Genesis 31
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And he heard the words of Laban's sons - The multiplication of Jacob's cattle, and the decrease and degeneracy of those of Laban, were sufficient to arouse the jealousy of Laban's sons. This, with Laban's unfair treatment, and the direction he received from God, determined him to return to his own country. Hath he gotten all this glory - All these riches, this wealth, or property. The original word כבד signifies both to be rich and to be heavy; and perhaps for this simple reason, that riches ever bring with them heavy weight and burden of cares and anxieties.
Open source ↗ENVY OF LABAN AND SONS. (Gen. 31:1-21) he heard the words of Laban's sons--It must have been from rumor that Jacob got knowledge of the invidious reflections cast upon him by his cousins; for they were separated at the distance of three days' journey.
Open source ↗And he heard the words of Laban's sons,.... That is, Jacob, as is expressed in the Septuagint and Syriac versions, either with his own ears, overhearing their discourse in their tents, or in the field, or from the report of others, his wives or some of his friends, who thought proper to acquaint him with it; these were the sons of Laban, who had the care of the cattle committed to them, separated by the direction of Jacob, and with the consent of Laban, Gen 30:35, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; meaning not precisely all that their father had, for that would have been a downright lie; for what was become of them that were committed to their care? besides, we afterwards read of Laban's shearing his sheep, Gen 31:19; but that all that Jacob had was their father's, and he had taken it away from him, if not by force and stealth, yet by fraud; and so Jacob might fear he would treat him in an ill manner, and therefore began to think it was high time for him to be gone: and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all the glory; his many servants, numerous cattle, sheep, camels and asses, in which carnal men place all their happiness; or those riches, as the Targum of Jonathan, by which he got the name and glory of a rich man among men: and it was so far true what they say, that it was out of their father's flock that Jacob got all his increase; but then it was according to a covenant that Laban and he entered into, and therefore was obtained in a just and lawful manner.
Open source ↗The Flight. - Through some angry remarks of Laban's sons with reference to his growing wealth, and the evident change in the feelings of Laban himself towards him (Gen 31:1, Gen 31:2), Jacob was inwardly prepared for the termination of his present connection with Laban; and at the same time he received instructions from Jehovah, to return to his home, together with a promise of divine protection. In consequence of this, he sent for Rachel and Leah to come to him in the field, and explained to them (Gen 31:4-13), how their father's disposition had changed towards him, and how he had deceived him in spite of the service he had forced out of him, and had altered his wages ten times; but that the God of his father had stood by him, and had transferred to him their father's cattle, and now at length had directed him to return to his home.
Open source ↗Jacob is here taking up a resolution immediately to quit his uncle's service, to take what he had and go back to Canaan. This resolution he took up upon a just provocation, by divine direction, and with the advice and consent of his wives. I. Upon a just provocation; for Laban and his sons had become very cross and ill-natured towards him, so that he could not stay among them with safety or satisfaction. 1. Laban's sons showed their ill-will in what they said, Gen 31:1. It should seem they said it in Jacob's hearing, with a design to vex him. The last chapter began with Rachel's envying Leah; this begins with Laban's sons envying Jacob. Observe, (1.) How greatly they magnify Jacob's prosperity: He has gotten all this glory. And what was this glory that they made so much ado about? It was a parcel of brown sheep and speckled goats (and perhaps the fine colours made them seem more glorious), and some camels and asses, and such like trading; and this was all this glory. Note, Riches are glorious things in the eyes of carnal people, while to all those that are conversant with heavenly things they have no glory in comparison with the glory which excelleth. Men's over-valuing worldly wealth is that fundamental error which is the root of covetousness, envy, and all evil. (2.) How basely they reflect upon Jacob's fidelity, as if what he had he had not gotten honestly: Jacob has taken away all that was our father's. Not all, surely. What had become of those cattle which were committed to the custody of Laban's sons, and sent three days' journey off? Gen 30:35, Gen 30:36. They mean all that was committed to him; but, speaking invidiously, they express themselves thus generally. Note, [1.] Those that are ever so careful to keep a good conscience cannot always be sure of a good nam…
Open source ↗31:1-21 Jacob’s return journey precipitated a confrontation with Laban that set a permanent boundary between Israel (Jacob) and Aram (Laban). God kept his word to Jacob by prospering him in Paddan-aram and protecting him on his journey home. 31:1-2 The animosity of Laban’s sons against Jacob grew because his flocks were multiplying faster than Laban’s. They were jealous of God’s blessing on Jacob and afraid that he would completely overrun them.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause לָבָן (Lâbân, H3837) — Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
Open source ↗יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… לָבָן (Lâbân, H3837) — Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert תְּמוֹל (tᵉmôwl, H8543) — properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before… שִׁלְשׁוֹם (shilshôwm, H8032) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application מוֹלֶדֶת (môwledeth, H4138) — nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring,…
Open source ↗יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… רָחֵל (Râchêl, H7354) — Rachel, a wife of Jacob לֵאָה (Lêʼâh, H3812) — Leah, a wife of Jacob שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… תְּמוֹל (tᵉmôwl, H8543) — properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before… שִׁלְשׁוֹם (shilshôwm, H8032) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or…
Open source ↗אַתָּה (ʼattâh, H859) — thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application הָתַל (hâthal, H2048) — to deride; by implication, to cheat חָלַף (châlaph, H2498) — properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce… מַשְׂכֹּרֶת (maskôreth, H4909) — wages or a reward עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) מֹנֶה (môneh, H4489) — properly, something weighed out, i.e. (figuratively) a portion of time, i.e. an instance אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… עִמָּד (ʻimmâd, H5978) — along with
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָקֹד (nâqôd, H5348) — spotted שָׂכָר (sâkâr, H7939) — payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation,… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… עָקֹד (ʻâqôd, H6124) — striped (with bands)
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense מִקְנֶה (miqneh, H4735) — something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) יָחַם (yâcham, H3179) — probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream עַתּוּד (ʻattûwd, H6260) — prepared, i.e. full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עָקֹד (ʻâqôd, H6124) — striped (with bands) נָקֹד (nâqôd, H5348) — spotted בָּרֹד (bârôd, H1261) — spotted (as if with hail)
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חֲלוֹם (chălôwm, H2472) — a dream יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עַתּוּד (ʻattûwd, H6260) — prepared, i.e. full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) עָקֹד (ʻâqôd, H6124) — striped (with bands) נָקֹד (nâqôd, H5348) — spotted בָּרֹד (bârôd, H1261) — spotted (as if with hail) לָבָן (Lâbân, H3837) — Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) בֵּית־אֵל (Bêyth-ʼÊl, H1008) — Beth-El, a place in Palestine מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint מַצֵּבָה (matstsêbâh, H4676) — something stationed, i.e. a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol נָדַר (nâdar, H5087) — to promise (pos., to do or give something to God) נֶדֶר (neder, H5088) — a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מוֹלֶדֶת (môwledeth, H4138) — nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring,…
Open source ↗רָחֵל (Râchêl, H7354) — Rachel, a wife of Jacob לֵאָה (Lêʼâh, H3812) — Leah, a wife of Jacob עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חֵלֶק (chêleq, H2506) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Tell my father about all my splendor in Egypt and everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’—
from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
Behold, all who speak in proverbs will quote this proverb about you: ‘Like mother, like daughter.’
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,