Genesis 31:4

4 And Jacob sent and called Lea and Rachel to the plain where the flocks were.

Genesis 31:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:4

And Jacob sent
Having this encouragement and direction from the Lord, which seems to have been given him in the field, while he was attending his flocks, he dispatched a messenger home to his wives, one of his servants or under shepherds. The Targum of Jonathan says it was his son Naphtali, whom he sent, because he was a swift messenger; the Targumist alludes to ( Genesis 49:21 ) ; but the former is more probable; and called Rachel and Leah;
Rachel is mentioned first, as being his proper and lawful wife, and is only called so, ( Genesis 46:19 ) ; and it was for her sake Jacob had Leah. Jacob, like a prudent man and an affectionate husband, thought proper to acquaint his wives with his case, and advise with them, and neither leave them nor take them away suddenly and by force; and therefore sent for them, to the field unto his flock;
where he was feeding his flock: this he might do for divers reasons; he might not judge it so proper and convenient to go home to them, since it might be difficult to get one of them to come to the apartment of the other; and it was proper they should be together, and that might cause some suspicion in Laban's family, who might listen to overhear what passed between them; and besides, he might be afraid of Laban and his sons, that being in such an ill temper they would lay violent hands on him, and do him a mischief; and therefore he sent for his wives to him in the field, where they could more privately and freely converse together, without being overheard or interrupted, and the flock in the mean while not neglected.

Genesis 31:4 In-Context

2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and behold it was not toward him as before.

3 And the Lord said to Jacob, Return to the land of thy father, and to thy family, and I will be with thee.

4 And Jacob sent and called Lea and Rachel to the plain where the flocks were.

5 And he said to them, I see the face of your father, that it is not toward me as before, but the God of my father was with me.

6 And ye too know that with all my might I have served your father.