Genesis 31:18

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

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Genesis 31:18 In-Context

16 All the property which God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children; now then, whatever God has said to you, do."

17 So Jacob arose, and set his sons and his wives on camels;

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

19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.

20 And Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.