Genesis 31:32

32 Bij wien gij uw goden vinden zult, laat hem niet leven! Onderken gij voor onze broederen, wat bij mij is, en neem het tot u. Want Jakob wist niet, dat Rachel dezelve gestolen had.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Genesis 31:32 In-Context

30 En nu, gij hebt immers willen vertrekken, omdat gij zo zeer begerig waart naar uws vaders huis; waarom hebt gij mijn goden gestolen?

31 Toen antwoordde Jakob, en zeide tot Laban: Omdat ik vreesde; want ik zeide: Opdat gij niet misschien uw dochteren mij ontweldigdet!

32 Bij wien gij uw goden vinden zult, laat hem niet leven! Onderken gij voor onze broederen, wat bij mij is, en neem het tot u. Want Jakob wist niet, dat Rachel dezelve gestolen had.

33 Toen ging Laban in de tent van Jakob, en in de tent van Lea, en in de tent van de beide dienstmaagden, en hij vond niets; en als hij uit de tent van Lea gegaan was, kwam hij in de tent van Rachel.

34 Maar Rachel had de terafim genomen, en zij had die in een kemels zadeltuig gelegd, en zij zat op dezelve. En Laban betastte die ganse tent, en hij vond niets.