And Isaac sent away Jacob
From Beersheba; not in anger, or in a dishonourable way, but took
his leave of him no doubt in an affectionate manner; as it is
clear he went with his blessing, and had his good wishes for a
prosperous journey: and he went to Padanaram;
which from Beersheba, according to some F8, was
four hundred and eighty miles: unto Laban, son of Bethuel
the Syrian;
some versions make Laban to be the Syrian, others Bethuel; it is
a matter of no great moment which is here so called, since they
were both called Syrians, see ( Genesis
25:20 ) : the brother of Rebekah;
this refers to Laban, for Bethuel was her father: Jacob's
and Esau's mother;
Jacob is set first, not only as being most beloved by his mother,
but as now having the birthright and the blessing.
F8 Bunting's Travels, p. 72.