Genesis 30:42
◄  Genesis 30:42  ►
New International Version (©2011)
but if the animals were weak, he would not place them there. So the weak animals went to Laban and the strong ones to Jacob.

New Living Translation (©2007)
But he didn't do this with the weaker ones, so the weaker lambs belonged to Laban, and the stronger ones were Jacob's.

English Standard Version (©2001)
but for the feebler of the flock he would not lay them there. So the feebler would be Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
but when the flock was feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban's and the stronger Jacob's.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
As for the weaklings of the flocks, he did not put out the branches. So it turned out that the weak sheep belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.

International Standard Version (©2012)
But he didn't put the branches in front of any of the feeble members of the flock. As a result, the feeble ones belonged to Laban, but the stronger ones belonged to Jacob.

NET Bible (©2006)
But if the animals were weaker, he did not set the branches there. So the weaker animals ended up belonging to Laban and the stronger animals to Jacob.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
But when the flocks in heat were weak, he didn't lay down the branches. So the weaker ones belonged to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

American King James Version
But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

American Standard Version
but when the flock were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But when the latter coming was, and the last conceiving, he did not put them. And those that were late ward, become Laban's: and they of the first time, Jacob's.

Darby Bible Translation
but when the sheep were feeble, he put them not in; so the feeble were Laban's, and the strong Jacob's.

English Revised Version
but when the flock were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

Webster's Bible Translation
But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

World English Bible
but when the flock were feeble, he didn't put them in. So the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

Young's Literal Translation
and when the flock is feeble, he doth not set them; and the feeble ones have been Laban's, and the strong ones Jacob's.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

30:25-43 The fourteen years being gone, Jacob was willing to depart without any provision, except God's promise. But he had in many ways a just claim on Laban's substance, and it was the will of God that he should be provided for from it. He referred his cause to God, rather than agree for stated wages with Laban, whose selfishness was very great. And it would appear that he acted honestly, when none but those of the colours fixed upon should be found among his cattle. Laban selfishly thought that his cattle would produce few different in colour from their own. Jacob's course after this agreement has been considered an instance of his policy and management. But it was done by intimation from God, and as a token of his power. The Lord will one way or another plead the cause of the oppressed, and honour those who simply trust his providence. Neither could Laban complain of Jacob, for he had nothing more than was freely agreed that he should have; nor was he injured, but greatly benefitted by Jacob's services. May all our mercies be received with thanksgiving and prayer, that coming from his bounty, they may lead to his praise.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 42. - But when the cattle were feeble, - literally, in the covering (sc. with wool; hence weakening) of the flock, which took place in autumn - he put them not in (partly to prevent the introduction of feeble animals amongst his parti-colored flocks, but partly also, it is thought, to avoid prematurely exciting Laban's suspicion): so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in,.... Or "when covered", as Menachem, that is, with wool, and so not so desirous of copulation with the males, nor so fit and strong for generation; and therefore he put not in the rods into the gutters, partly that he might have none feeble in his flock, and partly that he might not spoil Laban of his whole flock, strong and weak:

so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's; not only his flocks became more numerous than Laban's, but were a better quality.

Genesis 30:42 Parallel Commentaries

Genesis 30:42 NIV
Genesis 30:42 NLT
Genesis 30:42 ESV
Genesis 30:42 NASB
Genesis 30:42 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Jacob Prospers
…41And it came to pass, whenever 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. 42But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's. 43And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

Genesis 30:41 Whenever the stronger females were in heat, Jacob would place the branches in the troughs in front of the animals so they would mate near the branches,
Genesis 30:43 In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.