Genesis 31
Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.” 2 And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”
4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were. 5 He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I’ve worked for your father with all my strength, 7 yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me. 8 If he said, ‘The speckled ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, ‘The streaked ones will be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked young. 9 So God has taken away your father’s livestock and has given them to me.
10 “In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted. 11 The angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob.’ I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 12 And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.’”
14 Then Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father’s estate? 15 Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us. 16 Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you.”
17 Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels, 18 and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods. 20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away. 21 So he fled with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.
22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. 23 Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. 24 Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”
25 Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. 26 Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war. 27 Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps? 28 You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing. 29 I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30 Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”
31 Jacob answered Laban, “I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. 32 But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.
33 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah’s tent, he entered Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel’s saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.
35 Rachel said to her father, “Don’t be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I’m having my period.” So he searched but could not find the household gods.
36 Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. “What is my crime?” he asked Laban. “How have I wronged you that you hunt me down? 37 Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.
38 “I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 39 I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night. 40 This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 41 It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. 42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.”
43 Laban answered Jacob, “The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about the children they have borne? 44 Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.”
45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 He said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.
48 Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” That is why it was called Galeed. 49 It was also called Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. 50 If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.”
51 Laban also said to Jacob, “Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap and pillar to my side to harm me. 53 May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.”
So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there.
55 Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.
Genesis 31 Meaning
Genesis 31 recounts the story of Jacob leaving his father-in-law Laban and returning to his homeland. The verses highlight Jacob’s dissatisfaction with his situation at Laban’s house and his desire to reunite with his family. It also emphasizes God’s guidance and provision throughout this journey. Overall, these verses carry the themes of faithfulness, trust in God, and the importance of family.
Genesis 31 Commentary and Explanation
Genesis 31 provides us with an intriguing story of Jacob’s departure from his father-in-law Laban’s house.
At the beginning of the chapter, Jacob overhears Laban’s sons grumbling about him, which prompts him to discuss his situation with his wives, Rachel and Leah. We see that Jacob is aware of Laban’s deceitful ways, as he mentions how Laban has changed his wages ten times. This deception reminds us of Laban’s earlier deceit in marrying Jacob to Leah instead of Rachel (Genesis 29:21-25).
Jacob, realizing that it’s time to leave Laban’s house, calls his wives to his side and recounts a dream he had. In this dream, God instructs him to return to his homeland, promising His divine protection. Jacob’s decision to leave Laban is significant, as it marks his obedience to God’s guidance. This is reminiscent of Abraham’s obedience when he was called by God to leave his homeland and go to a new land (Genesis 12:1-4).
Rachel and Leah respond to Jacob’s plan with support, as they recognize the unfair treatment they’ve endured at their father’s hands. They acknowledge that Laban has sold them, and their agreement with Jacob reveals their loyalty to him. This loyalty contrasts with the earlier rivalry between Rachel and Leah over Jacob’s affection, highlighting how time and shared experiences have deepened their bond.
As Jacob prepares to leave, he devises a strategy to increase his wealth by selectively breeding Laban’s flock, taking the stronger and healthier animals as his own. Jacob’s actions here may raise questions about the ethics of his behavior, but we should note that Laban himself had manipulated Jacob’s wages and tried to cheat him in various ways. This selective breeding strategy ultimately fulfills God’s promise to bless Jacob with prosperity, as we have seen throughout Jacob’s journey.
Laban eventually confronts Jacob about his departure, accusing him of stealing his idols. Jacob, unaware that Rachel has stolen the idols, invites Laban to search his belongings. Rachel’s deceit in stealing the idols is a striking parallel to the deceitful actions of Laban and his household. It serves as a reminder that deception often begets deception.
As the chapter unfolds, we see Laban and Jacob engage in a tense conversation, revealing Laban’s true intentions. It becomes evident that Laban is more concerned with his personal idols than with his daughters’ well-being. Jacob passionately defends his honor and his work ethic, emphasizing how he has faithfully served Laban over the years.
The chapter concludes with a covenant between Laban and Jacob, symbolized by a pile of stones. This covenant serves as a boundary marker, ensuring that both parties would respect the agreement. Laban invokes the God of Abraham and Nahor as a witness, demonstrating that even Laban recognized the divine aspect of their covenant.
Ultimately, Genesis 31 provides us with a rich narrative that includes themes of loyalty, deception, divine guidance, and the consequences of deceit. Through this story, we witness Jacob’s obedience to God’s calling and his growth as a leader. We also see how Rachel and Leah’s loyalty to Jacob has evolved over time, and the chapter reminds us of the importance of honoring our commitments and covenants, even in the face of difficult circumstances.
Also Read: Genesis 26 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Genesis 31
Genesis 31 is part of the larger narrative of Jacob’s life, starting from when he fled from his brother Esau’s anger after deceiving their father Isaac for the blessing meant for Esau.
Jacob then worked for his uncle Laban, tending his flocks and marrying his daughters, Rachel and Leah. However, Jacob faces mistreatment from Laban, who changes his wages and manipulates him.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 31
a. Jacob’s discontent: Jacob is dissatisfied with Laban’s mistreatment and the changing agreement. Laban and his sons become jealous and hostile towards Jacob, causing him to realize that it is time to return to his homeland.
b. God’s command and promise: God speaks to Jacob and instructs him to go back to the land of his ancestors. He assures Jacob that He will be with him.
c. Rachel’s action: Rachel takes Laban’s idols, possibly as a form of security or a desire to hold on to her family’s heritage.
d. Laban’s pursuit: Laban pursues Jacob, enraged at his departure and believing that his idols were stolen.
e. God’s intervention: God warns Laban in a dream not to harm Jacob, preventing a potential conflict.
f. Jacob’s rebuke and recounting of loyalty: Jacob confronts Laban about his mistreatment and reminds him of his faithfulness and hard work over the years.
g. Covenant and boundary: Jacob and Laban make a covenant, pledging to not harm each other. They set up a pillar as a witness and establish a boundary between them.
Bible Study on Genesis 31
This passage reminds us of God’s faithfulness and guidance in our lives. Just as God directed Jacob to return to his homeland, even in the midst of difficulties, God is also leading and guiding us in our own journeys. We may face challenges and circumstances that threaten to deter us, but we can trust in God’s promises and seek His guidance.
Furthermore, Jacob’s confrontation with Laban shows the importance of addressing conflicts in a peaceful manner. Jacob calmly and respectfully expresses his grievances, and as a result, a resolution is reached between him and Laban. We should strive to follow this example in our own relationships, seeking reconciliation and peace even in difficult situations.
Lastly, Rachel’s actions remind us of the dangers of holding onto worldly possessions or idols. Although Rachel may have had her reasons for taking the idols, it ultimately created unnecessary tension and deceit. As Christians, we should guard our hearts against material attachments and prioritize our relationship with God above all else.
Final Thoughts
Genesis 31 teaches us valuable lessons about faith, trust, family, and conflict resolution. Just as Jacob trusted in God’s guidance and provision, we can also rely on God throughout our own journeys.
Let us remember to approach conflicts with grace and seek peaceful resolutions. May we also prioritize our relationship with God above worldly possessions or idols, understanding that He alone is our true source of security and satisfaction.