Genesis 30:42

42 But he did not put them in whenever the cattle happened to bring forth, but the unmarked ones were Laban's, and the marked ones were Jacob's.

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 And Jacob separated the lambs, and set before the sheep a speckled ram, and every variegated one among the lambs, and he separated flocks for himself alone, and did not mingle them with the sheep of Laban.

41 And it came to pass in the time wherein the cattle became pregnant, conceiving in the belly, Jacob put the rods before the cattle in the troughs, that they might conceive by the rods.

42 But he did not put them in whenever the cattle happened to bring forth, but the unmarked ones were Laban's, and the marked ones were Jacob's.

43 And the man became very rich, and he had many cattle, and oxen, and servants, and maid-servants, and camels, and asses.