Genesis 31:1-6

Jacob’s household leaves Laban

1 Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob took everything our father owned and from it he produced all of this wealth."
2 And Jacob saw that Laban no longer liked him as much as he used to.
3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your ancestors and to your relatives, and I will be with you."
4 So Jacob sent for Rachel and Leah and summoned them into the field where his flock was.
5 He said to them, "I am aware that your father no longer likes me as much as he used to. But my father's God has been with me.
6 You know that I've worked for your father as hard as I could.

Genesis 31:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 31

This chapter relates how that Jacob observing that Laban and his sons envied his prosperity, and having a call from God to return to his own country, acquaints his wives with it; and reports to them Laban's ill usage of him, and the wonderful appearance of God to him, and for him, and his orders to him to depart from thence, Ge 31:1-13; to which they agreed, knowing full well their father's unkindness, and that they had nothing to expect from him, and therefore judged it best to go off with what they had got through the gift of God unto them, Ge 31:14-16; upon which Jacob set out privately, with all he had, towards his own country, while Laban was shearing his sheep, Ge 31:17-21; three days after, Laban, being informed of it, pursued after Jacob, and overtook him at Mount Gilead; but was warned by the way to be cautious what he said to him, Ge 31:22-25; yet nevertheless he warmly expostulated with him about his secret flight, not giving him the opportunity of taking his leave of his children, and especially for taking away his gods, Ge 31:26-30; to which Jacob gave an answer, Ge 31:31-35; and in his turn was warm likewise, and chided Laban severely for his hot pursuit of him, his charge of stealth, when he could find nothing on him, his hard labour for the space of twenty years with him, and his ill requital of him for it, Ge 31:36-42; however, upon the whole, an amicable agreement was made between them, and they parted in a friendly manner, Ge 31:43-55.

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