Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 spotted offspring. 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 mated and 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. Majority Standard Bible they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or 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. World English Bible The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 1917And 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 forth young speckled, and streaked and spotted with ash-coloured spots. 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.… 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 given them 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 YoungJump to Next 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 YoungGenesis 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. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe 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 ProvisionDespite 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.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 theyהַצֹּ֖אן (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 NIVGenesis 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. 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