King James Version
What Does Genesis 30:41 Mean?
“And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.”
Context
39
And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
40
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.
41
And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
42
But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.
43
And the man increased exceedingly , and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(41, 42) **The stronger cattle . . .** **when the cattle were feeble.**—The words for “strong” and “feeble” are literally *bound *and *covered, *so that evidently we have technical terms, which Onkelos and the Syriac explain of the females at the two breeding seasons. The ewes in the spring, after the cold season, are *bound, *firmly knit together, and the lambs strong and healthy. The other word, *covered, *seems to mean seeking concealment, hiding away (Job 23:9); and therefore *faint, *its meaning in Psalm 61:2, Psalms 102, title (Authorised Version, *overwhelmed*)*, *and Isaiah 57:16 (Authorised Version, *fail*)*. *The autumn-born lambs are of no great value, and Jacob left them to the course of nature.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Genesis 30:41 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.