Genesis 31:18

18 And he took all his substance, and flocks, and whatsoever he had gotten in Mesopotamia, and went forward to Isaac, his father, to the land of Chanaan.

Genesis 31:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:18

And he carried away all his cattle
His sheep, camels, and asses: the Jews say F25 he had 5,500 head of cattle: and all the goods which he had gotten:
all the rest besides his cattle; his menservants, and maidservants, and all his gold and his silver, and whatsoever else he had: the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram:
or Mesopotamia: this seems to be purposely observed, to show that he took nothing but what was his own getting, not anything that belonged to Laban: for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan;
but it was some years before he got to his father's house, staying at several places by the way. No mention is made of his mother Rebekah, she perhaps being now dead.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Pirke Eliezer, c. 37. fol. 41.

Genesis 31:18 In-Context

16 But God hath taken our father’s riches, and delivered them to us, and to our children: wherefore, do all that God hath commanded thee.
17 Then Jacob rose up, and having set his children and wives upon camels, went his way.
18 And he took all his substance, and flocks, and whatsoever he had gotten in Mesopotamia, and went forward to Isaac, his father, to the land of Chanaan.
19 At that time Laban was gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole away her father’s idols.
20 And Jacob would not confess to his father in law that he was flying away.
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