Genesis 31:20

20 And Jacob went away secretly, without giving news of his flight to Laban the Aramaean.

Genesis 31:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:20

And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian
Went away without his knowledge, or giving him any notice of it; he was too cunning for Laban the Syrian; notwithstanding his astrology and superstitious arts, which the Syrians are addicted to, he had no foresight of this matter: or he "stole away the heart of Laban" ^F2, that which his heart was set upon; not his gods, these Rachel stole away; nor his daughters, for whom he does not appear to have had any great affection and respect; but rather the cattle and goods Jacob took with him, which Laban's eye and heart were upon, and hoped to get into his possession by one means, or at one time or another; but the former sense, that he "stole from" his heart ^F4, or stole away without his knowledge, seems best to agree with what follows; in that he told him not that he fled;
or that he designed to go away, and was about to do it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (bl ta-bngy) "furatus est cor", Tigurine version, Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Drasius, Cartwright.
F4 "Furatus a corde Labanis", Piscator.

Genesis 31:20 In-Context

18 And sending on before him all his cattle and his property which he had got together in Paddan-aram, he made ready to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

19 Now Laban had gone to see to the cutting of the wool of his sheep; so Rachel secretly took the images of the gods of her father's house.

20 And Jacob went away secretly, without giving news of his flight to Laban the Aramaean.

21 So he went away with all he had, and went across the River in the direction of the hill-country of Gilead.

22 And on the third day Laban had news of Jacob's flight.