Genesis 31:19-29

19 When Laban had gone to shear his flock, then Rachel stole the 1household idols that were her father's.
20 And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing.
21 So he fled with all that he had; and he arose and crossed the Euphrates River, and set his face toward the hill country of 2Gilead.

Laban Pursues Jacob

22 When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled,
23 then he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him a distance of seven days' journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.
24 3God came to Laban the Aramean in a 4dream of the night and said to him, "5Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad."
25 Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen camped in the hill country of Gilead.
26 Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done by deceiving me and carrying away my daughters like captives of the sword?
27 "Why did you flee secretly and deceive me, and did not tell me so that I might have sent you away with joy and with songs, with 6timbrel and with 7lyre;
28 and did not allow me 8to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now you have done foolishly.
29 "It is in my power to do you harm, but 9the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, '10Be careful not to speak either good or bad to Jacob.'

Genesis 31:19-29 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 10

  • 1. Genesis 31:30, 34; Genesis 35:2; Judges 17:5; 1 Samuel 19:13; Hosea 3:4
  • 2. Genesis 37:25
  • 3. Genesis 20:3; Genesis 31:29
  • 4. Genesis 20:3, 6; Genesis 31:11
  • 5. Genesis 24:50; Genesis 31:7, 29
  • 6. Exodus 15:20
  • 7. Genesis 4:21
  • 8. Genesis 31:55
  • 9. Gen 31:5, 24, 42, 53
  • 10. Genesis 31:24

Footnotes 9

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