Genesis 31:22-23 - Exposition

And it was told Laban on the third day — i . e . the third after Jacob's departure, the distance between the two sheep-stations being a three days' journey ( vide Genesis 30:36 )— that Jacob was fled. And he took his brethren— i . e . his kinsmen, or nearest relations (cf. Genesis 13:8 ; Genesis 29:15 )— with him, and pursued after him (Jacob) seven days' journey (literally, a way of seven days ) ; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. The distance between Padan-aram and mount Gilead was a little over 300 miles, to perform which Jacob must at least have taken ten days, though Laban, who was less encumbered than his son-in-law, accomplished it in seven, which might easily be done by traveling from forty to forty-five miles a day, by no means a great feat for a camel.