Jacob's Breeding Strategy
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Jacob's breeding strategy is a fascinating account found in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 30:25-43. This narrative details how Jacob, the patriarch, employed a unique method to increase his wealth through the multiplication of his livestock while serving his father-in-law, Laban.

Context and Background

Jacob had served Laban for many years, initially working to marry Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel. After fulfilling his obligations, Jacob sought to return to his homeland. However, Laban, recognizing the blessings Jacob's presence brought to his household, persuaded him to stay by offering him wages in the form of livestock.

The Agreement

Jacob proposed an agreement with Laban: "Let me pass through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb, and every spotted or speckled goat. These will be my wages" (Genesis 30:32). Laban agreed, seeing this as a favorable deal since such animals were less common.

The Breeding Strategy

Jacob's strategy involved a combination of selective breeding and what appears to be a form of sympathetic magic or early genetic understanding. He took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled them to expose the white inner wood, placing these rods in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. The narrative suggests that when the stronger animals mated in front of the rods, they bore young that were streaked, speckled, or spotted (Genesis 30:37-39).

Divine Favor and Natural Observation

While the method Jacob used might seem superstitious or primitive by modern standards, it is essential to recognize the underlying belief in divine providence. Jacob himself later attributes his success to God's intervention, saying to Laban, "God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me" (Genesis 31:9). This acknowledgment of divine favor is consistent with the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and blessing upon the patriarchs.

Additionally, some scholars suggest that Jacob's actions might reflect an astute observation of animal behavior and genetics. By ensuring that the stronger animals mated in front of the rods, Jacob could have been selectively breeding for desired traits, albeit in a manner not fully understood at the time.

Outcome

Jacob's strategy proved successful, and he became exceedingly prosperous, with large flocks, servants, camels, and donkeys (Genesis 30:43). This increase in wealth set the stage for his eventual departure from Laban and return to Canaan, fulfilling God's promise to bless and multiply him.

Theological Implications

Jacob's breeding strategy underscores several theological themes prevalent in the Genesis narrative. It highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs, the importance of wisdom and discernment in human endeavors, and the mysterious interplay between divine providence and human action. Jacob's experience serves as a testament to the belief that God works through ordinary means and human ingenuity to accomplish His purposes.
Subtopics

Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jacob

Jacob

Jacob: 40 Days Mourning For

Jacob: Ancestor of Jesus

Jacob: Body of, Embalmed

Jacob: Burial of

Jacob: Changed to "Israel"

Jacob: Charges his Sons to Bury Him in the Field of Machpelah

Jacob: Death of

Jacob: Deborah, Rebekah's Nurse, Dies, and is Buried at Beth-El

Jacob: Descendants of

Jacob: Dissatisfied With Laban's Treatment and Returns to the Land of Canaan

Jacob: Dreads to Meet Esau; Sends Him Presents; Wrestles With an Angel

Jacob: Erects a Monument at Rachel's Grave

Jacob: Esau Seeks to Kill, Escapes to Padan-Aram

Jacob: Exacts a Promise from Joseph to Bury Him With his Forefathers

Jacob: Fradulently Obtains his Father's Blessing

Jacob: Given in Answer to Prayer

Jacob: Gives the Land of the Amorites to Joseph

Jacob: God Confirms the Covenant of Abraham To

Jacob: Hears That Joseph is Still Alive

Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons

Jacob: His Daughter, Dinah, is Raped

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Asher

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Benjamin

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Dan

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Gad

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Issachar

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Joseph

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Judah

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Naphtali

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Simeon and Levi

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Upon Reuben

Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Zebulun

Jacob: His Grief Over the Detention of Simeon and the Demand for Benjamin to be Taken Into Egypt

Jacob: His Grief Over the Loss of Joseph

Jacob: His Love for Benjamin

Jacob: His Partiality for his Son, Joseph, and the Consequent Jealousy of his Other Sons

Jacob: His Vision of the Ladder

Jacob: His Wealth

Jacob: Joseph's Prophetic Dream Concerning

Jacob: Journeys to Ephrath

Jacob: Journeys to Shalem, where he Purchase a Parcel of Ground from Hamor and Erects an Altar

Jacob: Journeys to Succoth

Jacob: List of the Names of his Twelve Sons

Jacob: Lives in Egypt for Seventeen Years

Jacob: Lives in the Land of Canaan

Jacob: Meets Angels of God on the Journey, and Calls the Place "Mahanaim"

Jacob: Meets Joseph

Jacob: Moves to Egypt

Jacob: Obtains Esau's Birthright for Just One Bowl of Stew

Jacob: Pharaoh Receives Him, and is Blessed by Jacob

Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants

Jacob: Reconciliation of, With Esau

Jacob: Returns to Arbah, the City of his Father

Jacob: Returns to Beth-El, where he Builds an Altar, and Erects and Dedicates a Pillar

Jacob: Sends to Egypt to Buy Corn (Grain)

Jacob: Serves Fourteen Years for Leah and Rachel

Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban

Jacob: Sojourns in Haran With his Uncle, Laban

Jacob: Son of Isaac, and the Twin Brother of Esau

Jacob: The Incest of his Son, Reuben, With his Concubine, Bilhah

Jacob: The Land of Goshen Assigned To

Jacob: The List of his Children and Grandchildren Who Went Down Into Egypt

Jacob: The Well of

Jacobs Well

Miscegenation: Jacob

Related Terms

Miscarry (4 Occurrences)

Unproductive (5 Occurrences)

Jehovah-what (1 Occurrence)

Wholesome (10 Occurrences)

Wombs (3 Occurrences)

Miscarriage (4 Occurrences)

Mischance (1 Occurrence)

Barren (44 Occurrences)

Barrenness (3 Occurrences)

Purified (44 Occurrences)

Breasts (39 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Spring (122 Occurrences)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Womb (84 Occurrences)

Henceforth (68 Occurrences)

Healed (106 Occurrences)

Jacob's Blessing of Pharaoh
Top of Page
Top of Page