Definition: And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 30:41. It’s a pretty fascinating and slightly mysterious passage! Here's an explanation in simple terms: Basically, it describes a strange and unusual situation where Jacob, one of Abraham’s sons, was trying to encourage the animals – like cows and goats – to have babies. Here’s a more detailed breakdown: “And it came to pass…”: This is just setting up a story. It's an observation about what happened. “…whenever the stronger cattle did conceive…” This means that the animals (particularly the larger ones) were producing more offspring than usual. "Stronger" here refers to cows and goats – they were the biggest and most productive. “…that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters…”: This is where it gets interesting. Jacob, who was already struggling with his own difficult situation, decided to use a rod (a long stick) as a sort of "signal" or encouragement for the animals. He placed this rod in the gutters – which is basically a small stream or channel. “…that they might conceive among the rods.”: This is the key part. He was trying to make it so that the animals, by being near the rod, would subconsciously start thinking about having babies. What’s the big idea? This verse is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of Jacob's own struggle with his difficult situation and his desire for a blessing or a future filled with prosperity. It suggests that he was trying to influence events in a way that would ultimately lead to good things, even if it involved a bit of strange behavior! Important Note: It’s important to remember this is an interpretation rooted in Jewish tradition (and later, some Christian interpretations) and isn't necessarily meant to be taken literally. It’s about the idea of encouragement and influence. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Provide a different perspective on the meaning? Discuss the potential symbolism behind this story?