Genesis 31:38-40

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 31:38

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 31:39

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 31:22-44

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 31:36-42

And Jacob was wroth ,—literally, and it burned , sc . with indignation (same word as used by Rachel, Genesis 31:35 ), to Jacob , i . e . he was infuriated at what he believed to be Laban's unjustifiable insinuation about his lost teraphim— and chode —or contended; the fundamental signification of the root, רוּב or רִיב , being to seize or tear, e.g. the hair, hence to strive with the bands ( Deuteronomy 33:7 ), or with words ( Psalms 103:9 ). The two verbs, ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 31:1-55

- 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 31:39-40

Genesis 31:39-40 . That which was torn I brought not unto thee What Jacob here affirms, and for the truth of which he appeals to Laban, shows him to have been of a very industrious and faithful disposition, and that Laban’s temper was exceedingly selfish and sordid: for though Jacob was his relation, and his substance had increased so greatly under his hand, yet he was very rigid toward him, and required him to make good all the cattle that were lost, by whatever accident it happened. In... read more

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