Then Laban overtook Jacob ,.... He was come to the mount the overnight, but now in the morning he came nearer to him, so as to hold a conversation with him: now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead ; both on the same mount; one perhaps at the bottom, and the other at the top; or one on one hill of it, and the other on another, or right over against one another. read more
Laban's pursuit of Jacob. I. THE HOSTILE PREPARATION . Learning of his son-in-law's departure, Laban at once determines on pursuit; not alone for the purpose of recovering his household gods, but chiefly with the view of wreaking his pent-up vengeance on Jacob, whom he now regarded as the spoiler of his fortunes, and if possible to capture and detain the much-coveted flocks and herds which he considered had been practically stolen by his nephew. Mustering his kinsmen by either force... read more
And God —Elohim is here employed, neither because the section belongs to the fundamental document (Tuch, Bleek, Colenso, et alii ), nor because, though Laban had an outward acquaintance with Jehovah ( vide Genesis 31:49 ), his real religious knowledge did not extend beyond Elohim (Hengstenberg), but simply because the historian wished to characterize the interposition which arrested Laban in his wrath as supernatural (Quarry)— came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night ,—(cf. ... read more
- Jacob’s Flight from Haran19. תרפים terāpı̂ym, Teraphim. This word occurs fifteen times in the Old Testament. It appears three times in this chapter, and nowhere else in the Pentateuch. It is always in the plural number. The root does not appear in Biblical Hebrew. It perhaps means “to live well,” intransitively (Gesenius, Roedig.), “to nourish,” transitively (Furst). The teraphim were symbols or representatives of the Deity, as Laban calls them his gods. They seem to have been busts... read more
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
"And it was told to Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead. And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said unto him, Take heed to thyself that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. And Laban came up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountain: and Laban and his brethren encamped in the mountain of Gilead. And Laban said to... read more
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
Laban’s confrontation with Jacob 31:22-55God had promised to be with Jacob and to return him to Canaan (Genesis 28:15). We see God doing this, in spite of Laban’s opposition, in this section."It was only by divine prospering and protection (24) that Jacob brought anything, even his life, back from exile." [Note: Kidner, p. 165.] "Whatever wealth Abraham may have forfeited upon leaving the family unit of Terah in Haran comes to his heirs in this most unimaginable way." [Note: Mathews, Genesis... read more
Jacob’s Return from Haran4-13. Jacob attributes his prosperity to God’s favour. 14-16. Rachel and Leah point out that their father had no claim on them, since Jacob had won them by his services, and Laban had given them no share in the profits he had made through their husband’s labours. They agree to leave their home.19. The images] Heb. teraphim. These were figures of metal, wood, or clay of varying sizes, apparently in human form. They probably answered to the ’Lares and Penates,’ or... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 31:25-35
We have here the reasoning, not to say the rallying, that took place between Laban and Jacob at their meeting, in that mountain which was afterwards called Gilead, Gen. 31:25. Here is, I. The high charge which Laban exhibited against him. He accuses him, 1. As a renegade that had unjustly deserted his service. To represent Jacob as a criminal, he will have it thought that he intended kindness to his daughters (Gen. 31:27, 28), that he would have dismissed them with all the marks of love and... read more