Genesis 31:22-32

Laban Pursues Jacob

22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled.
23 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.
24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too.
26 Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war.
27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps?
28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing.
29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”
31 Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.
32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.

Genesis 31:22-32 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.

Cross References 25

  • 1. S Genesis 30:36
  • 2. S ver 21
  • 3. ver 37
  • 4. Exodus 14:9
  • 5. S ver 21
  • 6. S Genesis 25:20
  • 7. S Genesis 20:3; Job 33:15
  • 8. S Genesis 24:50
  • 9. S ver 21
  • 10. S Genesis 12:18
  • 11. S Genesis 27:36
  • 12. Genesis 34:29; 1 Samuel 30:2-3
  • 13. ver 20
  • 14. Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 10:5; 2 Samuel 6:5; Psalms 68:25; Isaiah 24:8; Jeremiah 31:4
  • 15. S Genesis 4:21
  • 16. ver 55; S Genesis 27:27; Ruth 1:14; Acts 20:37
  • 17. S ver 7; S Genesis 26:29
  • 18. S ver 5; ver 53
  • 19. S Genesis 24:50
  • 20. S Genesis 28:15; Job 29:2
  • 21. Genesis 44:8
  • 22. S ver 19; Judges 18:24
  • 23. S Genesis 20:11
  • 24. Genesis 44:9
  • 25. S ver 19
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