Genesis 30:42

42 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.

Genesis 30:42 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 30:42

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 In-Context

40 Jacob separated the rams from the flock and made the rest of the sheep face any that were striped or black in Laban's flocks. So he made separate herds for himself and did not add them to Laban's flocks.

41 Whenever the stronger of the flocks were in heat, Jacob would lay the branches in the troughs in front of them so that they would mate by the branches.

42 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.

43 As a result, Jacob became very wealthy. He had large flocks, male and female slaves, camels, and donkeys.