SEV Biblia, Chapter 30:37
¶ Luego tomó Jacob varas de álamo verdes, y de almendro, y de castaño, y descortezó en ellas mondaduras blancas, descubriendo así lo blanco de las varas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Genesis 30:37
Verse 37. Rods of green poplar] jl hnbl libneh lach. The libneh is generally understood to mean the white poplar; and the word lach, which is here joined to it, does not so much imply greenness of colour as being fresh, in opposition to witheredness. Had they not been fresh - just cut off, he could not have pilled the bark from them. And of the hazel] zwl luz, the nut or filbert tree, translated by others the almond tree; which of the two is here intended is not known.
And chestnut tree] wmr[ armon, the plane tree, from µr[ aram, he was naked. The plane tree is properly called by this name, because of the outer bark naturally peeling off, and leaving the tree bare in various places, having smooth places where it has fallen off. A portion of this bark the plane tree loses every year. The Septuagint translate it in the same way, platanov. and its name is supposed to be derived from platuv, broad, on account of its broad spreading branches, for which the plane tree is remarkable. So we find the Grecian army in Homer, Il. ii., ver. 307, sacrificing kalh upo platanistw, under a beautiful plane tree.
VIRGIL, Geor. iv. 146, mentions, - ministrantem platanum potantibus umbras. The plane tree yielding the convivial shade.
And PETRONIUS ARBITER in Satyr.:- Nobilis aestivas platanus diffuderat umbras.""The noble plane had spread its summer shade."" See more in Parkhurst. Such a tree would be peculiarly acceptable in hot countries, because of its shade.
Pilled white streaks in them] Probably cutting the bark through in a spiral line, and taking it off in a certain breadth all round the rods, so that the rods would appear party-colo red, the white of the wood showing itself where the bark was stripped off.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 25-43 - The fourteen years being gone, Jacob was willing to depart without an 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 agre for stated wages with Laban, whose selfishness was very great. And it would appear that he acted honestly, when none but those of the colour fixed upon should be found among his cattle. Laban selfishly though 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, an 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 nothin 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 __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויקח 3947 לו יעקב 3290 מקל 4731 לבנה 3839 לח 3892 ולוז 3869 וערמון 6196 ויפצל 6478 בהן פצלות 6479 לבנות 3836 מחשׂף 4286 הלבן 3836 אשׁר 834 על 5921 המקלות׃ 4731
