When Jacob left Paddam Aram, he left very wealthy. Despite his punishment of exile from Canaan, God still blessed Jacob and his family. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#bless)
Although a few scholars believe the possession of the household gods was a sign of inheritance, this seems unlikely. It is probable that Rachel believed these idols would bring them "good luck" and would bring them great blessing. This was sinful because they were to trust in Yahweh, who already promised to bless them. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#falsegod and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#inherit and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#sin)
Laban's sons complained that Jacob cheated them out of their father's possessions. It was their father who tried to cheat Jacob out of what he promised to give Jacob. Jacob treated his brother Esau in the same way. Jacob cheated Esau out of their father's blessing.
This word is used here to mark a stop in the main story. Here the author starts to tell a new part of the story.
"Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying"
Laban's sons were exaggerating because they were angry. Alternate translation: "Everything that Jacob has taken belonged to our father" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-hyperbole)
These two sentences mean basically the same thing. The second explains the look that Jacob saw on Laban's face. Alternate translation: "Jacob noticed that Laban was no longer pleased with him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-parallelism)
"your father Isaac and your grandfather Abraham"
"Jacob sent for Rachel and Leah and told them to meet him out in the field with the flocks"
You can start a new sentence here. Alternate translation: "He said to them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-sentences)
"I have noticed your father is no longer pleased with me"
The word "you" here refers to both Rachel and Leah. It also adds emphasis. Alternate translation: "You yourselves know that I have served your father with all my strength" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)
"has lied to me" or "has not treated me fairly"
"what he said he would pay me"
Possible meanings are 1) physical harm or 2) to cause Jacob to suffer in any way.
"The animals with spots"
"the flock gave birth to"
"The animals with stripes"
"This is how God gave your father's animals to me"
Jacob continues his story to his wives Leah and Rachel.
"During the breeding season"
Here "flock" represents only the female goats. Alternate translation: "mating with the female goats of the flock" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
"had stripes, little spots, and big spots"
Possible meanings are 1) God himself appeared as a man or 2) one of God's messengers appeared. Since the phrase is not well understood, it is best to simply translate it as "the angel of God," using the normal word that you use for "angel."
"And I answered"
"Yes, I am listening" or "Yes, what is it?" See how you translated this in Genesis 22:1.
The angel of the Lord continues to talk to Jacob (Genesis 31:10).
This is a way of saying "Look up." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
Here "flock" stands for only the female goats. Alternate translation: "that are breeding with the female goats of the flock" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
"have stripes and spots"
Jacob poured oil on the pillar to dedicate it to God. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)
"the land where you were born"
This does not mean they talked at the same time. It emphasizes they agreed with each other.
Rachel and Leah use a question to emphasize that there is nothing left for their father to give. Alternate translation: "There is absolutely nothing left for us to inherit from our father!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
They use a question to show their anger about how their father treats them. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Our father treats us like a foreign women instead of daughters!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
This can be made more explicit. Alternate translation: "He has sold us for his own gain" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
Laban completely using up the money that he should have given to his daughters is spoken of as if he were a wild beast that ate the money as if it were food. Alternate translation: "he completely used up our money" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
"belongs to us and to our children"
Here "Now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
"do all that God has told you"
Jacob took all of his children. It only mentions the sons because they are important as his heirs. Alternate translation: "his children" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
"He drove all his cattle." Here "livestock" is referring to all his domesticate animals.
"and the other herd of cattle which he took ownership of when he was in Paddan Aram"
"He went to the land of Canaan, where his father Isaac lived"
"When Laban had left to cut the wool off of the sheep in his flock"
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This refers to the Euphrates River.
"traveled toward"
"the mountains of Gilead" or "Mount Gilead"
It was Jewish custom to count the day of departure as day one. Alternate translation: "Two days after they had left"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "someone told Laban" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
Only Jacob is mentioned because he is the leader of the family. It can be made explicit that his family went with him. Alternate translation: "that Jacob had fled with his wives and children" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
"So Laban took"
"chased after Jacob"
Laban spent seven days walking to catch up to Jacob.
"He caught up to him"
The word "now" is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Laban. Alternate translation: "That night God came to Laban in a dream" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)
The phrase "good nor bad" are used together to mean "anything." Alternate translation: "Do not say anything to try and stop Jacob from leaving" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-merism)
The word "now" is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Jacob and Laban. Alternate translation: "When Laban caught up with Jacob, Jacob had set up camp in the hill country. Then Laban and his relatives also camped in the hill country of Gilead" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)
Laban speaks about Jacob taking his family with him back to the land of Canaan as if Jacob took them as prisoners after a battle and is forcing them to go with him. Laban is exaggerating because he is angry and is trying to make Jacob feel guilty for what he did. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-simile and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-hyperbole)
"run away in secret"
"with joy"
These instruments stand for music. Alternate translation: "and with music" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
a musical instrument with a head like a drum that can be hit and with pieces of metal around the side that sound when the instrument is shaken (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-unknown)
Here "grandsons" would include all grandchildren whether male or female. Alternate translation: "to kiss my grandchildren" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-gendernotations)
This does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
The word "you" is plural and refers to everyone with Jacob. Alternate translation: "I have enough people with me to harm all of you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)
The words "good nor bad" are used together to mean "anything." See how you translated this in Genesis 31:24. Alternate translation: "Do not say anything to try and stop Jacob from leaving" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-merism)
This "you" is singular and refers to Jacob. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)
Here "house" stands for family. Alternate translation: "to be home with your father and the rest of your family" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
"my idols"
"I left in secret because I was afraid that you would take your daughters from me by force"
This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "We will kill whoever has stolen your gods" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-litotes)
The word "our" refers to Jacob's relatives and includes Laban's relatives. All the relatives will watch to make sure everything is fair and honest. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)
"look for whatever we have that is yours and take it"
This changes from the story to background information about Jacob. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)
This refers to Zilpah and Bilhah.
"he did not find his idols"
The word "now" is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Rachel. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)
a seat placed on the back of an animal so a person can ride on it
Calling someone "my master" is a way of honoring them.
"because I am unable to stand up in your presence"
This refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)
"Jacob said to Laban"
The phrases "What is my offense" and "What is my sin" mean basically the same thing. Jacob is asking Laban to tell him what he did wrong. Alternate translation: "What have I done wrong that you should pursue me like this?" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-parallelism)
Here the word "hotly" means Laban urgently chased Jacob intending to capture him. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
"What have you found that belongs to you?"
Here the word "our" refers to Jacob's relatives and includes Laban's relatives. Alternate translation: "Lay anything you have found in front of our relatives" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)
Here "two of us" refers to Jacob and Laban. The phrase "to judge between" means to decide which person is right in a dispute. Alternate translation: "they may judge between the two of us" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)
Jacob continues to speak to Laban.
"20 years" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
female sheep
This means they have not had a pregnancy end early and unexpectedly with the lamb or kid born dead.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "When a wild animal killed one of your animals I did not bring it to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
For Jacob to count Laban's dead animals as a loss from his own flock is spoken of as if it was a burden he would bear on his shoulders. Alternate translation: "Instead of counting it a loss from your flock, I counted it as a loss from my flock" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Suffering in the hot and cold temperatures is spoken of as if the temperatures were animals that were eating Jacob. Alternate translation: "I stayed with your flocks even during hottest part of the day and the coldest part of the night" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Jacob continues to speak to Laban.
"These last 20 years" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
"14 years" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)
"changed what he said he would pay me ten times." See how you translated "my wages" in Genesis 31:7.
Jacob is referring to the same God not to three different gods. Alternate translation: "If the God of Abraham and Isaac, my father, had not been with me"
Here the word "father" refers to his parent, Isaac.
Here the word "fears" refers to the "fear of Yahweh," which means to deeply respect him and show that respect by obeying him.
This stands for having nothing. Alternate translation: "with absolutely nothing" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
The abstract noun "affliction" can be stated as "afflicted." Alternate translation: "God has seen how hard I worked and how you afflicted me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)
Laban uses a question to emphasize that there is nothing he can do. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "But, there is nothing I can do to bring my daughters and grandchildren back with me." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
Here the word "witness" does not refer to a person, but it is used figuratively and refers to the covenant that Jacob and Laban are making. The covenant is spoken of as if it were a person who is there when they agree to act peacefully to one another. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-personification)
This means that a large stone was simply set up on its end to mark the place where this important event happened.
"stacked them on top of each other"
Eating a meal together was a part of making the covenant with one another. The full meaning of this may be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Jegar Sahadutha means 'heap of witness' in Laban's language." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Galeed means 'heap of witness' in Jacob's language. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
The stones do not actually bear witness as a person. Alternate translation: "This pile will be a reminder between me and you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-personification)
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Galeed means 'heap of witness' in Jacob's language. See how you translated this in Genesis 31:47. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Mizpah means 'watchtower.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)
Here "out of sight" stands for no longer being in each other's presence. Alternate translation: "when we are no longer with each other" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)
Here "us" refers to Laban and Jacob. Alternate translation: "even if no one else is there to see us"
"look" or "remember" or "pay attention to what i am about to tell you"
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These piles of stones were to act as a remembrance and a boundary marker for Jacob and Laban regarding their peace agreement. They are spoken of as if they are human witnesses. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-personification)
Abraham is Jacob's grandfather. Nahor is Laban's grandfather. The father of Abraham and Nahor is Terah. Not all of them worshipped Yahweh.
Here the word "Fear" refers to Yahweh, who Isaac deeply respected and showed that respect by obeying him.
Eating a meal together was part of making the covenant with one another. The full meaning of this may be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
Verse 55 is the first verse of chapter 32 in the original Hebrew text, but the last verse of chapter 31 in most modern Bibles. We suggest that you follow the numbering of Bibles in your national language.
This means expressing a desire for positive and beneficial things to happen to someone.