Genesis 31:38-40

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:1-55

Jacob flees from Laban (31:1-55)As Laban and his sons became increasingly hostile to him, Jacob prepared to leave for Canaan without delay (31:1-13). Leah and Rachel agreed, for they too were angry with Laban. He had used them to make himself rich, but apparently had no intention of giving them a share in the inheritance (14-16). Therefore, when they fled, Rachel stole her father’s household idols, for according to Mesopotamian custom possession of these gave her some right to the inheritance... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 31:38

twenty. The No. of disappointed expectancy. See App-10 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 31:39

my hand. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), hand put for "me". Compare Genesis 31:29 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 31:40

Thus I was. Figure of speech Ellipsis = "Thus (wherever) I was". droughts heat. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), effect put for the burning heat which caused it. Contrast with cold produced by the frost. my sleep. The Eastern shepherd often away from home for weeks at a time. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 31:36-42

"And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast hotly pursued after me? Whereas thou hast felt about all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff?. Set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us two. These twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That which was torn of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 31:40

Genesis 31:40. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night— Thus Jacob complains of the weather in Mesopotamia. Accordingly Rawwolff, speaking of his going down the Euphrates, gives us to understand that he was wont to wrap himself up in a frize coat in the night-time to keep himself from the frost and dews, which are very frequent and violent there. See Ray's Travels, p. 155, 156. The heat or drought of the day might well be equally complained of by Jacob; for... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 31:38

38. The rams of thy flock have I not eaten—Eastern people seldom kill the females for food except they are barren. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 31:39

39. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee—The shepherds are strictly responsible for losses in the flock, unless they can prove these were occasioned by wild beasts. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 31:40

40. in the day the drought . . . and the frost by night—The temperature changes often in twenty-four hours from the greatest extremes of heat and cold, most trying to the shepherd who has to keep watch by his flocks. Much allowance must be made for Jacob. Great and long-continued provocations ruffle the mildest and most disciplined tempers. It is difficult to "be angry and sin not" [Ephesians 4:26]. But these two relatives, after having given utterance to their pent-up feelings, came at length... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 31:22-42

God revealed Himself to people other than the patriarchs in these days (Genesis 31:29; cf. Abimelech in Genesis 20:3). Many scholars believe that Job also lived in the patriarchal period."Jacob and Rachel are again two of a kind. This time both almost bring ruin on the family by their risk taking: she by her rash theft, he by his rash vow ([Genesis 31:32] cf. his sons’ rash vow in Genesis 44:6-12)." [Note: Waltke, Genesis, p. 430.] The teraphim were already "nothing gods," but they became... read more

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