Genesis 31:30

30 Even though you had to go because you longed greatly for your father's house, why did you 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 And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? What you have done is foolish.
29 It is in my power to do you harm; but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, "Take heed that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.'
30 Even though you had to go because you longed greatly for your father's house, why did you steal my gods?"
31 Jacob answered Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.
32 But anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsfolk, point out what I have that is yours, and take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.