Genesis 31

Genesis 31 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

God's blessing

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)

Household gods

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)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Irony

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.

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Genesis 31:1

Now

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 the words of Laban's sons, that they said

"Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying"

Jacob has taken away all that was our father's

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)

Genesis 31:2

Jacob saw the look on Laban's face. He saw that his attitude toward him had changed

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)

Genesis 31:3

your fathers

"your father Isaac and your grandfather Abraham"

Genesis 31:4

Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock

"Jacob sent for Rachel and Leah and told them to meet him out in the field with the flocks"

Genesis 31:5

and said to them

You can start a new sentence here. Alternate translation: "He said to them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-sentences)

I see your father's attitude toward me has changed

"I have noticed your father is no longer pleased with me"

Genesis 31:6

You know that it is with all my strength that I have served your father

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)

Genesis 31:7

has deceived me

"has lied to me" or "has not treated me fairly"

my wages

"what he said he would pay me"

to hurt me

Possible meanings are 1) physical harm or 2) to cause Jacob to suffer in any way.

Genesis 31:8

The speckled animals

"The animals with spots"

the flock bore

"the flock gave birth to"

The striped

"The animals with stripes"

Genesis 31:9

In this way God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me

"This is how God gave your father's animals to me"

Genesis 31:10

General Information:

Jacob continues his story to his wives Leah and Rachel.

Once at the time of breeding season

"During the breeding season"

mating with the flock

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)

were striped, speckled, and spotted

"had stripes, little spots, and big spots"

Genesis 31:11

angel of God

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."

I said

"And I answered"

Here I am

"Yes, I am listening" or "Yes, what is it?" See how you translated this in Genesis 22:1.

Genesis 31:12

General Information:

The angel of the Lord continues to talk to Jacob (Genesis 31:10).

Lift up your eyes

This is a way of saying "Look up." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

that are breeding with the flock

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)

are striped, speckled, and spotted

"have stripes and spots"

Genesis 31:13

where you anointed a pillar

Jacob poured oil on the pillar to dedicate it to God. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

the land of your birth

"the land where you were born"

Genesis 31:14

Rachel and Leah answered and said to him

This does not mean they talked at the same time. It emphasizes they agreed with each other.

Is there any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

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)

Genesis 31:15

Are we not treated by him as foreigners?

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)

For he has sold us

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)

has also completely devoured our money

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)

Genesis 31:16

are now ours and our children's

"belongs to us and to our children"

Now then

Here "Now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

whatever God has said to you, do it

"do all that God has told you"

Genesis 31:17

his sons

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)

Genesis 31:18

He drove all his livestock

"He drove all his cattle." Here "livestock" is referring to all his domesticate animals.

including the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram

"and the other herd of cattle which he took ownership of when he was in Paddan Aram"

Then he set out to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan

"He went to the land of Canaan, where his father Isaac lived"

Genesis 31:19

When Laban had gone to shear his flock

"When Laban had left to cut the wool off of the sheep in his flock"

Genesis 31:20

General Information:

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Genesis 31:21

the River

This refers to the Euphrates River.

headed toward

"traveled toward"

the hill country of Gilead

"the mountains of Gilead" or "Mount Gilead"

Genesis 31:22

On the third day

It was Jewish custom to count the day of departure as day one. Alternate translation: "Two days after they had left"

Laban was told

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "someone told Laban" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

that Jacob had fled

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)

Genesis 31:23

So he took

"So Laban took"

pursued him

"chased after Jacob"

for a seven days' journey

Laban spent seven days walking to catch up to Jacob.

He overtook him

"He caught up to him"

Genesis 31:24

Now God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night

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)

Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad

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)

Genesis 31:25

Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country. Laban also camped with his relatives in the hill country of Gilead

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)

Genesis 31:26

carried away my daughters like captives of the sword

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)

Genesis 31:27

flee secretly

"run away in secret"

with celebration

"with joy"

with tambourine and with harps

These instruments stand for music. Alternate translation: "and with music" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

tambourine

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)

Genesis 31:28

to kiss my grandsons

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)

Now

This does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

Genesis 31:29

It is in my power to do you harm

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)

Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad

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)

Genesis 31:30

you have gone away

This "you" is singular and refers to Jacob. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)

to your father's house

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 gods

"my idols"

Genesis 31:31

Because I was afraid and thought that you would take your daughters from me by force I left secretly

"I left in secret because I was afraid that you would take your daughters from me by force"

Genesis 31:32

Whoever has stolen your gods will not continue to live

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)

In the presence of our relatives

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)

identify whatever with me is yours and take it

"look for whatever we have that is yours and take it"

For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them

This changes from the story to background information about Jacob. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-background)

Genesis 31:33

the two female servants

This refers to Zilpah and Bilhah.

he did not find them

"he did not find his idols"

Genesis 31:34

Now Rachel ... upon them

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)

saddle

a seat placed on the back of an animal so a person can ride on it

Genesis 31:35

my master

Calling someone "my master" is a way of honoring them.

that I cannot stand up before you

"because I am unable to stand up in your presence"

for I am having my period

This refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-euphemism)

Genesis 31:36

He said to him

"Jacob said to Laban"

What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?

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)

hotly pursued me

Here the word "hotly" means Laban urgently chased Jacob intending to capture him. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

Genesis 31:37

What have you found of all your household goods?

"What have you found that belongs to you?"

Set them here before our relatives

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)

they may judge between the two of us

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)

Genesis 31:38

General Information:

Jacob continues to speak to Laban.

twenty years

"20 years" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)

ewes

female sheep

have not miscarried

This means they have not had a pregnancy end early and unexpectedly with the lamb or kid born dead.

Genesis 31:39

What was torn by beasts I did not bring to you

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I did not bring to you any of your animals that a wild beast tore apart" or "When a wild animal killed any of your animals I did not bring it to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

I bore the loss of it

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)

You demanded payment from my hand

It can be made explicit what Jacob had to pay for. Alternate translation "You demanded that I pay you for any animal of yours that was missing" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

whether stolen by day or stolen by night

"whether it was taken during the day or at night". Possble meanings are 1) "whether someone stole it during the day or at night" or 2) "whether an animal took it during the day or night."

Genesis 31:40

There I was; in the day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night

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)

Genesis 31:41

General Information:

Jacob continues to speak to Laban.

These twenty years

"These last 20 years" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)

fourteen years

"14 years" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-numbers)

changed my wages ten times

"changed what he said he would pay me ten times." See how you translated "my wages" in Genesis 31:7.

Genesis 31:42

Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the one Isaac fears, had been with me

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"

the God of my father

Here the word "father" refers to his parent, Isaac.

the one Isaac fears

Here the word "fears" refers to the "fear of Yahweh," which means to deeply respect him and show that respect by obeying him.

empty-handed

This stands for having nothing. Alternate translation: "with absolutely nothing" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy)

God has seen my affliction and my toil

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)

Genesis 31:43

But what can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne?

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)

Genesis 31:44

let it be for a witness

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)

Genesis 31:45

pillar

This means that a large stone was simply set up on its end to mark the place where this important event happened.

Genesis 31:46

made a pile

"stacked them on top of each other"

Then they ate there by the pile

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)

Genesis 31:47

Jegar Sahadutha

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)

Galeed

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)

Genesis 31:48

This pile is a witness between me and you

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)

Galeed

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)

Genesis 31:49

Mizpah

Translators may add a footnote that says: "The name Mizpah means 'watchtower.'" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-names)

when we are out of sight one from another

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)

Genesis 31:50

although no one else is with us

Here "us" refers to Laban and Jacob. Alternate translation: "even if no one else is there to see us"

see

"look" or "remember" or "pay attention to what i am about to tell you"

Genesis 31:51

General Information:

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Genesis 31:52

This pile is a witness, and the pillar is a witness

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)

Genesis 31:53

May the God of Abraham, and the god of Nahor, the gods of their father, judge between us

Abraham is Jacob's grandfather. Nahor is Laban's grandfather. The father of Abraham and Nahor is Terah. Not all of them worshipped Yahweh.

the Fear of his father Isaac

Here the word "Fear" refers to Yahweh, who Isaac deeply respected and showed that respect by obeying him.

Genesis 31:54

called his relatives to eat a meal

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)

Genesis 31:55

Early in the morning ... returned home

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.

blessed

This means expressing a desire for positive and beneficial things to happen to someone.