Genesis 31:30

30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”

Genesis 31:30 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
English Standard Version (ESV)
30 And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father's house, but why did you steal my gods?"
New Living Translation (NLT)
30 I can understand your feeling that you must go, and your intense longing for your father’s home. But why have you stolen my gods?”
The Message Bible (MSG)
30 I understand. You left because you were homesick. But why did you steal my household gods?"
American Standard Version (ASV)
30 And now, [though] thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, [yet] wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
30 Now you have left for your father's home because you were so homesick. But why did you steal my gods?"
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
30 Now you have gone off because you long for your father-but why have you stolen my gods?"
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
30 "Now you have run away. You longed to go back to your father's home. But why did you have to steal my gods?"

Genesis 31:30 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:30

And now, [though] thou wouldest needs be gone
Or, "in going wouldest go" F9, was determined upon it, and in haste to do it: because thou sore longedst after thy father's house,
or "desiring didst desire it" F11; had a vehement desire for it, which Laban signifies he should not have opposed, if he had let him know his mind: but be it so that he had ever so great desire to leave him and return to his father's house, says he, [yet], wherefore, hast thou stolen my gods?
what reason had he for that? if he took away himself, his wives, his children, his goods, what business had he with his gods? he could not claim these as his, meaning the images or teraphim before mentioned, ( Genesis 31:19 ) ; by which it appears that Laban was some way or other guilty of idolatry in the use of these images; looking upon them as types, or representations of God, as Josephus F12 calls them, and worshipped God in them, or along with them and by them; for he could never think they were truly and really gods, that could not preserve themselves from being stolen away, and that must be a poor god that a man may be robbed of.


FOOTNOTES:

F9 (tklh Klh) "eundo ivisti", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius.
F11 (htpokn Pok) "desiderando desiderabis", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius, Piscator.
F12 Antiqu. l. 1. c. 19. sect. 9.

Genesis 31:30 In-Context

28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing.
29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’
30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”
31 Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.
32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Genesis 28:15; Job 29:2
  • 2. Genesis 44:8
  • 3. S ver 19; Judges 18:24
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