From this it appears, that, as Jacob had agreed to take all the parti-coloured for his wages, and was now only beginning to act upon this agreement, and consequently had as yet no right to any of the cattle, therefore Laban separated from the flock all such cattle as Jacob might afterwards claim in consequence of his bargain, leaving only the black and white with Jacob.

care ... his <03027> [the hand.]

31:9

30:37

Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]

31:9-13 [All]

fresh-cut .... poplar <03839 03892> [green poplar.]

{Livneh} is the white poplar, so called from the whiteness of its leaves, bark, and wood, from {lavan} to be white.

[hasel.]

Jerome, Hiller, Celsius, Dr. Shaw, Bochart, and other learned men, say, that {luz} is not the "hazel" but the almond-tree, as the word denotes both in Arabic and Syriac.

[chestnut tree.]

The Heb. word {armon,} signifies "the plane-tree," so called from the bark naturally peeling off, and leaving the trunk naked, as its root {aram,} signifies.

Eze 31:8

30:39

gave birth <03205> [brought forth.]

31:9-12,38,40,42 Ex 12:35,36 [All]

30:41

stronger females ... in heat ............... flock ..... mate <06629 03179 07194> [whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive.]

As the means which Jacob used would not in general produce similar effects, nay, probably the experiment was never in any other instance tried with effect, it is more in harmony with Divine truth to suppose that he was directed by some Divine intimation; and rendered successful, if not by a direct miracle, yet at least by the Lord's giving a new and uncommon bias to the tendency of natural causes.

30:43

30 13:2 24:35 26:13,14 28:15 31:7,8,42 32:10 33:11 36:7 Ec 2:7 Eze 39:10 [All]

The Lord will, in one way or other, honour those who simply trust his providence.