Genesis 31:32

32 And Jacob said, With whomsoever thou shalt find thy gods, he shall not live in the presence of our brethren; take notice of what I have of thy property, and take it; and he observed nothing with him, but Jacob knew not that his wife Rachel had stolen them.

Genesis 31:32 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:32

With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live
This is the answer to his last question, as what goes before is to his first: Jacob knew nothing of their being taken away by any, and thought himself safe in saying what he did, being confident that no one with him could ever take them; but it was too rashly spoken by him, giving leave to Laban to put to death the person with whom they should be found, or imprecating death on him by the hand of God; "may he not live", but die, die immediately or before his time, as the Targum of Jonathan: hence the Jewish writers F13 observe, that Rachel died in giving birth in consequence of this imprecation, but without any foundation: before our brethren discern thou what [is] thine with me, and take
[it] to thee:
not only his gods, but any of his goods or cattle, whatsoever he could find in his tents, or in his flocks, that were his property, he was welcome to take; and this he declared before the men that Laban brought with him, whom he also calls his brethren, being his kinsfolks and neighbours; and these he appeals to as witnesses of his honesty, integrity, and fair dealing; being conscious to himself that he had took nothing but what was his own: for Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them;
the images or gods; or he would have been more careful of his expression, in love and tenderness to his most beloved wife.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 Jarchi in loc. Pirke Eliezer, c. 36.

Genesis 31:32 In-Context

30 Now then go on thy way, for thou hast earnestly desired to depart to the house of thy father; wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid; for I said, Lest at any time thou shouldest take away thy daughters from me, and all my possessions.
32 And Jacob said, With whomsoever thou shalt find thy gods, he shall not live in the presence of our brethren; take notice of what I have of thy property, and take it; and he observed nothing with him, but Jacob knew not that his wife Rachel had stolen them.
33 And Laban went in and searched in the house of Lea, and found not; and he went out of the house of Lea, and searched in the house of Jacob, and in the house of the two maid-servants, and found them not; and he went also into the house of Rachel.
34 And Rachel took the idols, and cast them among the camel's packs, and sat upon them.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.