Genesis 31:14-19 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 31:17-24

Here is, I. Jacob's flight from Laban. We may suppose he had been long considering of it, and casting about in his mind respecting it; but when now, at last, God had given him positive orders to go, he made no delay, nor was he disobedient to the heavenly vision. The first opportunity that offered itself he laid hold of, when Laban was shearing his sheep (Gen. 31:19), that part of his flock which was in the hands of his sons three days? journey off. Now, 1. It is certain that it was lawful for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:14

And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him ,.... One after another, and their answers agreeing, are put together; it may be Rachel answered in the name of Leah, and for herself, since she is mentioned first, and the verb is singular. The Targum of Jonathan is, Rachel answered with the consent of Leah: is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house ? it was what might have been justly expected, as they were his children, that they should have been used as such,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:15

Are we not accounted of him strangers ?.... He had not treated them as children, nor even as freeborn persons; but as if they were foreigners that he had taken in war, or bought of others; or at least, that they were born bondmaids in his house, and so had a right to sell them as he had: for he hath sold us ; he had sold them to Jacob for fourteen years' service, as if they had been his slaves, instead of giving dowries with them as his children: and hath quite devoured also our money... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:16

For all the riches which God hath taken from our father ,.... And given to Jacob for his labour: that is ours, and our children's ; it belonged to us by the law of nature, before it came into thine hands; and our right unto it is still more manifest, and is confirmed by the service thou hast done for it, by which means it came into thy possession; and therefore it is no point of conscience with us, nor need it be any with thee especially, to go off with it: now then, whatsoever God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:17

Then Jacob rose up ,.... And went with them to Laban's house, where his children were, as is plain from Rachel's theft, Genesis 31:19 , and set his sons and his wives upon camels ; which were his own, see Genesis 30:43 ; creatures fit for travelling; on these he set his wives, Rachel and Leah, and his concubine wives, Bilhah and Zilpah; for these went with him, as appears from Genesis 33:6 ; and "his sons", or rather "his children": for they were not all sons, there was one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:18

And he carried away all his cattle ,.... His sheep, camels, and asses: the Jews say F25 Pirke Eliezer, c. 37. fol. 41. he had 5,500 head of cattle: and all the goods which he had gotten : all the rest besides his cattle; his menservants, and maidservants, and all his gold and his silver, and whatsoever else he had: the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram : or Mesopotamia: this seems to be purposely observed, to show that he took nothing but what was his own... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:19

And Laban went to shear his sheep ,.... Which were under the care of his sons, and were three days' distance from Jacob's flocks; this gave Jacob a fair opportunity to depart with his family and substance, since Laban and his sons were at such a distance, and their servants with them also: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's ; afterwards called gods, which he made use of in an idolatrous and superstitious manner, one way or other: they seem to be a kind of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:15

Are we not counted of him strangers? - Rachel and Leah, who well knew the disposition of their father, gave him here his true character. He has treated us as strangers - as slaves whom he had a right to dispose of as he pleased; in consequence, he hath sold us - disposed of us on the mere principle of gaining by the sale. And hath quite devoured also our money - Has applied to his own use the profits of the sale, and has allowed us neither portion nor inheritance. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:19

Laban went to shear his sheep - Laban had gone; and this was a favorable time not only to take his images, but to return to Canaan without being perceived. Rachel had stolen the images - תרפים teraphim . What the teraphim were is utterly unknown. In Genesis 31:30 ; they are termed אלהי elohai , gods; and to some it appears very likely that they were a sort of images devoted to superstitious purposes, not considered as gods, but as representatives of certain Divine attributes,... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 31:17-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:19

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