Genesis 30:39

When the sheep mated ¹  in front of the branches, they ²  gave birth to young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.

Ge 31:9-12,38,40,42; Ex 12:35,36

¹ tn The Hebrew verb used here can mean “to be in heat” (see v. 38) or “to mate; to conceive; to become pregnant.” The latter nuance makes better sense in this verse, for the next clause describes them giving birth.

² tn Heb “the sheep.” The noun has been replaced by the pronoun (“they”) in the translation for stylistic reasons.