Genesis 31:1-3 NLT

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 31:1-16

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:1

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, Genesis 30:35 , saying, Jacob... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:2

And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban ,.... Upon this he observed Laban's looks, that he might gather from thence how he took his prosperity; what were his thoughts about it, and what he might expect from him on that account: and, behold, it was not towards him as before ; he said nothing to Jacob, nor charged him with robbing of him, or any false dealing with him, yet was uneasy at his growing prosperity; he put on sour looks, and an envious countenance, sad, and surly, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:3

And the Lord said unto Jacob ,.... In answer to a prayer of his; or seeing what difficulties and discouragements Jacob laboured under, he appeared unto him for his encouragement and instruction how to proceed: return unto the land of thy fathers ; the land of Canaan, given to Abraham and Isaac by promise: and to thy kindred : his father and mother, and brother, who all dwelt in the land of Canaan at this time, or as many as were living: or "to thy nativity" F23 למולדתך "ad... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:1

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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:3

And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return - and I will be with thee - I will take the same care of thee in thy return, as I took of thee on thy way to this place. The Targum reads, My Word shall be for thy help, see Genesis 15:1 . A promise of this kind was essentially necessary for the encouragement of Jacob, especially at this time; and no doubt it was a powerful means of support to him through the whole journey; and it was particularly so when he heard that his brother was coming to meet... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:1

Verse 1 1.And he heard the words. Although Jacob ardently desired his own country, and was continually thinking of his return to it; yet his admirable patience appears in this, that he suspends his purpose till a new occasion presents itself. I do not, however, deny, that some imperfection was mixed with this virtue, in that he did not make more haste to return; but that the promise of God was always retained its his mind will shortly appear. In this respect, however, he showed something of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:2

Verse 2 22.And it was told Laban. The Lord gave to his servant the interval of a three-days’ journey, so that having passed the Euphrates, he might enter the boundaries of the promised land. And perhaps, in the mean time, he cooled the rage of Laban, the assault of which, in its first heat, might have been intolerable severe. (95) By afterward permitting Jacob to be intercepted in the midst of his journey, God intended to tender his own interposition the more illustrious. It seemed desirable... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:3

Verse 3 3.And the Lord said unto Jacob. The timidity of the holy man is here more plainly seen; for he, perceiving that evil was designed against him by his father-in-law, still dared not to move a foot, unless encouraged by a new oracle. But the Lord, who, by facts, had shown him already that no longer delay was to be made, now also urges him by words. Let us learn from this example, that although the Lord may incite us to duty by adversity, yet we shall thereby profit little, unless the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 31:1

And he —Jacob had now served twenty years with Laban, and must accordingly have been in his ninety-seventh or seventy-seventh year ( vide Genesis 27:1 )— heard the words of Laban's sons ,—who were not at this time only small youths about fourteen years of ago (Delitzsch), since they were capable of being entrusted with their father's flocks ( Genesis 30:35 )— saying (probably in a conversation which had been over. heard by Jacob), Jacob hath taken away (by fraud is what they... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 31:1-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 31:1

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