Definition: And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which [was] in the rods.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse together. It's a really important passage from Genesis, and it tells us about a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Jacob was gathering plants to make a gift for his brother, Esau. Let’s unpack the details: “And Jacob took…” : This sets the scene – Jacob is actively working and collecting something. “…rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree;” : He's gathering different types of trees. "Poplar" and "chesnut tree" are specific kinds of trees. “And pilled white strakes in them…” : This is where it gets interesting! “Pilled” means to cut or strip something off. He was carefully cutting down the trees and removing the outer bark, leaving behind the inner part – the fruit or whatever he’s collecting. The "white strakes" are the vibrant, colorful parts of the fruit (like cherries, plums, or berries). “and made the white appear which [was] in the rods.” : This is the most crucial part! He carefully arranged these white fruits – the ones he’d collected – into a bundle. He then positioned them so that the white color was clearly visible within those bundles, like a beautiful display. What does this verse tell us about Jacob? It suggests several things: His desire to give a gift: He's intentionally gathering these plants to present as a gift to Esau. A moment of intentionality and care: He wasn’t just randomly collecting trees; he was carefully selecting and arranging them with purpose. It’s about beauty and presentation: The way he arranged the fruit highlights his attention to detail and a desire to make something pleasing to look at. In essence, this verse describes a practical action – Jacob gathering plants to give as a gift - that is also symbolic of his growing relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these details in more detail? Connect this story to other Bible stories or themes? Give you a slightly different perspective on the verse's meaning?