Genesis 31:19-29

19 eo tempore Laban ierat ad tondendas oves et Rahel furata est idola patris sui
20 noluitque Iacob confiteri socero quod fugeret
21 cumque abisset tam ipse quam omnia quae iuris eius erant et amne transmisso pergeret contra montem Galaad
22 nuntiatum est Laban die tertio quod fugeret Iacob
23 qui adsumptis fratribus suis persecutus est eum diebus septem et conprehendit in monte Galaad
24 viditque in somnis dicentem sibi Dominum cave ne quicquam aspere loquaris contra Iacob
25 iamque Iacob extenderat in monte tabernaculum cum ille consecutus eum cum fratribus suis in eodem monte Galaad fixit tentorium
26 et dixit ad Iacob quare ita egisti ut clam me abigeres filias meas quasi captivas gladio
27 cur ignorante me fugere voluisti nec indicare mihi ut prosequerer te cum gaudio et canticis et tympanis et cithara
28 non es passus ut oscularer filios meos ac filias stulte operatus es et nunc
29 valet quidem manus mea reddere tibi malum sed Deus patris vestri heri dixit mihi cave ne loquaris cum Iacob quicquam durius

Genesis 31:19-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 31

This chapter relates how that Jacob observing that Laban and his sons envied his prosperity, and having a call from God to return to his own country, acquaints his wives with it; and reports to them Laban's ill usage of him, and the wonderful appearance of God to him, and for him, and his orders to him to depart from thence, Ge 31:1-13; to which they agreed, knowing full well their father's unkindness, and that they had nothing to expect from him, and therefore judged it best to go off with what they had got through the gift of God unto them, Ge 31:14-16; upon which Jacob set out privately, with all he had, towards his own country, while Laban was shearing his sheep, Ge 31:17-21; three days after, Laban, being informed of it, pursued after Jacob, and overtook him at Mount Gilead; but was warned by the way to be cautious what he said to him, Ge 31:22-25; yet nevertheless he warmly expostulated with him about his secret flight, not giving him the opportunity of taking his leave of his children, and especially for taking away his gods, Ge 31:26-30; to which Jacob gave an answer, Ge 31:31-35; and in his turn was warm likewise, and chided Laban severely for his hot pursuit of him, his charge of stealth, when he could find nothing on him, his hard labour for the space of twenty years with him, and his ill requital of him for it, Ge 31:36-42; however, upon the whole, an amicable agreement was made between them, and they parted in a friendly manner, Ge 31:43-55.

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.