King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Ya'akov divided the lambs and had the animals mate with the streaked and the brown in the flock of Lavan. He also kept his own livestock separate and did not have them mix with Lavan's flock.
Berean Standard Bible:
Jacob 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.
American Standard Version:
And Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstreaked and all the black in the flock of Laban: and he put his own droves apart, and put them not unto Laban’s flock.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Jacob{H3290} did separate{H6504} the lambs{H3775}, and set{H5414} the faces{H6440} of the flocks{H6629} toward{H413} the ringstraked{H6124}, and all the brown{H2345} in the flock{H6629} of Laban{H3837}; and he put{H7896} his own flocks{H5739} by themselves, and put{H7896} them not unto Laban's{H3837} cattle{H6629}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Genesis 30:40
1. Themes:
- Divine Providence: The verse reflects the theme of divine providence, as Jacob's strategy for breeding seemingly receives heavenly blessing and leads to his prosperity.
- Blessing and Increase: It illustrates the theme of God's blessing manifesting as material increase and success, particularly for those who are faithful.
- Family Dynamics and Conflict: The verse is part of the larger narrative of Jacob's complex relationship with his father-in-law, Laban, highlighting themes of family dynamics, deception, and conflict.
- Economic Survival: The actions of Jacob show the importance of economic survival and the use of wisdom and possibly folk beliefs to achieve success in challenging circumstances.
2. Historical Context:
- The Patriarchal Era: Genesis 30:40 is set within the patriarchal era, a time when the ancestors of the Israelite people were establishing their families and fortunes in the land of Canaan and surrounding areas.
- Jacob's Service to Laban: Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, had fled to Haran to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. There, he married Leah and Rachel, the daughters of Laban, and agreed to work for Laban in exchange for his daughters' hands in marriage.
- Breeding Techniques: The verse describes Jacob's use of selective breeding techniques, which may have been based on contemporary beliefs that visual exposure to certain patterns could influence the offspring of livestock. This reflects the agricultural and pastoral lifestyle common in the ancient Near East.
- Jacob's Wealth: This period was marked by Jacob's increasing wealth and large family, which set the stage for his eventual return to Canaan and reconciliation with Esau.
In summary, Genesis 30:40 is part of the narrative that depicts Jacob's shrewdness and God's blessing in his life, as he navigates complex family relationships and seeks to establish his own household's prosperity within the context of the patriarchal era's economic and social norms.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3290
There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob. - Strong's Number: H6504
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַד
Transliteration: pârad
Pronunciation: paw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself); disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter (abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder. - Strong's Number: H3775
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֶּשֶׂב
Transliteration: keseb
Pronunciation: keh'-seb
Description: apparently by transposition for כֶּבֶשׂ; a young sheep; lamb. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H6629
There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֹאן
Transliteration: tsôʼn
Pronunciation: tsone
Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). - Strong's Number: H413
There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵל
Transliteration: ʼêl
Pronunciation: ale
Description: (but only used in the shortened constructive form אֶל ); a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e.; near, with or among; often in general, to; about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). - Strong's Number: H6124
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָקֹד
Transliteration: ʻâqôd
Pronunciation: aw-kode'
Description: from עָקַד; striped (with bands); ring straked. - Strong's Number: H2345
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוּם
Transliteration: chûwm
Pronunciation: khoom
Description: from an unused root meaning to be warm, i.e. (by implication); sunburnt or swarthy (blackish); brown. - Strong's Number: H3837
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָבָן
Transliteration: Lâbân
Pronunciation: law-bawn'
Description: the same as לָבָן; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert; Laban. - Strong's Number: H7896
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁית
Transliteration: shîyth
Pronunciation: sheeth
Description: a primitive root; to place (in a very wide application); apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take. - Strong's Number: H5739
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵדֶר
Transliteration: ʻêder
Pronunciation: ay'-der
Description: from עֲדַר; an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals); drove, flock, herd.