1 And he heard H8085 the words H1697 of Laban's H3837 sons, H1121 saying, H559 Jacob H3290 hath taken away H3947 all that was our father's; H1 and of that which was our father's H1 hath he gotten H6213 all this glory. H3519
2 And Jacob H3290 beheld H7200 the countenance H6440 of Laban, H3837 and, behold, it was not toward him as H8543 before. H8032
3 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Jacob, H3290 Return H7725 unto the land H776 of thy fathers, H1 and to thy kindred; H4138 and I will be with thee.
4 And Jacob H3290 sent H7971 and called H7121 Rachel H7354 and Leah H3812 to the field H7704 unto his flock, H6629
5 And said H559 unto them, I see H7200 your father's H1 countenance, H6440 that it is not toward me as H8543 before; H8032 but the God H430 of my father H1 hath been H1961 with me.
6 And ye H859 know H3045 that with all my power H3581 I have served H5647 your father. H1
7 And your father H1 hath deceived H2048 me, and changed H2498 my wages H4909 ten H6235 times; H4489 but God H430 suffered him H5414 not to hurt H7489 me. H5978
8 If he said H559 thus, The speckled H5348 shall be thy wages; H7939 then all the cattle H6629 bare H3205 speckled: H5348 and if he said H559 thus, The ringstraked H6124 shall be thy hire; H7939 then bare H3205 all the cattle H6629 ringstraked. H6124
9 Thus God H430 hath taken away H5337 the cattle H4735 of your father, H1 and given H5414 them to me.
10 And it came to pass at the time H6256 that the cattle H6629 conceived, H3179 that I lifted up H5375 mine eyes, H5869 and saw H7200 in a dream, H2472 and, behold, the rams H6260 which leaped H5927 upon the cattle H6629 were ringstraked, H6124 speckled, H5348 and grisled. H1261
11 And the angel H4397 of God H430 spake H559 unto me in a dream, H2472 saying, Jacob: H3290 And I said, H559 Here am I.
12 And he said, H559 Lift up H5375 now thine eyes, H5869 and see, H7200 all the rams H6260 which leap H5927 upon the cattle H6629 are ringstraked, H6124 speckled, H5348 and grisled: H1261 for I have seen H7200 all that Laban H3837 doeth H6213 unto thee.
13 I am the God H410 of Bethel, H1008 where thou anointedst H4886 the pillar, H4676 and where thou vowedst H5087 a vow H5088 unto me: now arise, H6965 get thee out H3318 from this land, H776 and return H7725 unto the land H776 of thy kindred. H4138
14 And Rachel H7354 and Leah H3812 answered H6030 and said H559 unto him, Is there yet any portion H2506 or inheritance H5159 for us in our father's H1 house? H1004
15 Are we not counted H2803 of him strangers? H5237 for he hath sold H4376 us, and hath quite H398 devoured H398 also our money. H3701
16 For all the riches H6239 which God H430 hath taken H5337 from our father, H1 that is ours, and our children's: H1121 now then, whatsoever God H430 hath said H559 unto thee, do. H6213
17 Then Jacob H3290 rose up, H6965 and set H5375 his sons H1121 and his wives H802 upon camels; H1581
18 And he carried away H5090 all his cattle, H4735 and all his goods H7399 which he had gotten, H7408 the cattle H4735 of his getting, H7075 which he had gotten H7408 in Padanaram, H6307 for to go H935 to Isaac H3327 his father H1 in the land H776 of Canaan. H3667
19 And Laban H3837 went H1980 to shear H1494 his sheep: H6629 and Rachel H7354 had stolen H1589 the images H8655 that were her father's. H1
20 And Jacob H3290 stole away H1589 unawares H3820 to Laban H3837 the Syrian, H761 in that H5921 he told H5046 him not H1097 that he fled. H1272
21 So he fled H1272 with all that he had; and he rose up, H6965 and passed over H5674 the river, H5104 and set H7760 his face H6440 toward the mount H2022 Gilead. H1568
22 And it was told H5046 Laban H3837 on the third H7992 day H3117 that Jacob H3290 was fled. H1272
23 And he took H3947 his brethren H251 with him, and pursued H7291 after him H310 seven H7651 days' H3117 journey; H1870 and they overtook H1692 him in the mount H2022 Gilead. H1568
24 And God H430 came H935 to Laban H3837 the Syrian H761 in a dream H2472 by night, H3915 and said H559 unto him, Take heed H8104 that thou speak H1696 not to H5973 Jacob H3290 either good H2896 or H5704 bad. H7451
25 Then Laban H3837 overtook H5381 Jacob. H3290 Now Jacob H3290 had pitched H8628 his tent H168 in the mount: H2022 and Laban H3837 with his brethren H251 pitched H8628 in the mount H2022 of Gilead. H1568
26 And Laban H3837 said H559 to Jacob, H3290 What hast thou done, H6213 that thou hast stolen away H1589 unawares H3824 to me, and carried away H5090 my daughters, H1323 as captives H7617 taken with the sword? H2719
27 Wherefore didst thou flee away H1272 secretly, H2244 and steal away H1589 from me; and didst not tell H5046 me, that I might have sent thee away H7971 with mirth, H8057 and with songs, H7892 with tabret, H8596 and with harp? H3658
28 And hast not suffered H5203 me to kiss H5401 my sons H1121 and my daughters? H1323 thou hast now done foolishly H5528 in so doing. H6213
29 It is H3426 in the power H410 of my hand H3027 to do H6213 you hurt: H7451 but the God H430 of your father H1 spake H559 unto me yesternight, H570 saying, H559 Take thou heed H8104 that thou speak not H1696 to Jacob H3290 either good H2896 or bad. H7451
30 And now, though thou wouldest needs H1980 be gone, H1980 because thou sore H3700 longedst H3700 after thy father's H1 house, H1004 yet wherefore hast thou stolen H1589 my gods? H430
31 And Jacob H3290 answered H6030 and said H559 to Laban, H3837 Because I was afraid: H3372 for I said, H559 Peradventure H6435 thou wouldest take by force H1497 thy daughters H1323 from me.
32 With whomsoever H834 thou findest H4672 thy gods, H430 let him not live: H2421 before H5048 our brethren H251 discern H5234 thou what is thine with me, and take H3947 it to thee. For Jacob H3290 knew H3045 not that Rachel H7354 had stolen H1589 them.
33 And Laban H3837 went H935 into Jacob's H3290 tent, H168 and into Leah's H3812 tent, H168 and into the two H8147 maidservants' H519 tents; H168 but he found H4672 them not. Then went he out H3318 of Leah's H3812 tent, H168 and entered H935 into Rachel's H7354 tent. H168
34 Now Rachel H7354 had taken H3947 the images, H8655 and put H7760 them in the camel's H1581 furniture, H3733 and sat H3427 upon them. And Laban H3837 searched H4959 all the tent, H168 but found H4672 them not.
35 And she said H559 to her father, H1 Let it not displease H2734 H5869 my lord H113 that I cannot H3201 rise up H6965 before thee; H6440 for the custom H1870 of women H802 is upon me. And he searched, H2664 but found H4672 not the images. H8655
36 And Jacob H3290 was wroth, H2734 and chode H7378 with Laban: H3837 and Jacob H3290 answered H6030 and said H559 to Laban, H3837 What is my trespass? H6588 what is my sin, H2403 that thou hast so hotly pursued H1814 after me? H310
37 Whereas H3588 thou hast searched H4959 all my stuff, H3627 what hast thou found H4672 of all thy household H1004 stuff? H3627 set H7760 it here H3541 before my brethren H251 and thy brethren, H251 that they may judge H3198 betwixt H996 us both. H8147
38 This twenty H6242 years H8141 have I been with thee; thy ewes H7353 and thy she goats H5795 have not cast their young, H7921 and the rams H352 of thy flock H6629 have I not eaten. H398
39 That which was torn H2966 of beasts I brought H935 not unto thee; I bare the loss H2398 of it; of my hand H3027 didst thou require H1245 it, whether stolen H1589 by day, H3117 or stolen H1589 by night. H3915
40 Thus I was; in the day H3117 the drought H2721 consumed H398 me, and the frost H7140 by night; H3915 and my sleep H8142 departed H5074 from mine eyes. H5869
41 Thus have I been twenty H6242 years H8141 in thy house; H1004 I served thee H5647 fourteen H702 H6240 years H8141 for thy two H8147 daughters, H1323 and six H8337 years H8141 for thy cattle: H6629 and thou hast changed H2498 my wages H4909 ten H6235 times. H4489
42 Except H3884 the God H430 of my father, H1 the God H430 of Abraham, H85 and the fear H6343 of Isaac, H3327 had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away H7971 now empty. H7387 God H430 hath seen H7200 mine affliction H6040 and the labour H3018 of my hands, H3709 and rebuked H3198 thee yesternight. H570
43 And Laban H3837 answered H6030 and said H559 unto Jacob, H3290 These daughters H1323 are my daughters, H1323 and these children H1121 are my children, H1121 and these cattle H6629 are my cattle, H6629 and all that thou seest H7200 is mine: and what can I do H6213 this day H3117 unto these my daughters, H1323 or H176 unto their children H1121 which they have born? H3205
44 Now therefore come thou, H3212 let us make H3772 a covenant, H1285 I and thou; and let it be for a witness H5707 between me and thee.
45 And Jacob H3290 took H3947 a stone, H68 and set it up H7311 for a pillar. H4676
46 And Jacob H3290 said H559 unto his brethren, H251 Gather H3950 stones; H68 and they took H3947 stones, H68 and made H6213 an heap: H1530 and they did eat H398 there upon the heap. H1530
47 And Laban H3837 called H7121 it Jegarsahadutha: H3026 but Jacob H3290 called H7121 it Galeed. H1567
48 And Laban H3837 said, H559 This heap H1530 is a witness H5707 between me and thee this day. H3117 Therefore was the name H8034 of it called H7121 Galeed; H1567
49 And Mizpah; H4709 for H834 he said, H559 The LORD H3068 watch H6822 between me and thee, when we are absent H5641 one H376 from another. H7453
50 If thou shalt afflict H6031 my daughters, H1323 or if thou shalt take H3947 other wives H802 beside H5921 my daughters, H1323 no man H376 is with us; see, H7200 God H430 is witness H5707 betwixt me and thee.
51 And Laban H3837 said H559 to Jacob, H3290 Behold this heap, H1530 and behold this pillar, H4676 which I have cast H3384 betwixt me and thee;
52 This heap H1530 be witness, H5707 and this pillar H4676 be witness, H5713 that I will not pass over H5674 this heap H1530 to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over H5674 this heap H1530 and this pillar H4676 unto me, for harm. H7451
53 The God H430 of Abraham, H85 and the God H430 of Nahor, H5152 the God H430 of their father, H1 judge H8199 betwixt us. And Jacob H3290 sware H7650 by the fear H6343 of his father H1 Isaac. H3327
54 Then Jacob H3290 offered H2076 sacrifice H2077 upon the mount, H2022 and called H7121 his brethren H251 to eat H398 bread: H3899 and they did eat H398 bread, H3899 and tarried all night H3885 in the mount. H2022
55 And early H7925 in the morning H1242 Laban H3837 rose up, H7925 and kissed H5401 his sons H1121 and his daughters, H1323 and blessed H1288 them: and Laban H3837 departed, H3212 and returned H7725 unto his place. H4725
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Genesis 31
Commentary on Genesis 31 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 31
Ge 31:1-21. Envy of Laban and Sons.
1. he heard the words of Laban's sons—It must have been from rumor that Jacob got knowledge of the invidious reflections cast upon him by his cousins; for they were separated at the distance of three days' journey.
2. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban—literally, "was not the same as yesterday, and the day before," a common Oriental form of speech. The insinuations against Jacob's fidelity by Laban's sons, and the sullen reserve, the churlish conduct, of Laban himself, had made Jacob's situation, in his uncle's establishment, most trying and painful. It is always one of the vexations attendant on worldly prosperity, that it excites the envy of others (Ec 4:4); and that, however careful a man is to maintain a good conscience, he cannot always reckon on maintaining a good name, in a censorious world. This, Jacob experienced; and it is probable that, like a good man, he had asked direction and relief in prayer.
3. the Lord said … Return unto the land of thy fathers—Notwithstanding the ill usage he had received, Jacob might not have deemed himself at liberty to quit his present sphere, under the impulse of passionate fretfulness and discontent. Having been conducted to Haran by God (Ge 28:15) and having got a promise that the same heavenly Guardian would bring him again into the land of Canaan, he might have thought he ought not to leave it, without being clearly persuaded as to the path of duty. So ought we to set the Lord before us, and to acknowledge Him in all our ways, our journeys, our settlements, and plans in life.
4. Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah—His wives and family were in their usual residence. Whether he wished them to be present at the festivities of sheep shearing, as some think; or, because he could not leave his flock, he called them both to come to him, in order that, having resolved on immediate departure, he might communicate his intentions. Rachel and Leah only were called, for the other two wives, being secondary and still in a state of servitude, were not entitled to be taken into account. Jacob acted the part of a dutiful husband in telling them his plans; for husbands that love their wives should consult with them and trust in them (Pr 31:11).
6. ye know that … I have served your father—Having stated his strong grounds of dissatisfaction with their father's conduct and the ill requital he had got for all his faithful services, he informed them of the blessing of God that had made him rich notwithstanding Laban's design to ruin him; and finally, of the command from God he had received to return to his own country, that they might not accuse him of caprice, or disaffection to their family; but be convinced, that in resolving to depart, he acted from a principle of religious obedience.
14. Rachel and Leah answered—Having heard his views, they expressed their entire approval; and from grievances of their own, they were fully as desirous of a separation as himself. They display not only conjugal affection, but piety in following the course described—"whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do" [Ge 31:16]. "Those that are really their husbands' helpmeets will never be their hindrances in doing that to which God calls them" [Henry].
17. Then Jacob rose up—Little time is spent by pastoral people in removing. The striking down the tents and poles and stowing them among their other baggage; the putting their wives and children in houdas like cradles, on the backs of camels, or in panniers on asses; and the ranging of the various parts of the flock under the respective shepherds; all this is a short process. A plain that is covered in the morning with a long array of tents and with browsing flocks, may, in a few hours, appear so desolate that not a vestige of the encampment remains, except the holes in which the tent poles had been fixed.
18. he carried the cattle of his getting—that is, his own and nothing more. He did not indemnify himself for his many losses by carrying off any thing of Laban's, but was content with what Providence had given him. Some may think that due notice should have been given; but when a man feels himself in danger—the law of self-preservation prescribes the duty of immediate flight, if it can be done consistently with conscience.
20. Jacob stole away—The result showed the prudence and necessity of departing secretly; otherwise, Laban might have detained him by violence or artifice.
Ge 31:22-55. Laban Pursues Jacob—Their Covenant at Gilead.
22-24. it was told Laban on the third day—No sooner did the news reach Laban than he set out in pursuit, and he being not encumbered, advanced rapidly; whereas Jacob, with a young family and numerous flocks, had to march slowly, so that he overtook the fugitives after seven days' journey as they lay encamped on the brow of mount Gilead, an extensive range of hills forming the eastern boundary of Canaan. Being accompanied by a number of his people, he might have used violence had he not been divinely warned in a dream to give no interruption to his nephew's journey. How striking and sudden a change! For several days he had been full of rage, and was now in eager anticipation that his vengeance would be fully wreaked, when lo! his hands are tied by invisible power (Ps 76:10). He did not dare to touch Jacob, but there was a war of words.
26-30. Laban said … What hast thou done?—Not a word is said of the charge (Ge 31:1). His reproaches were of a different kind. His first charge was for depriving him of the satisfaction of giving Jacob and his family the usual salutations at parting. In the East it is customary, when any are setting out to a great distance, for their relatives and friends to accompany them a considerable way with music and valedictory songs. Considering the past conduct of Laban, his complaint on this ground was hypocritical cant. But his second charge was a grave one—the carrying off his gods—Hebrew, "teraphim," small images of human figures, used not as idols or objects of worship, but as talismans, for superstitious purposes.
31, 32. Jacob said, … With whomsoever thou findest thy gods let him not live—Conscious of his own innocence and little suspecting the misdeed of his favorite wife, Jacob boldly challenged a search and denounced the heaviest penalty on the culprit. A personal scrutiny was made by Laban, who examined every tent [Ge 31:33]; and having entered Rachel's last, he would have infallibly discovered the stolen images had not Rachel made an appeal to him which prevented further search [Ge 31:34, 35].
34. Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them—The common pack saddle is often used as a seat or a cushion, against which a person squatted on the floor may lean.
36, 37. Jacob was wroth—Recrimination on his part was natural in the circumstances, and, as usual, when passion is high, the charges took a wide range. He rapidly enumerated his grievances for twenty years and in a tone of unrestrained severity described the niggard character and vexatious exactions of his uncle, together with the hardships of various kinds he had patiently endured.
38. The rams of thy flock have I not eaten—Eastern people seldom kill the females for food except they are barren.
39. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee—The shepherds are strictly responsible for losses in the flock, unless they can prove these were occasioned by wild beasts.
40. in the day the drought … and the frost by night—The temperature changes often in twenty-four hours from the greatest extremes of heat and cold, most trying to the shepherd who has to keep watch by his flocks. Much allowance must be made for Jacob. Great and long-continued provocations ruffle the mildest and most disciplined tempers. It is difficult to "be angry and sin not" [Eph 4:26]. But these two relatives, after having given utterance to their pent-up feelings, came at length to a mutual understanding, or rather, God influenced Laban to make reconciliation with his injured nephew (Pr 16:7).
44. Come thou, let us make a covenant—The way in which this covenant was ratified was by a heap of stones being laid in a circular pile, to serve as seats, and in the center of this circle a large one was set up perpendicularly for an altar. It is probable that a sacrifice was first offered, and then that the feast of reconciliation was partaken of by both parties seated on the stones around it. To this day heaps of stones, which have been used as memorials, are found abundantly in the region where this transaction took place.
52. This heap be witness—Objects of nature were frequently thus spoken of. But over and above, there was a solemn appeal to God; and it is observable that there was a marked difference in the religious sentiments of the two. Laban spake of the God of Abraham and Nahor, their common ancestors; but Jacob, knowing that idolatry had crept in among that branch of the family, swore by the "fear of his father Isaac." They who have one God should have one heart: they who are agreed in religion should endeavor to agree in everything else.