Genesis 30:37
New International Version
Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches.

New Living Translation
Then Jacob took some fresh branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of bark, making white streaks on them.

English Standard Version
Then Jacob took fresh sticks of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the sticks.

Berean Standard Bible
Jacob, however, took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods.

New American Standard Bible
Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white that was in the rods.

NASB 1995
Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white which was in the rods.

NASB 1977
Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white which was in the rods.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane trees, and he peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white which was in the rods.

Amplified Bible
Then Jacob took branches of fresh poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white in the branches.

Christian Standard Bible
Jacob then took branches of fresh poplar, almond, and plane wood, and peeled the bark, exposing white stripes on the branches.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jacob then took branches of fresh poplar, almond, and plane wood, and peeled the bark, exposing white stripes on the branches.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Jacob cut branches from some poplar trees and from some almond and evergreen trees. He peeled off part of the bark and made the branches look spotted and speckled.

English Revised Version
And Jacob took him rods of fresh poplar, and of the almond and of the plane tree; and peeled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Jacob took fresh-cut branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled the bark on them in strips of white, uncovering the white which was on the branches.

Good News Translation
Jacob got green branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees and stripped off some of the bark so that the branches had white stripes on them.

International Standard Version
Jacob took branches from white poplar trees, freshly cut almond trees, and some other trees, stripped off their bark to make white streaks, and uncovered the white part inside the branches.

Majority Standard Bible
Jacob, however, took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches.

NET Bible
But Jacob took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees. He made white streaks by peeling them, making the white inner wood in the branches visible.

New Heart English Bible
Jacob took fresh branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white streaks by peeling them, exposing white stripes on the branches.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jacob takes to himself a rod of fresh poplar and almond and plane-tree, and peels in them white peelings, making bare the white that [is] on the rods,

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jacob will take to himself a rod of green storax, and the almond tree, and the plane tree, and he will strip off of them the white strippings, uncovering the white which was upon the rods.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jacob took green robs of poplar, and of almond, and of place 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jacob, taking green branches of poplar, and almond, and sycamore trees, debarked them in part. And when the bark was pulled off, in the parts that were stripped, there appeared whiteness, yet the parts that were left whole, remained green. And so, in this way the color was made variegated.

New American Bible
Jacob, however, got some fresh shoots of poplar, almond and plane trees, and he peeled white stripes in them by laying bare the white core of the shoots.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the rods.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jacob took some fresh white rods of almond and poplar trees; and peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yaquuv took to him fresh white rods of almond and of the plane tree and he stripped them of the white bark and they became whiter, white in the rods.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jacob took him rods of fresh poplar, and of the almond and of the plane-tree; and peeled white streaks in them, making the white appear which was in the rods.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jacob took to himself green rods of storax tree and walnut and plane-tree; and Jacob peeled in them white stripes; and as he drew off the green, the white stripe which he had made appeared alternate on the rods.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Prospers
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,…

Cross References
Exodus 7:19-20
And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over their rivers and canals and ponds and all the reservoirs—that they may become blood.’ There will be blood throughout the land of Egypt, even in the vessels of wood and stone.” / Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood.

Exodus 14:21
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided,

Numbers 17:8
The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds.

1 Kings 17:6
The ravens would bring him bread and meat in the morning and evening, and he would drink from the brook.

2 Kings 4:41
Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

2 Kings 6:6
“Where did it fall?” asked the man of God. And when he showed him the place, the man of God cut a stick, threw it there, and made the iron float.

Ezekiel 17:24
Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”

Ezekiel 31:8-9
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. / I made it beautiful with its many branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God.’

Hosea 12:3-4
In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God. / Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there—

John 2:7-9
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. / “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, / and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it was from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside

John 9:6-7
When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man’s eyes. / Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.

Acts 19:11-12
God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, / so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them.

Romans 4:17-21
As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist. / Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. ...

1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Jacob.

Genesis 31:9-13
Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me…

green poplar.

hasel.

chestnut tree.

Ezekiel 31:8
The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

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Almond Almond-Tree Appear Bands Bark Branches Chestnut Cutting Exposing Fresh Green However Inner Jacob Making Peeled Pilled Plane Plane-Tree Poplar Rod Rods Skin Streaks Stripes Tree Trees Uncovering White Young
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Almond Almond-Tree Appear Bands Bark Branches Chestnut Cutting Exposing Fresh Green However Inner Jacob Making Peeled Pilled Plane Plane-Tree Poplar Rod Rods Skin Streaks Stripes Tree Trees Uncovering White Young
Genesis 30
1. Rachel, in grief for her barrenness, gives Bilhah her maid unto Jacob.
5. Bilhah bears Dan and Naphtali.
9. Leah gives Zilpah her maid, who bears Gad and Asher.
14. Reuben finds mandrakes,
15. with which Leah buys her husband's company of Rachel.
17. Leah bears Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah.
22. Rachel bears Joseph.
25. Jacob desires to depart.
27. Laban detains him on a new agreement.
37. Jacob's policy, whereby he becomes rich.














Then Jacob took
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, showcasing his resourcefulness and ingenuity. The Hebrew root for "took" is "laqach," which often implies taking with purpose or intention. Jacob's actions are deliberate, reflecting his desire to secure his future and fulfill God's promise of prosperity. This moment is a testament to human agency working within divine providence.

fresh branches
The Hebrew word for "fresh" is "lach," meaning moist or new. This indicates that Jacob selected branches that were vibrant and full of life, symbolizing new beginnings and the potential for growth. The choice of fresh branches suggests a reliance on the natural order and God's creation to bring about change and blessing.

of poplar, almond, and plane trees
Each of these trees holds significance in the biblical and historical context. The poplar, or "libneh" in Hebrew, is often associated with strength and resilience. The almond tree, "shaqed," is one of the first to bloom in spring, symbolizing vigilance and the fulfillment of God's promises. The plane tree, "armon," is known for its broad leaves and shade, representing protection and covering. Together, these trees reflect the multifaceted nature of God's provision and the diversity of His creation.

and peeled the bark
The act of peeling the bark, "patsal" in Hebrew, is a transformative process. It involves removing the outer layer to reveal what lies beneath, symbolizing the uncovering of truth and the revelation of God's plans. This action by Jacob can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth, where superficial layers are stripped away to expose the purity and potential within.

exposing the white inner wood
The "white inner wood" signifies purity, innocence, and divine revelation. In biblical symbolism, white often represents holiness and righteousness. By exposing the white wood, Jacob is not only engaging in a physical act but also symbolically aligning himself with God's purity and righteousness. This act of exposure is a reminder of the transparency and honesty required in our walk with God.

of the branches
The branches, "matteh" in Hebrew, are often symbolic of authority and leadership in the Bible. By manipulating the branches, Jacob is exercising his God-given authority to influence his circumstances. This reflects the biblical principle that while God is sovereign, He often works through human actions to accomplish His purposes. Jacob's actions remind us of the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

(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 PalesĂștine, 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.

Verse 37. - And Jacob took him rods of green poplar - literally, a rod (the singular being used collectively for rods) of לִבְנֶה, (from לָבַן, to be white, meaning either the) poplar (LXX., in Hosea 4:13; Vulgate, Kalisch) or the storax (LXX. in loco, Keil; cf. Michaelis, 'Suppl.,' p. 1404) fresh green - and of the hazel - לוּז, the hazel tree (Raschi, Kimchi, Arabic, Luther, Furst, Kalisch) or the almond tree (Vulgate, Saadias, Calvin, Gesenius, 'Speaker s Commentary') - and chestnut tree; - עַרְמון, the plane tree (LXX., Vulgate, et alii), so called from its height - and pilled white strakes in them (literally, peeled off in them peeled places white), and made the white appear (literally, making naked the white) which was in the rods.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Jacob, however,
יַעֲקֹ֗ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

took
וַיִּֽקַּֽח־ (way·yiq·qaḥ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

fresh
לַ֖ח (laḥ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3892: Fresh, unused, undried

branches
מַקַּ֥ל (maq·qal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4731: A shoot, stick

of poplar,
לִבְנֶ֛ה (liḇ·neh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3839: Some sort of whitish tree, the storax

almond,
וְל֣וּז (wə·lūz)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3869: Some kind of nuttree, the almond

and plane trees,
וְעֶרְמ֑וֹן‪‬ (wə·‘er·mō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6196: The plane tree

and peeled
וַיְפַצֵּ֤ל (way·p̄aṣ·ṣêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6478: To peel

[the bark],
בָּהֵן֙ (bā·hên)
Preposition | third person feminine plural
Strong's Hebrew

exposing
מַחְשֹׂף֙ (maḥ·śōp̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4286: A laying bare, stripping

the white
לְבָנ֔וֹת (lə·ḇā·nō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural
Strong's 3836: White

inner wood
פְּצָל֣וֹת (pə·ṣā·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6479: A peeled spot or stripe

of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the branches.
הַמַּקְלֽוֹת׃ (ham·maq·lō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4731: A shoot, stick


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OT Law: Genesis 30:37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 30:36
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