Genesis 31:18

18 and set out with all of his livestock and all of his possessions that he had acquired in Paddan-aram in order to return to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 31:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:18

And he carried away all his cattle
His sheep, camels, and asses: the Jews say ^F25 he had 5,500 head of cattle: and all the goods which he had gotten:
all the rest besides his cattle; his menservants, and maidservants, and all his gold and his silver, and whatsoever else he had: the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram:
or Mesopotamia: this seems to be purposely observed, to show that he took nothing but what was his own getting, not anything that belonged to Laban: for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan;
but it was some years before he got to his father's house, staying at several places by the way. No mention is made of his mother Rebekah, she perhaps being now dead.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 Pirke Eliezer, c. 37. fol. 41.

Genesis 31:18 In-Context

16 All of the wealth God took from our father belongs to us and our children. Now, do everything God told you to do."

17 So Jacob got up, put his sons and wives on the camels,

18 and set out with all of his livestock and all of his possessions that he had acquired in Paddan-aram in order to return to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

19 Now, while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole the household's divine images that belonged to her father.

20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not sending word to him that he was leaving.

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX; MT includes he had acquired, the livestock in his possession.