Genesis 31 Study Notes

31:31-35 Jacob was apparently afraid that Laban would treat him as a slave and take his wives away by force (Ex 21:3-4). Ignorant of what his favorite wife Rachel had done, Jacob promised death for the person possessing Laban’s household gods. As shrewd and deceptive as her father Laban, Rachel prevented him from checking the saddlebags by claiming she was having her monthly period. During that phase of a woman’s monthly cycle, anything she sat on became ceremonially unclean and was not to be touched by others (Lv 15:26).

31:36-43 Jacob unleashed a torrent of pent-up anger at Laban, noting seven ways in which he had helped his father-in-law and labored selflessly on his behalf. Then Jacob confessed that Yahweh, the God of his grandfather Abraham, alternately known as the Fear of Isaac (vv. 42 and 53 are the only use of this term in the Bible), saw Jacob’s affliction, protected him from financial ruin, and issued a verdict on his behalf. In response, Laban expressed his disgust by insisting that everything Jacob had was rightfully his.

31:44-55 To end the dispute, Laban proposed that he and Jacob make a covenant that would bring peace and a separation between the Israelite (Jacob’s) and the Aramean (Laban’s) branches of the Terah clan. In classic ancient Near Eastern treaty tradition, the covenant-making event consisted of building a sacred stone and a mound (Jegar-sahadutha, or Galeed [“Mound of Witness”]), the calling of witnesses (the covenant itself, the marker, and the mound), a preliminary ceremonial meal, expression of the covenant terms, invocation of deities that would oversee the covenant (the God of Abraham, and the gods of Nahor), and a concluding ceremonial meal.

Qara’ means call, call out (Gn 3:9), cry out (Is 40:3), shout (Jdg 7:20), scream (Gn 39:14), cry for (Ps 147:9), or say (Jb 17:14). Qara’ connotes address (Gn 46:33), proclaim (Ex 33:19), make a proclamation or claim (Is 59:4), announce (Is 40:2), report (Is 21:8), or publicize (Pr 12:23). It denotes summon (Lv 10:4), send for (Gn 12:18), call together (Gn 20:8), invite (1Sm 16:3), make an offer (Dt 20:10), or provoke (Pr 18:6). Passive participles can be rendered guest (Pr 9:18) or chosen (Nm 26:9). Qara’ signifies appoint (Ex 31:2) or read (Jr 36:6). It indicates be called (Gn 16:14), renaming (Nm 13:16), giving names (Ps 147:4), or calling as naming (Gn 2:19). “Call a name” implies be well known (Ru 4:11). Call on the name of the Lord (Gn 4:26) suggests prayer or worship (Gn 12:8). Passives imply be traced (Gn 21:12), be mentioned again (Is 14:20), or known as (Is 48:8).