Genesis 30 40

Genesis 30:40 kjv

And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ring-streaked, 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.

Genesis 30:40 nkjv

Then Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the streaked and all the brown in the flock of Laban; but he put his own flocks by themselves and did not put them with Laban's flock.

Genesis 30:40 niv

Jacob set apart the young of the flock by themselves, but made the rest face the streaked and dark-colored animals that belonged to Laban. Thus he made separate flocks for himself and did not put them with Laban's animals.

Genesis 30:40 esv

And Jacob separated the lambs and set the faces of the flocks toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban. He put his own droves apart and did not put them with Laban's flock.

Genesis 30:40 nlt

Jacob separated those lambs from Laban's flock. And at mating time he turned the flock to face Laban's animals that were streaked or black. This is how he built his own flock instead of increasing Laban's.

Genesis 30 verses

Genesis 30 40 meaning

Genesis 30:40 details Jacob's methodical strategy to increase his personal flock, distinct from Laban's. He meticulously separated and directed specific animals, particularly the stronger ones, from Laban's main herd, towards the ringstraked and brown stock he sought for himself, according to their earlier agreement. This action served to multiply his own genetically distinct and strong flocks, showcasing his ingenuity in animal husbandry, yet ultimately demonstrating God's sovereign hand in transferring wealth from Laban to Jacob.

Genesis 30 40 Context

Genesis chapter 30 details Jacob's growing family and increasing wealth while serving Laban. After Rachel’s prayer for children is answered (30:22-24), Jacob requests to leave Laban's service, having fulfilled his terms for marriage. Laban, recognizing God's blessing on his own household through Jacob (30:27), cunningly persuades Jacob to stay by offering new terms of wages based on the distinctive markings of the flock's offspring (30:31-33). Jacob agrees, specifically requesting "spotted, speckled, and streaked" among the goats and "dark" among the lambs. However, Laban immediately removes all existing such animals (30:35), attempting to nullify Jacob's potential gains. Undeterred, Jacob devises an intricate plan, utilizing peeled branches during mating season (30:37-39) to influence the markings of the offspring. This verse (30:40) then describes Jacob's active management and precise separation of the herds, solidifying his ownership and preventing Laban's interference, demonstrating his resourcefulness and ultimately, God's orchestration of his prosperity. The broader narrative underscores God's faithfulness to Jacob's covenant, even amidst human deceit and cunning.

Genesis 30 40 Word analysis

• And Jacob: The narrative continues Jacob's personal actions and their implications. Jacob's name (Ya'akov, יַעֲקֹב) signifies "supplanter" or "heel-grabber," reflecting his character in acquiring advantage, whether through cunning or by God's hand.
• did separate: (yiphrod, יַפְרִד) From the root paradh (פָּרַד), meaning "to divide," "to separate," "to distinguish." This indicates Jacob's deliberate, active, and decisive action of categorizing and setting apart animals, crucial for establishing distinct herds and fulfilling the agreement.
• the lambs: (kebāśîm, כְּבָשִׂים) Refers specifically to male sheep. Their breeding capacity is significant for flock multiplication. Jacob focused on the dark-colored lambs for his wages.
• and set the faces of: (wayyittēn pěnê, וַיִּתֵּן פְּנֵי) Lit. "and he gave the faces of." Implies Jacob physically directed or oriented the animals. It emphasizes his strategic manipulation and visual stimuli towards desired outcomes during mating. This detailed control points to Jacob's deep involvement and knowledge of animal husbandry, regardless of the underlying spiritual explanation.
• the flocks: (hatstso’n, הַצֹּאן) General term for sheep or goats. Refers to the main body of animals from which offspring were desired.
• toward the ringstraked: ('ăquddîm, עֲקֻדִּים) Meaning "banded," "striped," or "streaked." This was one of the specific markings agreed upon for Jacob's wages (Gen 30:32). Jacob focused on influencing the strong animals towards these patterns.
• and all the brown: (wəkhol-hehûm, וְכָל-הַחֽוּם) Meaning "dark," or "brown." This was the specific color for the lambs Jacob chose for his wages (Gen 30:32).
• in the flock of Laban: (bətso’n lābhān, בְּצֹאן לָבָן) Clearly defines that the animals being "faced" belonged to Laban's general herd, from which Jacob sought to extract his rightful portion of offspring.
• and he put his own flocks by themselves: (wayyāšet lô 'ădārîm ləbhaddô, וַיָּשֶׁת לוֹ עֲדָרִים לְבַדּוֹ) "He put aside for himself separate herds." This signifies Jacob's complete segregation of the animals that now legitimately belonged to him, or were anticipated to be his. The phrase "by themselves" ('ădārîm ləbhaddô) emphasizes exclusivity and independence from Laban’s control.
• and put them not unto Laban's cattle: (lō' śāmām 'im-tso’n lābhān, לֹא שָׂמָם עִם-צֹאן לָבָן) A strong negative command, reinforcing the absolute separation. This highlights Jacob's careful guarding of his earned wealth and preventing any mixing or re-absorption into Laban's property, underscoring the legal and economic division between them.

• "And Jacob did separate...and set the faces...": These phrases highlight Jacob's active and sophisticated approach to animal management, indicating his deliberate effort to fulfill the terms of the agreement and secure his increase. This suggests both human effort and a "magical" understanding of the breeding process, which is later explicitly clarified as divine intervention.
• "toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban": This phrase details the strategic object of Jacob's method. By directing Laban's stronger animals towards the 'ringstraked and brown' in the existing flocks (or the peeled branches), Jacob sought to influence the genetic outcome, thus ensuring offspring with his designated markings. This passage speaks to the detailed attention Jacob paid to securing his contractual due.
• "and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle": This powerful separation act signifies the creation of a distinct economic unit belonging entirely to Jacob. It's a physical manifestation of his claim to the animals and his burgeoning independence from Laban, safeguarding his divinely blessed prosperity from further deception or mingling with Laban's diminishing fortunes.

Genesis 30 40 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces an important principle: while Jacob employed shrewd (and perhaps superstitious) methods, the biblical narrative firmly attributes his prosperity not to these methods, but to God's direct intervention. This sets a precedent throughout the Bible that God blesses His people and fulfills His promises, often working through human endeavors, yet not being limited by their means. It shows God actively upholding justice against Laban's fraud (Gen 31:7, 41) and demonstrates His ability to provide and make His chosen ones distinct, fulfilling the covenant promise of multiplying Abraham's descendants (Gen 12:2; 22:17). The distinct "ringstraked and brown" animals became physical symbols of God's blessing and a visible marker of Jacob's separation and blessing as a new head of a burgeoning household.

Genesis 30 40 Commentary

Genesis 30:40 details the final, decisive step in Jacob's ingenious animal husbandry strategy aimed at increasing his flocks, a plan he initiated in response to Laban's repeated deceptions regarding his wages. While Jacob's method of using peeled branches and directing animal "faces" appears as sympathetic magic or an ancient form of animal breeding observation, the Bible's later explicit clarification in Gen 31:9-12 reveals that the extraordinary success was directly due to God's intervention and providence. This verse thus captures Jacob's diligent execution of his plan while foreshadowing God's ultimate blessing and transfer of wealth to Jacob as a recompense for Laban's unfairness. It underscores the clear distinction and growth of Jacob's possessions, signifying God's covenant faithfulness in making Jacob fruitful and establishing him despite manipulative human circumstances.