In the context of the Bible, "streaks" primarily appear in the narrative concerning Jacob and his dealings with Laban, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. The term is associated with the breeding practices Jacob employed to increase his flocks, which is a significant event in the patriarchal narratives.

Biblical Account:

The primary reference to streaks is found in Genesis 30:25-43. After serving Laban for many years, Jacob seeks to establish his own household. He proposes a deal with Laban to separate the flocks based on their appearance: "Let me pass through your entire flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted sheep, and every dark-colored lamb, and the spotted and speckled goats. These shall be my wages" (Genesis 30:32).

Jacob employs an unusual method to ensure that the stronger animals bore streaked, speckled, and spotted offspring. He places peeled branches in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, which was believed to influence the appearance of the offspring: "Then Jacob took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches" (Genesis 30:37). This practice resulted in a significant increase in the number of streaked and speckled animals, which became Jacob's property.

Theological Implications:

The account of Jacob's use of streaks in breeding his flocks is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's providence and blessing upon Jacob. Despite the seemingly superstitious nature of the method, the outcome is attributed to divine intervention rather than mere human ingenuity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant promises, as Jacob prospers despite Laban's attempts to deceive him.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, livestock was a primary measure of wealth and prosperity. The narrative of Jacob's flocks underscores the importance of animal husbandry in the patriarchal period. The use of streaks and other markings to distinguish animals was a common practice, and the account highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness required in managing and increasing one's wealth.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

The streaks in Jacob's flocks can also be seen as symbolic of the distinctiveness and separation of God's chosen people. Just as the streaked and speckled animals were set apart for Jacob, so too are the descendants of Abraham set apart for God's purposes. This theme of separation and divine selection runs throughout the biblical narrative, emphasizing the unique identity and mission of God's people.

Conclusion:

The account of streaks in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's providential care and the fulfillment of His promises. It illustrates the interplay between human effort and divine blessing, a recurring theme in the lives of the patriarchs. Through the account of Jacob and the streaked flocks, the Bible conveys lessons on faith, resourcefulness, and the assurance of God's faithfulness to His covenant people.

Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... As God's revelation to man has been progressive, first just a few faint streaks
of light that usher in the dawn, then broad daylight and sunrise, and finally ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm

Book Eleven the Eternal Creator and the Creation in Time. ...
... long time been burning with the desire to meditate on thy law, and to confess in
thy presence my knowledge and ignorance of it"from the first streaks of thy ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book eleven the eternal creator.htm

Back to Memphis
... in the north. About it were scintillating clusters, single stars and faint
streaks of never-dissipated mists. Night after night ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxiii back to memphis.htm

The Hermit and the Boy
... Then the Orontes, far beneath his feet, began to gleam out here and there in streaks
of silver under the rich foliage of its banks, and he saw the grove of ...
/.../chapter v the hermit and.htm

Be for Thou Art'
... as the drops and ripples in its course"it eddies round the foot of the rocks to
which the old man looks up, and sees the same dints and streaks and fissures ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/be for thou art.htm

An Obstinate Roman.
... Calvary: Victory An Obstinate Roman. And now the impatient leaders detect the
first streaks of gray coming up in the east. The national ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/an obstinate roman.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... in the delicious cool of early autumn, when all harvest-operations, the gathering
in of luscious fruit and the vintage were past, and the first streaks of gold ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

The Redemption of Nature
... Just guessing, through their murky blind,. "Few, faint, and baffling sight". Streaks
of a brighter heaven behind,. A cloudless depth of light. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cclxxiii the redemption of nature.htm

Youth and the Spring-Time.
... 2 Sweet is the dawn of day, When light just streaks the sky; When shades and darkness
pass away, And morning's beams are nigh: But sweeter far the dawn Of ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/745 youth and the.htm

Nanny was not Fit to be Moved for Some Time Yet...
... And there was the great red sunset, with streaks of green and gold between, standing
looking at me. Why couldn'tI live in the sunset instead of in that dirt? ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 30 nanny was not.htm

Streaks (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Streaks (2 Occurrences). Genesis 30:37 Jacob took
to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, plane tree, peeled ...
/s/streaks.htm - 7k

Almond (7 Occurrences)
... almond is referred to Genesis 30:37, where "Jacob took him rods of fresh poplar,
and of the almond (luz) and of the plane-tree; and peeled white streaks in them ...
/a/almond.htm - 14k

Green (72 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chestnut
tree; and pilled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which ...
/g/green.htm - 31k

Hollow (35 Occurrences)
... 14:37, "the walls of the house with hollow strakes," so the English Revised Version,
the American Standard Revised Version "hollow streaks," depressions); of ...
/h/hollow.htm - 20k

Streaked (6 Occurrences)

/s/streaked.htm - 8k

Appear (111 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, plane tree, peeled
white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. ...
/a/appear.htm - 39k

Lily (9 Occurrences)
... Cant. 2:1, 2; 2:16; 4:5; 5:13; 6:2, 3; 7:2). "Its flowers are large, and
they are of a white colour, with streaks of pink. They ...
/l/lily.htm - 15k

Greenish (2 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:37 He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the
walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to ...
/g/greenish.htm - 7k

Walls (152 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:37 He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the
walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to ...
/w/walls.htm - 38k

Inner (141 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, plane tree, peeled
white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. ...
/i/inner.htm - 37k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus