Genesis 31:2

2 Then Jacob saw the face of Laban and, behold, {it was not like it had been in the past}.

Genesis 31:2 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:2

And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban
Upon this he observed Laban's looks, that he might gather from thence how he took his prosperity; what were his thoughts about it, and what he might expect from him on that account: and, behold, it [was] not towards him as before;
he said nothing to Jacob, nor charged him with robbing of him, or any false dealing with him, yet was uneasy at his growing prosperity; he put on sour looks, and an envious countenance, sad, and surly, and lowering; so that Jacob saw it foreboded no good to him, and therefore thought it most advisable to depart as soon as he could; though perhaps he first sought the Lord about it, who spoke to him as in ( Genesis 31:3 ) .

Genesis 31:2 In-Context

1 Now he heard the words of the sons of Laban, saying, "Jacob has taken all that our father has," and "From that which [was] our father's he has gained all this wealth."

2 Then Jacob saw the face of Laban and, behold, {it was not like it had been in the past}.

3 And Yahweh said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your ancestors and to your family, and I will be with you."

4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flocks,

5 and he said to them, "Look, I see the face of your father, that {it is not like it has been toward me in the past}. But the God of my father is with me.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "there was not with him like yesterday or the day before"