Genesis 31:36-40

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 31:36-42

See in these verses, I. The power of provocation. Jacob's natural temper was mild and calm, and grace had improved it; he was a smooth man, and a plain man; and yet Laban's unreasonable carriage towards him put him into a heat that transported him into a heat that transported him into some vehemence, Gen. 31:36, 37. His chiding with Laban, though it may admit of some excuse, was not justifiable, nor is it written for our imitation. Grievous words stir up anger, and commonly do but make bad... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:36

And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban ,.... Having answered Laban's questions to the silencing of him, and nothing of his upon search, being found with him, Jacob took heart, and was of good courage and in high spirits, and in his turn was heated also; and perhaps might carry his passion a little too far, and is not to be excused from some degree of sin and weakness; however, his reasoning is strong and nervous, and his expostulations very just and pathetic; whatever may be said for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:37

Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff ,.... Or all my vessels F14 כל כלי "omnia vasa mea", Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Drusius, Schmidt. , or utensils; whether household goods, or such as were used with regard to the cattle, or armour for defence: what hast thou found of all thy household stuff ? is there any vessel or utensil, or anything whatever thou canst claim as thine own? is there anything that has been taken away from thee either by me or mine? set it here... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:38

This twenty years have I been with thee ,.... So that he now must have been ninety seven years of age: thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young : or very few of them: it was a rare case for any to be abortive, if ever: this, though owing to the blessing of God, was for Jacob's sake, and, under God, to be ascribed to his care and diligence in watching and keeping the flock, and doing everything needful for them: and the rams of the flock have I not eaten : being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:39

That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee ,.... To show what had befallen it; that so it might appear he had one the less to account for to him: I bore the loss of it ; took it upon himself, as if it had been somewhat blameworthy in him, as the word used signifies; and so made satisfaction for it; which, how he did, when he had no wages, is difficult to say: he might have some perquisites allowed him by Laban, though he had no settled salary; or he might lay himself under... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:40

Thus I was ,.... In such a situation, as well as in the following uncomfortable plight and condition: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night : the violent heat in the daytime scorched him, and the severe frosts in the night pinched him: that is, in the different seasons of the year, the heat of the day in the summertime, and the cold of the night in the wintertime; for it cannot well be thought that there should be excessive heat in the day and sharp frosts in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:36

And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban - The expostulation of Jacob with Laban, and their consequent agreement, are told in this place with great spirit and dignity. Jacob was conscious that though he had made use of cunning to increase his flocks, yet Laban had been on the whole a great gainer by his services. He had served him at least twenty years, fourteen for Rachel and Leah, and six for the cattle; and some suppose he had served him twenty years besides the above, which is not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:39

That which was torn - of my hand didst thou require it - This more particularly marks the covetous and rigorous disposition of Laban; for the law of God required that what had been torn by beasts the shepherd should not be obliged to make good, Exodus 22:10 , Exodus 22:13 . And it is very likely that this law was in force from the earliest times. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:40

In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night - The being exposed to the heat by day, and frost by night, is made part of the heaviest punishment of Promethus by Aeschylus. Σταθευτος δ ' ἡλιου φοιβῃ φλογι, Χροιας αμευψεις· ασμενῳ δε σοι<-144 Ἡ ποικιλεμων νυξ αποκρυψει φαος·Παχνην θ ' ἑῳαν ἡλιος σκεδᾳ παλινπ . Aeschyl. Prom. Vinc., v. 22. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:36

Verse 36 36.And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban. Jacob again acts amiss, in contending with Laban about a matter not sufficiently known, and in wrongfully fastening on him the charge of calumny. For although he supposed all his family to be free from blame, yet he was deceived by his own negligence. He acts, indeed, with moderation, because in expostulating with Laban he does not use reproaches; but in this he is not to be excused, that he undertakes the cause of his whole family, when... read more

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