Genesis 31:4-9

4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was
5 and said to them, 1"I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father 2has been with me.
6 3You know that I have served your father with all my strength,
7 yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages 4ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.
8 If he said, 5'The spotted shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, 'The striped shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore striped.
9 Thus God has 6taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.

Genesis 31:4-9 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.

Cross References 6

  • 1. ver. 2
  • 2. ver. 3
  • 3. ver. 38-40; Genesis 30:29
  • 4. ver. 41; [Numbers 14:22; Nehemiah 4:12; Job 19:3; Zechariah 8:23]
  • 5. Genesis 30:32
  • 6. ver. 1
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