feeble (sheep)

The Hebrew that is translated as “feeble” or similar in English is translated in Kwere as “thin, skinny.” (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Genesis 30:42)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 30:42:

  • Newari: “Branch splinters like that would not be put in front of the weak ones. In this way the strong cattle became Jacob’s, and the weak cattle became Laban’s.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But if the weak animals which (were) the-(ones) mating, he did- not -place the branches. Therefore the weak ones belonged to Laban and the healthy/[lit. good] of body ones belonged to Jacob.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But when weak animals were ready to mate, he did not put the branches in their troughs. So the weak ones became part of Laban’s flock, and the strong ones became part of Jacob’s flock.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 30:42

But for the feebler of the flock he did not lay them there: feebler of the flock refers to the animals that are not robust and healthy. They are sometimes described in English as weak, scrawny, or thin. Translators will want to use a term that contrasts with that used in verse 41. Did not lay them means he did not lay the striped branches in the drinking troughs.

So the feebler were Laban’s: the thin, weak animals would tend to produce offspring like their parents and be unaffected by the striped branches. These would remain in Laban’s flocks.

And the stronger Jacob’s: on the other hand the healthier animals would produce offspring of mixed colors and these belonged to Jacob.

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 .