He set the rods which he had peeled in front of the flocks in the runnels: this statement should be understood to mean that the animals could see these branches in front of them when they had their heads lowered to drink. Revised Standard Version runnels is an archaic word for a small stream. New Revised Standard Version says “in the troughs.” The Hebrew uses a special word for trough and adds a descriptive definition, the watering troughs, where the flocks came to drink. Translators should refer to 24.20 for the translation of troughs.

We may suggest translating this part of verse 38 as “Jacob put the striped branches inside the drinking troughs, where the animals would see them when they came to drink.”

The context rather than the particular form of the verb here indicates that Jacob did what is described in verses 37-42 not one time but many times; it was his regular practice. He built up his own flock by doing these things over a period of years. If there is any danger of misunderstanding for readers, translators should use an expression or verb forms that make it clear that Jacob did these actions habitually; for example, “All the time Jacob used to cut branches … and he would put the sticks….”

The final sentence of verse 38 explains the circumstances in which the animals mated. Good News Translation expands this explanation by saying “He put them there because the animals mated….” Translators may find this a helpful model. It is important in translation to use an expression for mating or breeding that can be read in public without causing amusement or embarrassment.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .