Definition: And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, [and] every one that had [some] white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave [them] into the hand of his sons.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 30:35. It’s a really significant story about God’s plan for Jacob (later renamed Israel). Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: God is setting up a system to ensure fairness and balance in the world. He wants to make sure everyone has enough of everything, and that there isn’t too much of one thing at the expense of another. Let’s unpack the details: “And he removed that day…” : This refers to a specific moment – a turning point. It's like a decision made by God. “…the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, [and] every one that had [some] white in it, and all the brown among the sheep…” : This is the core of the verse. It’s describing a selection process. “He goats” : These are the goats that were initially led by Joseph. They were wild and unruly. “Ringstraked and spotted” : They had blemishes – they were marked with spots, and their horns were twisted (the "ring" part). This suggests they were a bit difficult to manage. “Speckled and spotted” : These goats had patches of white on them. This is important because it signifies that God wants to give everyone a chance to be seen as worthy. “Every one that had [some] white in it” : This means every goat – including the wild ones - had some color or markings, signifying their individual value. “All the brown among the sheep…” : This refers to the rest of the goats. The idea is that God wants a balance between the different colors and patterns of the animals. “…and gave [them] into the hand of his sons.” : This is the crucial part. God, through his son Joseph, takes these selected goats – those with the markings – and gives them to his sons (the future patriarchs of Israel). The Bigger Picture & What it Means: This story illustrates several key themes: Divine Justice: God is actively working to create a just and balanced world. God’s Control: He's not just observing the situation; He’s actively intervening and making choices. Favor & Blessing: Giving the goats into Joseph's sons signifies that God is giving them a chance to thrive and fulfill their purpose – to become a great people. It’s about establishing a future for Israel. In essence, this verse describes a carefully orchestrated process where God chooses certain animals (the goats) to represent different qualities – beauty, individuality, and potential – and then uses those choices to shape the future of his people. --- Would you like me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to a specific theme in the Bible (like free will or covenant)? Give you a short summary of the story’s context?