical means to accomplish spiritual purposes (Exodus 15:25;2 Kings 5:10–14).

Though the peeled sticks might appear superstitious,Genesis 31:9–12 clarifies that the outcome depended on God, not on any magical property in the branches.

and they bore young

The birth of offspring follows naturally from mating, yet Moses highlights that conception and birth are ultimately in God’s hands (Genesis 29:31;Psalm 113:9).

• Jacob’s selective breeding corresponds with prudent stewardship (Proverbs 27:23–27).

• God’s providential involvement turns ordinary husbandry into extraordinary increase (Genesis 31:7).

Thus, “they bore young” is more than biology; it is evidence of a covenant-keeping God ensuring Jacob’s promised prosperity (Genesis 28:13–15).

that were streaked or speckled or spotted

The specific patterns mattered because Jacob’s wages were any newborns with these markings (Genesis 30:32–33).

• God transferred Laban’s wealth to Jacob exactly as agreed (Genesis 31:9).

• The threefold description—streaked, speckled, spotted—emphasizes completeness, echoing how God delivers on His word in full measure (Ephesians 3:20).

The unusual coloration arose just when Jacob needed it most, demonstrating that the Lord “is able to make all grace abound” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

summary

Genesis 30:39 records a literal event in which ordinary animal breeding under Jacob’s careful management resulted in an extraordinary yield of patterned offspring. Jacob acted with diligence, using peeled branches as God had shown him, while God sovereignly ensured that the flocks conceived and bore young matching the wage agreement. The verse showcases the harmony of human responsibility and divine blessing, affirming that the Lord faithfully provides for His people according to His promises.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 39. -And the flocks conceived (ut supra)before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted. The fact is said to have been frequently observed that, particularly in the case of sheep, whatever fixes their attention in copulation is marked upon the young. That Jacob believed in the efficacy of the artifice he adopted is apparent; but the multiplication of Parti-colored animals it will be safer to ascribe to Divine blessing than to human craft.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

they
הַצֹּ֖אן(haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629:Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

mated
וַיֶּחֱמ֥וּ(way·ye·ḥĕ·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3179:To be hot, to conceive

in front of
אֶל־(’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to

the branches.
הַמַּקְל֑וֹת(ham·maq·lō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4731:A shoot, stick

And they bore
וַתֵּלַ֣דְןָ(wat·tê·laḏ·nā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

young [that were]
הַצֹּ֔אן(haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629:Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

streaked
עֲקֻדִּ֥ים(‘ă·qud·dîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6124:Striped, streaked

or speckled
נְקֻדִּ֖ים(nə·qud·dîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5348:Speckled

or spotted.
וּטְלֻאִֽים׃(ū·ṭə·lu·’îm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 2921:To cover with pieces, to spot, variegate

Links

Genesis 30:39 NIV
Genesis 30:39 NLT
Genesis 30:39 ESV
Genesis 30:39 NASB
Genesis 30:39 KJV

Genesis 30:39 BibleApps.com
Genesis 30:39 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 30:39 Chinese Bible
Genesis 30:39 French Bible
Genesis 30:39 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 30:39 The flocks conceived before the rods (Gen. Ge Gn)