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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 30:42 But if the animals were weak, he did not set out the branches. So the weaker animals went to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/30-42.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/01_Gen_30_42.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 30:42 - Jacob Prospers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But if the animals were weak, he did not set out the branches. So the weaker animals went to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/30-42.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/30-42.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/30.htm">Chapter 30</a> > Verse 42</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/30-41.htm" title="Genesis 30:41">◄</a> Genesis 30:42 <a href="/genesis/30-43.htm" title="Genesis 30:43">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/30.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />but if the animals were weak, he would not place them there. So the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/30.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But he didn’t do this with the weaker ones, so the weaker lambs belonged to Laban, and the stronger ones were Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/30.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />but for the feebler of the flock he would not lay them there. So the feebler would be Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if the animals were weak, he did not set out the branches. So the weaker animals went to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/30.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But when the cattle were feeble, he put <i>them</i> not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/30.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put <i>them</i> in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />but when the flock was sickly, he did not put <i>them</i> in; so the sickly were Laban’s, and the stronger <i>were</i> Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />but when the flock was feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban&#8217s and the stronger Jacob&#8217s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />but when the flock was feeble, he did not put <i>them</i> in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />but when the flock was feeble, he did not put <i>them</i> in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />but when the flock was sickly, he did not put <i>the branches</i> there; so the sicker [animals] were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for the weaklings of the flocks, he did not put out the branches. So it turned out that the weak sheep belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for the weaklings of the flocks, he did not put out the branches. So it turned out that the weak sheep belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/30.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />but when the flock were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But he would not put out the branches when the weaker animals were mating. So Jacob got all of the healthy animals, and Laban got what was left. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/30.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />but when the flock were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But when the flocks in heat were weak, he didn't lay down the branches. So the weaker ones belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/30.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But he did not put the branches in front of the weak animals. Soon Laban had all the weak animals, and Jacob all the healthy ones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/30.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But he didn't put the branches in front of any of the feeble members of the flock. As a result, the feeble ones belonged to Laban, but the stronger ones belonged to Jacob. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if the animals were weak, he did not set out the branches. So the weaker animals went to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/30.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But if the animals were weaker, he did not set the branches there. So the weaker animals ended up belonging to Laban and the stronger animals to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />but for the weaker of the flock, he did not put them there. So the weaker would be Laban?s, and the stronger Jacob?s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/30.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />but when the flock were feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and when the flock is feeble, he does not set [them]; and the feeble ones have been Laban’s, and the strong ones Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and when the flock is feeble, he doth not set them; and the feeble ones have been Laban's, and the strong ones Jacob's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And in the sheep being feeble, he will not put in: and those being feeble, were to Laban, and those being strong, to Jacob.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But when the latter coming was, and the last conceiving, he did not put them. And those that were late ward, become Laban's: and they of the first time, Jacob's. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet when the late arrivals and the last to conceive were let in, he did not place these. And so those that arrived late became Laban’s, and those that arrived first became Jacob’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/30.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />but with the weaker animals he would not put the shoots there. So the feeble animals would go to Laban, but the hardy ones to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />but for the feebler of the flock he did not lay them there; so the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But when the sheep were feeble, he did not put the rods in; so the feebler were Laban's and the stronger Jacob's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And among the late breeders of the flock he was not laying it down, and the late breeders were for Laban and the early for Yaquuv.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />but when the flock were feeble, he put them not in; so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But he did not put them in <i>indiscriminately</i> whenever the cattle happened to bring forth, but the unmarked ones were Laban's, and the marked ones were Jacob's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/30-42.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7535" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/30.htm">Jacob Prospers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">41</span>Whenever the stronger females of the flock were in heat, Jacob would place the branches in the troughs, in full view of the animals, so that they would breed in front of the branches. <span class="reftext">42</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: haṣ·ṣōn (Art:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">But if the animals</a> <a href="/hebrew/5848.htm" title="5848: ū·ḇə·ha·‘ă·ṭîp̄ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To shroud, clothe, to languish. A primitive root; to shroud, i.e. Clothe; hence to languish.">were weak,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">he did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: yā·śîm (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">set out the branches.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5848.htm" title="5848: hā·‘ă·ṭu·p̄îm (Art:: N-mp) -- To shroud, clothe, to languish. A primitive root; to shroud, i.e. Clothe; hence to languish.">So the weaker animals</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">went to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3837.htm" title="3837: lə·lā·ḇān (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob. The same as laban; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert.">Laban</a> <a href="/hebrew/7194.htm" title="7194: wə·haq·qə·šu·rîm (Conj-w, Art:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To bind, league together, conspire. A primitive root: to tie, physically or mentally.">and the stronger ones</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">to Jacob.</a> </span><span class="reftext">43</span>Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-9.htm">Genesis 31:9</a></span><br />Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-12.htm">Genesis 31:12</a></span><br />‘Look up,’ he said, ‘and see that all the males that are mating with the flock are streaked, spotted, or speckled; for I have seen all that Laban has done to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41-42</a></span><br />Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times! / If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-10.htm">Genesis 32:10</a></span><br />I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13-15</a></span><br />And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-36.htm">Exodus 12:36</a></span><br />And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-21.htm">Exodus 3:21</a></span><br />And I will grant this people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-18.htm">Deuteronomy 8:18</a></span><br />But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-4.htm">Deuteronomy 28:4</a></span><br />The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Psalm 127:3</a></span><br />Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-22.htm">Proverbs 10:22</a></span><br />The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-5.htm">Isaiah 60:5</a></span><br />Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Jeremiah 29:11</a></span><br />For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a></span><br />But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-10.htm">Luke 16:10</a></span><br />Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/29-7.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/genesis/30-41.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">Feeble</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-16.htm">Feebler</a> <a href="/genesis/30-41.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/30-40.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/30-41.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/30-2.htm">Jacob's</a> <a href="/genesis/30-36.htm">Laban's</a> <a href="/genesis/30-41.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/genesis/30-35.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/genesis/30-41.htm">Sticks</a> <a href="/genesis/27-37.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/genesis/30-41.htm">Stronger</a> <a href="/genesis/29-17.htm">Weak</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/31-39.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/genesis/30-43.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Feeble</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-16.htm">Feebler</a> <a href="/genesis/31-4.htm">Flock</a> <a href="/genesis/30-43.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/30-43.htm">Jacob's</a> <a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Laban's</a> <a href="/genesis/31-8.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/exodus/12-11.htm">Sticks</a> <a href="/genesis/33-11.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/exodus/1-9.htm">Stronger</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-6.htm">Weak</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 30</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-5.htm">Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-14.htm">Reuben finds mandrakes, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-15.htm">with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-17.htm">Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Rachel bears Joseph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-25.htm">Jacob desires to depart.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-27.htm">Laban detains him on a new agreement.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/30-37.htm">Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/30.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/30.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But if the animals were weak, he did not set out the branches.</b><br>This phrase highlights Jacob's strategic approach to breeding his flocks. In the context of <a href="/genesis/30.htm">Genesis 30</a>, Jacob is using selective breeding techniques to increase his own wealth while working for Laban. The "branches" refer to the peeled rods Jacob placed in the watering troughs, which he believed influenced the animals' breeding outcomes. This practice reflects ancient beliefs about sympathetic magic, where visual stimuli were thought to affect physical outcomes. Jacob's decision not to use the branches with weaker animals suggests a deliberate effort to ensure that only the strongest animals would reproduce, thereby enhancing the quality of his own flocks.<p><b>So the weaker animals went to Laban</b><br>This part of the verse indicates the outcome of Jacob's breeding strategy. By not using the branches with weaker animals, Jacob ensured that these animals remained with Laban. This reflects the ongoing tension and competition between Jacob and Laban, as Jacob sought to build his own wealth and independence. The division of the flocks symbolizes the broader theme of God's providence and blessing upon Jacob, despite the challenges and deceit he faced from Laban. This also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God favoring the younger or less likely candidate, as seen in the stories of Abel, Isaac, and Joseph.<p><b>and the stronger ones to Jacob.</b><br>The stronger animals being attributed to Jacob signifies the success of his strategy and God's blessing upon him. This outcome is consistent with the biblical theme of God prospering those He chooses, often in unexpected ways. Jacob's increasing wealth and strength in livestock foreshadow his eventual return to Canaan as a prosperous patriarch. This also prefigures the nation of Israel's growth and strength, as Jacob's descendants become the twelve tribes. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, where the seemingly weaker or less likely path leads to ultimate strength and fulfillment of God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and husband to Leah and Rachel. He is a central figure in this passage, employing a strategy to increase his wealth.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, who had a complex and often contentious relationship with Jacob. Laban's flocks are the subject of Jacob's breeding strategy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/paddan-aram.htm">Paddan-aram</a></b><br>The region where Laban lived and where Jacob spent many years working for him. It is significant as the setting for Jacob's family and economic developments.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_flocks.htm">The Flocks</a></b><br>The animals that Jacob tended for Laban, which became a source of wealth and contention between the two men.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_branches.htm">The Branches</a></b><br>Jacob used peeled branches as part of a selective breeding technique to influence the outcome of the flocks' offspring.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_providence_and_human_effort.htm">Divine Providence and Human Effort</a></b><br>Jacob's actions demonstrate a blend of human ingenuity and divine blessing. While he employed a strategy, it was ultimately God who ensured his success. Believers are encouraged to work diligently while trusting in God's provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_relationships.htm">Integrity in Relationships</a></b><br>The relationship between Jacob and Laban was fraught with deception and manipulation. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of integrity and honesty in our dealings with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite the challenges Jacob faced, God remained faithful to His promises. This encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem unfavorable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wise_stewardship.htm">Wise Stewardship</a></b><br>Jacob's management of the flocks shows the importance of wise stewardship of resources. Believers are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to them.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 30</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_joel's_army.htm">Did Jacob agree to keep only speckled and spotted sheep?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_peeled_branches_affect_offspring.htm">In Genesis 30:37-39, does the idea that peeled branches can influence an animal's offspring have any support in modern biology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_jacob's_plan_yield_spotted_livestock.htm">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?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jacob's_dream_affect_flock_genetics.htm">In Genesis 31:10-12, how could Jacob's dream and the striped rods realistically influence the genetics of the flocks?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 42.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But when the cattle were feeble</span>, - literally, <span class="accented">in the covering</span> (sc. with wool; hence weakening) <span class="accented">of the flock</span>, which took place in autumn - <span class="cmt_word">he put them not in</span> (partly to prevent the introduction of feeble animals amongst his parti-colored flocks, but partly also, it is thought, to avoid prematurely exciting Laban's suspicion): <span class="cmt_word">so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/30-42.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But if the animals</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצֹּ֖אן</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were weak,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְהַעֲטִ֥יף</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·ha·‘ă·ṭîp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5848.htm">Strong's 5848: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shroud, clothe, to languish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he did not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">set out the branches.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָשִׂ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·śîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So the weaker animals</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעֲטֻפִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ă·ṭu·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5848.htm">Strong's 5848: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shroud, clothe, to languish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went to</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Laban</span><br /><span class="heb">לְלָבָ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·lā·ḇān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3837.htm">Strong's 3837: </a> </span><span class="str2">Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the stronger ones</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַקְּשֻׁרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·haq·qə·šu·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7194.htm">Strong's 7194: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, league</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Jacob.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְיַעֲקֹֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/30-42.htm">Genesis 30:42 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/30-42.htm">OT Law: Genesis 30:42 But when the flock were feeble he (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/30-41.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 30:41"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:41" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/30-43.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 30:43"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 30:43" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>