Genesis 30:38 - He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the gutters in the watering-troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink.
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What does "Genesis 30:38" mean?
This verse from Genesis 30:38 describes a somewhat unusual and, to modern readers, potentially superstitious practice employed by Jacob to increase the number of spotted and speckled goats and sheep in Laban's flock. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the gutters in the watering-troughs...": Jacob peeled strips off of branches (rods) to expose the lighter wood underneath, creating striped or spotted patterns. He then placed these peeled rods in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink.
"...where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink.": The idea here is that when the female animals looked at the striped rods while they were drinking and mating, they would be influenced to produce offspring that resembled those patterns—that is, spotted or speckled young.
Interpretation and Context
Ancient Beliefs: The passage reflects ancient beliefs about visual impressions affecting conception and heredity. It was thought that what a pregnant animal (or even a woman) looked at during conception could influence the characteristics of their offspring.
Jacob's Strategy: Jacob was trying to outsmart his father-in-law, Laban. Laban had agreed that Jacob could keep the spotted and speckled animals as his wages. By using this technique (whether it actually worked or not), Jacob was trying to manipulate the birth rates to increase his own flock.
Divine Providence: From a theological perspective, some interpret this story as illustrating that ultimately it was God who was in control of the outcome, despite Jacob's manipulative efforts. Regardless of Jacob's methods, it was God who blessed Jacob's flocks.
In essence, the verse describes Jacob's attempt to use a folk practice based on the belief that visual stimuli during mating could influence the appearance of offspring, as part of a larger strategy to increase his wealth at Laban's expense.
Genesis 30:38 - He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the gutters in the watering-troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink.
What does "Genesis 30:38" mean?
This verse from Genesis 30:38 describes a somewhat unusual and, to modern readers, potentially superstitious practice employed by Jacob to increase the number of spotted and speckled goats and sheep in Laban's flock. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the gutters in the watering-troughs...": Jacob peeled strips off of branches (rods) to expose the lighter wood underneath, creating striped or spotted patterns. He then placed these peeled rods in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink.
"...where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink.": The idea here is that when the female animals looked at the striped rods while they were drinking and mating, they would be influenced to produce offspring that resembled those patterns—that is, spotted or speckled young.
Interpretation and Context
Ancient Beliefs: The passage reflects ancient beliefs about visual impressions affecting conception and heredity. It was thought that what a pregnant animal (or even a woman) looked at during conception could influence the characteristics of their offspring.
Jacob's Strategy: Jacob was trying to outsmart his father-in-law, Laban. Laban had agreed that Jacob could keep the spotted and speckled animals as his wages. By using this technique (whether it actually worked or not), Jacob was trying to manipulate the birth rates to increase his own flock.
Divine Providence: From a theological perspective, some interpret this story as illustrating that ultimately it was God who was in control of the outcome, despite Jacob's manipulative efforts. Regardless of Jacob's methods, it was God who blessed Jacob's flocks.
In essence, the verse describes Jacob's attempt to use a folk practice based on the belief that visual stimuli during mating could influence the appearance of offspring, as part of a larger strategy to increase his wealth at Laban's expense.