Genesis 30:39 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And the flocks conceived, &c.— Dr. Shuckford observes further, (see note on Genesis 30:32.) that as it cannot be proved that the method which Jacob used is a natural and effectual way to produce variegated cattle, the ancient naturalists have carried their thoughts upon these subjects much farther than they would bear. The effect of impressions upon the imagination must be very accidental; because the objects that should cause them may or may not be taken notice of, as any one would find that should try Jacob's pilled rods to variegate his cattle with. But granting they might naturally produce the effect here mentioned, yet if, as has been said above, Jacob used them in obedience to a special Divine direction, without knowing any thing of their natural virtue, the effect must still be ascribed to God himself, just as in the case of Hezekiah: though the figs which were applied for his recovery might be a natural remedy for his distemper; yet, since the application of them was not made by any rules of physic then known, but by a Divine direction, the cure is justly ascribed to the immediate hand of God. We will only observe further, that whether this effect was owing to natural, or to to those which we call preternatural and miraculous causes, it is equally agreeable to the Scripture-style, and to the truth of philosophy, to ascribe it to God as Jacob does, ch. Genesis 31:9.