Genesis 31:13-23

13 I am the God of Beit-El, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your birth."

14 Rachel and Le'ah answered him, "Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

15 Aren't we accounted by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and has also quite devoured our money.

16 For all the riches which God has taken away from our father, that is ours and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do."

17 Then Ya`akov rose up, and set his sons and his wives on the camels,

18 and he carried away all his cattle, and all his substance which he had gathered, the cattle of his getting, which he had gathered in Paddan-Aram, to go to Yitzchak his father to the land of Kana`an.

19 Now Lavan had gone to shear his sheep: and Rachel stole the terafim that were her father's.

20 Ya`akov deceived Lavan the Arammian, in that he didn't tell him that he was running away.

21 So he fled with all that he had. He rose up, passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain of Gil`ad.

22 Lavan was told on the third day that Ya`akov had fled.

23 He took his relatives with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gil`ad.

Genesis 31:13-23 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.