Genesis 30:37
Genesis 30:37 in Multiple Translations
Jacob, however, took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches.
¶ And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
And Jacob took him rods of fresh poplar, and of the almond and of the plane-tree; and peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
Then Jacob took young branches of trees, cutting off the skin so that the white wood was seen in bands.
Then Jacob cut some sticks from poplar, almond, and plane trees that had white wood under the bark. He peeled off some of the bark, making the sticks look streaked with white.
Then Iaakob tooke rods of greene popular, and of hasell, and of the chesnut tree, and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appeare in the rods.
And Jacob taketh to himself a rod of fresh poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut, and doth peel in them white peelings, making bare the white that [is] on the rods,
Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, and plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
And Jacob took to him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut-tree; and peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
And Jacob took green rods of poplar, and of almond, and of plane trees, and pilled them in part: so when the bark was taken off, in the parts that were pilled, there appeared whiteness: but the parts that were whole remained green: and by this means the colour was divers.
Then Jacob cut some branches of ◄poplar, almond, and plane trees/three kinds of trees that had white wood►. He peeled strips of bark from the branches, so that where the bark had been peeled off, the branches were light in color.
Then Jacob cut off some young green branches from 3 sorts of trees that were in that place. Those trees were called poplar trees, almond trees, and plane trees. Then Jacob pulled off some of the bark that was on the outside of those branches, so that he could see white bits under the bark. He did that so that those branches looked like they had spots on them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 30:37
BAB
Word Study
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Genesis 30:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּֽקַּֽח
ל֣/וֹ
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
מַקַּ֥ל
לִבְנֶ֛ה
לַ֖ח
וְ/ל֣וּז
וְ/עֶרְמ֑וֹן
וַ/יְפַצֵּ֤ל
בָּ/הֵן֙
פְּצָל֣וֹת
לְבָנ֔וֹת
מַחְשֹׂף֙
הַ/לָּבָ֔ן
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
עַל
הַ/מַּקְלֽוֹת
וַ/יִּֽקַּֽח
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
ל֣/וֹ
Prep | Suff
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
מַקַּ֥ל
maqqêl
H4731
rod
N-ms
לִבְנֶ֛ה
libneh
H3839
poplar
N-ms
לַ֖ח
lach
H3892
fresh
Adj
וְ/ל֣וּז
lûwz
H3869
almond
Conj | N-ms
וְ/עֶרְמ֑וֹן
ʻarmôwn
H6196
plane tree
Conj | N-ms
וַ/יְפַצֵּ֤ל
pâtsal
H6478
to peel
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
בָּ/הֵן֙
Prep | Suff
פְּצָל֣וֹת
pᵉtsâlâh
H6479
stripe
N-fp
לְבָנ֔וֹת
lâbân
H3836
white
Adj
מַחְשֹׂף֙
machsôph
H4286
exposing
N-ms
הַ/לָּבָ֔ן
lâbân
H3836
white
Art | Adj
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/מַּקְלֽוֹת
maqqêl
H4731
rod
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 30:37
וַ/יִּֽקַּֽח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
ל֣/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
יַעֲקֹ֗ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
מַקַּ֥ל
maqqêl
H4731
"rod"
N-ms
A rod or staff, like a walking stick, is used for support or guidance in the Bible, as seen in Exodus with Moses' staff. It can also be a symbol of authority. The word appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) rod, staff 1a) rod, stick 1b) staff (in travel) 1c) wand (of diviner)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: rod, (hand-)staff. See also: Genesis 30:37; 1 Samuel 17:43; Jeremiah 1:11.
לִבְנֶ֛ה
libneh
H3839
"poplar"
N-ms
Describes a type of tree, possibly a poplar, known for its white sap or bark.
Definition: 1) poplar, white poplar 1a) a tree which exudes milky-white gum
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: poplar. See also: Genesis 30:37; Hosea 4:13.
לַ֖ח
lach
H3892
"fresh"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means fresh or moist, often describing plants or objects that are new or unused. It appears in Exodus and other books to describe the natural world. It signifies something that is not dried up or worn out.
Definition: 1) moist, fresh, new 1a) moist, fresh (of plants) 1b) new (of cords, sinews)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: green, moist. See also: Genesis 30:37; Judges 16:8; Ezekiel 21:3.
וְ/ל֣וּז
lûwz
H3869
"almond"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to an almond tree, possibly the nut itself. In the KJV, it is sometimes translated as hazel, but its original meaning is related to the almond tree.
Definition: almond tree, almond wood
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: hazel. See also: Genesis 30:37.
וְ/עֶרְמ֑וֹן
ʻarmôwn
H6196
"plane tree"
Conj | N-ms
The plane tree is a type of tree with smooth, shedding bark. In the Bible, it is mentioned as a distinctive tree, also translated as a chestnut tree.
Definition: 1) plane-tree 1a) as stripped of bark
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: chestnut tree. See also: Genesis 30:37; Ezekiel 31:8.
וַ/יְפַצֵּ֤ל
pâtsal
H6478
"to peel"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
In Hebrew, this word means to remove the outer layer of something, like peeling a fruit. It appears in the Bible as a rare term for pill or peeling. This verb is used to describe a specific action in the Old Testament.
Definition: (Piel) to peel
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: pill. See also: Genesis 30:37; Genesis 30:38.
בָּ/הֵן֙
""
Prep | Suff
פְּצָל֣וֹת
pᵉtsâlâh
H6479
"stripe"
N-fp
This Hebrew word refers to a long, narrow mark or strip, often resulting from peeling or stripping something away. It is used in the Bible to describe a visual characteristic or a distinctive mark.
Definition: stripe, peeled spot or stripe or strip
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: strake. See also: Genesis 30:37.
לְבָנ֔וֹת
lâbân
H3836
"white"
Adj
Means white in Hebrew, used to describe something pure or clean, like freshly fallen snow.
Definition: white
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: white. See also: Genesis 30:35; Leviticus 13:21; Zechariah 6:6.
מַחְשֹׂף֙
machsôph
H4286
"exposing"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means to expose or lay something bare, like peeling the bark off a tree. It is used to describe making something visible. In the Bible, it is translated as 'made appear'.
Definition: 1) a stripping, a laying bare 1a) of bark
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: made appear. See also: Genesis 30:37.
הַ/לָּבָ֔ן
lâbân
H3836
"white"
Art | Adj
Means white in Hebrew, used to describe something pure or clean, like freshly fallen snow.
Definition: white
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: white. See also: Genesis 30:35; Leviticus 13:21; Zechariah 6:6.
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/מַּקְלֽוֹת
maqqêl
H4731
"rod"
Art | N-mp
A rod or staff, like a walking stick, is used for support or guidance in the Bible, as seen in Exodus with Moses' staff. It can also be a symbol of authority. The word appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) rod, staff 1a) rod, stick 1b) staff (in travel) 1c) wand (of diviner)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: rod, (hand-)staff. See also: Genesis 30:37; 1 Samuel 17:43; Jeremiah 1:11.
Study Notes — Genesis 30:37
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 30:37 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:37
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:37
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:37
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
Context — Jacob Prospers
35That very day Laban removed all the streaked or spotted male goats and every speckled or spotted female goat—every one that had any white on it—and every dark-colored lamb, and he placed them under the care of his sons.
36Then he put a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, while Jacob was shepherding the rest of Laban’s flocks.
37Jacob, however, took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches.
38Then he set the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of the flocks coming in to drink. So when the flocks were in heat and came to drink, 39they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 31:9–13 | Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me. When the flocks were breeding, I saw in a dream that the streaked, spotted, and speckled males were mating with the females. In that dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Here I am.’ ‘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. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up and leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’” |
| 2 | Ezekiel 31:8 | The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it; the cypresses could not compare with its branches, nor the plane trees match its boughs. No tree in the garden of God could compare with its beauty. |
Genesis 30:37 Summary
[Genesis 30:37 shows Jacob using his creativity to try to increase the number of streaked or spotted goats in Laban's flock, by placing peeled branches in the watering troughs, which would eventually lead to the birth of streaked or speckled offspring, as seen in Genesis 30:39. This event is part of the larger story of God's covenant with Jacob, as seen in Genesis 28:13-15. Jacob's actions may seem clever, but they also demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises, as seen in Genesis 31:7-13. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn about the importance of faith and creativity in our own lives, and how God can use our actions to fulfill His plans, as seen in Proverbs 16:9.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the trees Jacob chose in Genesis 30:37?
The trees Jacob chose, including poplar, almond, and plane trees, were likely selected because of their white inner wood, which would be exposed after peeling the bark, symbolizing the streaks and spots that would appear on the offspring of Laban's flocks, as seen in Genesis 30:39.
Was Jacob's action in Genesis 30:37 an example of God's sovereignty or Jacob's cunning?
While Jacob's action may seem like cunning, it is also a demonstration of God's sovereignty, as seen in Genesis 31:7-13, where God reveals to Jacob that He is the one who has been behind the increase of Laban's flocks.
How does Genesis 30:37 relate to the broader theme of God's covenant with Jacob?
Genesis 30:37 is part of the larger narrative of God's covenant with Jacob, as seen in Genesis 28:13-15, where God promises to be with Jacob and bless him, and Genesis 30:37 is a demonstration of God's faithfulness to that promise.
Is Genesis 30:37 a justification for using deceptive means to achieve a goal?
No, Genesis 30:37 should not be seen as a justification for using deceptive means, as seen in Proverbs 10:9, which teaches that the integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from Jacob's creative approach to achieving his goals, and how can we apply that to our own lives?
- How does Genesis 30:37 challenge or reinforce our understanding of God's sovereignty in our lives?
- What role does faith play in our decision-making, and how can we balance faith with wisdom and discernment, as seen in Genesis 30:37?
- How can we distinguish between cleverness and faithfulness in our own lives, and what are the consequences of prioritizing one over the other?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 30:37
And Jacob took him rods of green poplar,.... Of the white poplar tree, called green, not from the colour, but from the moisture, being such as were cut off of the tree: and of the hazel and chestnut
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 30:37
And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
Jacob took rods: this he did by Divine appointment, as will appear in the sequel, which is sufficient for Jacob’ s justification. Took rods of green popular, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; either because these trees were next at hand, or because he saw these in the Divine vision afterwards mentioned, and would exactly follow his pattern. He made the white appear, by pilling off the rind which covered it.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which [was] in the rods.Ver. 37. And of the hazel.] Or nut tree, Heb. Luz, which was the ancient name of the city of Bethel; so called, as it seemeth, of nut trees growing there.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
(37) And Jacob took him rods . . . —Jacob’s plan was to place before the ewes and she-goats at breeding time objects of a speckled colour, and as he put them at their watering-place, where everything was familiar to them, they would, with the usual curiosity of these animals, gaze upon them intently, with the result, physically certain to follow, that many of them would bear speckled young. Poplar.—Really, the storax-tree (styrax officinalis). “This,” says Canon Tristram, “is a very beautiful perfumed shrub, which grows abundantly on the lower hills of Palestine.” The word occurs elsewhere only in Hosea 4:13, and the idea that it was the poplar arises solely from the name signifying white; but this epithet is even more deserved by the storax, “which in March is covered with a sheet of white blossom, and is the predominant shrub through the dells of Carmel and Galilee” (Natural History of the Bible, pp. 395, 396). Hazel.—Heb., luz (Genesis 28:19), the almond-tree (amygdalus communis). Dr. Tristram (Natural History of the Bible, p. 358) says that he never observed the true hazel wild in Southern or Central Pales·tine, nor was it likely to occur in Mesopotamia. The almond is one of the most common trees in Palestine. Chesnut tree.—Heb., armon, the plane-tree (platanus orientalis). “We never,” says Dr. Tristram (p. 345), “saw the chesnut in Palestine, excepting planted in orchards in Lebanon; while the plane-tree, though local, is frequent by the sides of streams and in plains.” The tree is mentioned again in Ezekiel 31:8.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
Verse 37. Rods of green poplar] לבנה לח libneh lach. The libneh is generally understood to mean the white poplar; and the word lach, which is here joined to it, does not so much imply greenness of colour as being fresh, in opposition to witheredness. Had they not been fresh - just cut off, he could not have pilled the bark from them. And of the hazel] לוז luz, the nut or filbert tree, translated by others the almond tree; which of the two is here intended is not known. And chestnut tree] ערמון armon, the plane tree, from ערם aram, he was naked. The plane tree is properly called by this name, because of the outer bark naturally peeling off, and leaving the tree bare in various places, having smooth places where it has fallen off. A portion of this bark the plane tree loses every year. The Septuagint translate it in the same way, πλατανος and its name is supposed to be derived from πλατυς, broad, on account of its broad spreading branches, for which the plane tree is remarkable. So we find the Grecian army in Homer, Il. ii., ver. 307, sacrificing καληυποπλατανιστω, under a beautiful plane tree.
VIRGIL, Geor. iv. 146, mentions, - ministrantem platanum potantibus umbras. The plane tree yielding the convivial shade. And PETRONIUS ARBITER in Satyr.: - Nobilis aestivas platanus diffuderat umbras. "The noble plane had spread its summer shade." See more in Parkhurst. Such a tree would be peculiarly acceptable in hot countries, because of its shade. Pilled white streaks in them] Probably cutting the bark through in a spiral line, and taking it off in a certain breadth all round the rods, so that the rods would appear party-coloured, the white of the wood showing itself where the bark was stripped off.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 30:37
37. poplar] R.V. marg. storax tree. The Hebrew name is libneh, and is probably connected with the word laban, meaning “white.” By some it is identified with the styrax officinalis. plane tree] In the Hebrew ‘armon, i.e. “naked,” a name derived from the annual scaling of the bark of the tree. The platanus orientalis was held in high veneration in the East. Cf. Ezekiel 31:8. white strakes] Jacob’s trick turns upon the whiteness of the rods; and this supplies a play upon the name “Laban” (= “white”), who is outwitted by Jacob. The device is said to be well known to shepherds. “Strake” is Old English for “streak”; cf. Leviticus 14:37.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 30:37
JACOB’S , Genesis 30:37-43. 37. Took him rods — At sight of such imperious attempt at overreaching him, Jacob is not slow to devise means to counteract the wrong.