Genesis 31:20

20 Ya`akov deceived Lavan the Arammian, in that he didn't tell him that he was running away.

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 he carried away all his cattle, and all his substance which he had gathered, the cattle of his getting, which he had gathered in Paddan-Aram, to go to Yitzchak his father to the land of Kana`an.

19 Now Lavan had gone to shear his sheep: and Rachel stole the terafim that were her father's.

20 Ya`akov deceived Lavan the Arammian, in that he didn't tell him that he was running away.

21 So he fled with all that he had. He rose up, passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain of Gil`ad.

22 Lavan was told on the third day that Ya`akov had fled.