Genesi 31:1

1 OR egli udì le parole de’ figliuoli di Labano, che dicevano: Giacobbe ha tolto a nostro padre tutto il suo avere; e di quello ch’era di nostra padre, egli ha acquistata tutta questa dovizia.

Genesi 31:1 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:1

And he heard the words of Laban's sons
That is, Jacob, as is expressed in the Septuagint and Syriac versions, either with his own ears, overhearing their discourse in their tents, or in the field, or from the report of others, his wives or some of his friends, who thought proper to acquaint him with it; these were the sons of Laban, who had the care of the cattle committed to them, separated by the direction of Jacob, and with the consent of Laban, ( Genesis 30:35 ) ; saying, Jacob hath taken away all that [was] our father's;
meaning not precisely all that their father had, for that would have been a downright lie; for what was become of them that were committed to their care? besides, we afterwards read of Laban's shearing his sheep, ( Genesis 31:19 ) ; but that all that Jacob had was their father's, and he had taken it away from him, if not by force and stealth, yet by fraud; and so Jacob might fear he would treat him in an ill manner, and therefore began to think it was high time for him to be gone: and of [that] which [was] our father's hath he gotten all the glory;
his many servants, numerous cattle, sheep, camels and asses, in which carnal men place all their happiness; or those riches, as the Targum of Jonathan, by which he got the name and glory of a rich man among men: and it was so far true what they say, that it was out of their father's flock that Jacob got all his increase; but then it was according to a covenant that Laban and he entered into, and therefore was obtained in a just and lawful manner.

Genesi 31:1 In-Context

1 OR egli udì le parole de’ figliuoli di Labano, che dicevano: Giacobbe ha tolto a nostro padre tutto il suo avere; e di quello ch’era di nostra padre, egli ha acquistata tutta questa dovizia.

2 Giacobbe ancora vide che la faccia di Labano non era verso lui qual soleva esser per addietro.

3 E il Signore disse a Giacobbe: Ritornatene al paese de’ tuoi, ed al tuo luogo natio, ed io sarò teco.

4 E Giacobbe mandò a chiamar Rachele e Lea, a’ campi, presso della sua greggia.

5 E disse loro: Io veggo che la faccia di vostro padre non è inverso me qual soleva esser per addietro; e pur l’Iddio di mio padre è stato meco.