Genesis 31:20

20 And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing.

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 drove away all his livestock and all his property which he had gathered, his acquired livestock which he had gathered in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac.

19 When Laban had gone to shear his flock, then Rachel stole the household idols that were her father's.

20 And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing.

21 So he fled with all that he had; and he arose and crossed the Euphrates River, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.

22 When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled,

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "stole the heart of"