1Jacob is regarded with an evil eye by Laban and his sons; 3is commanded by God to return to his own land, and proposeth his departure to his wives. 17He removeth secretly with his family and substance; Rachel stealeth her father's images. 22Laban pursueth after him; is warned of God, and overtaking Jacob complaineth of the wrong. 31Jacob, ignorant of the theft, permitteth Laban to search for the images; Rachel's policy to hide them. 36Jacob's complaint of Laban. 43The covenant of Jacob and Laban: Laban returneth home.
1AND he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten 1all this glory.
1 That is, all his wealth, which usually is attended with honor and glory.
2And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him 2as before.
2 That is, as formerly it was; thus the same words are likewise taken verse 5 and Exod. 4:10; 5:7, 8; 21:29; Joshua 3:4; 4:18, etc.
3And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return 3unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and 4I will be with thee.
3 That is, the land of Canaan, which I promised to thy father Isaac, and grandfather Abraham; although as yet they possessed nothing in it, but the field and cave, wherein Sarah was buried.
4 See Gen. 21:22; 26:24; likewise Gen. 32:9, where Jacob himself explains these words.
4And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah 5to the field unto his flock,
5 To confer with his wives about this matter without neglect of his calling, and with more freedom.
5And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but 6the God of my father 7hath been with me.
6 See Gen. 28:13.
7 That is, has appeared to me, and has commanded me to return into my own country. See verse 13.
6And ye know that with all my 8power I have served your father.
8 As well of the mind with the cares; as of the body by watching, running, and drudging. Compare verses 40 and 42.
7And your father 9hath deceived me, and changed my wages 10ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
9 Other, hath mocked me.
10 That is, oftentimes. Thus the word ten is taken for oftentimes verse 41; Lev. 26:26; Num. 14:22; 1 Sam. 1:8; Job 19:3.
811If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstrakeda shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.
11 Observe here, that the contract, which Jacob had made with Laban, Gen. 30:32, 33, etc., was often altered through Laban’s greediness, and the alteration long born through Jacob’s meekness.
a streaked, striped
9Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to 12me.
12 Hence it appears that all this practice of Jacob did not proceed from any sinister and deceitful devise of Jacob, but from God’s direction.
10And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw 13in a dream, and, behold, the 14rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and 15grisled.
13 See verse 5.
14 Other, he goats, it may be understood of both.
15 That is, such as had spots of about the size and color of common hail stones, distinguished from the speckled, which had black dots upon the white skin.
11And 16the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.
16 Understand the Lord Christ, as appears verses 5, 13.
12And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked,b speckled, and grisled:c for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.
b streaked, striped
c grey.
13I am the 17God of Beth-el, whered thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return 18unto the land of thy kindred.
17 That is, Who did appear to thee at Bethel, and promised to be with thee, to keep thee, and to bring thee back into Canaan.
d Gen. 28:13, 14, 15, etc.
18 See verses 3, 18.
14And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, 19Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
19 They imply: none at all, seeing he grudges us the bargained wages, having so often changed and altered them.
1520Are we not counted of him strangers? for 21he hath sold us, and 22hath quite devoured also 23our money.
20 He has not put us forth as daughters with honest dowries, but has thrust us forth as servants for hired wages.
21 To wit, for thy fourteen years of service, which indeed was a kind of a transaction.
22 Hebr. eating eaten, that is, continually and all along.
23 By this money they understand the fruit and gain of Jacob’s service, which Laban not only kept from them, but also consumed and spent it for himself, without imparting any to them.
16For 24all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our 25children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
24 See on verse 9.
25 Hebr. sons, that is, children, as frequently elsewhere.
17¶Then Jacob rose up, and set his 26sons and his wives upon camels;
26 Or, children.
18And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, 27the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten 28in Padan-aram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
27 Hebr. the cattle of his possession.
28 See Gen. 25:20.
19And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen 29the images that were her father's.
29 Hebr. teraphim, have been a kind of images which were made after a human figure, 1 Sam. 19:13, 16, for idols, Gen. 31:30, 32; to enquire of them of things to come, Ezek. 21:21, and by whom they received the devil’s answer, true or false; Zech. 10:2. Of the teraphim you may likewise see Judges 17:5; 18:14, 17, 18, 20; 1 Sam. 15:23; 2 Kings 23:24; Hosea 3:4. These teraphim Laban (although the true God was not unknown to him, Gen. 30:27, and in this chapter verses 24, 29) honored with religious worship, endeavoring thus to serve both God and the idols together, or, to keep under altogether and suppress the true worship of God through idolatry in unrighteousness. This is the first place where the Scripture makes mention of idols, although they were in use long before.
20And Jacob 30stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
30 That is, he got away secretly and stealthily without Laban’s leave, as the following words declare, also verses 26, 27. In this sense a similar phrase is also used, 2 Sam. 19:3, but in another sense in 2 Sam.15:6. The reason of this sudden and quiet departure seems to have been an instinct and express command from God, verse 13.
21So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over 31the river, and 32set his face toward the mount 33Gilead.
31 Namely, Phrath or Euphrates, running between Chaldea and Canaan, Gen. 2:14; 15:18. Without the apposition of the proper name, the same is called the river, for its greatness and fames’ sake, both here and Exod. 23:31; Joshua 24:2, 3, etc.
32 Or, directed, or put, that is, he purposed and resolved to take that way homewards. See Jer. 50:5; Luke 9:51, 53.
33 A mountain situated behind Phoenicia beyond Jordan, and bordering on mount Lebanon. There was very good land at the bottom of this mountain, likewise called Gilead, or Galaãd, being very fruitful and full of pasture, Gen. 37:25; Deut. 34:1; Jer. 8:22; 22:6. This land was afterwards taken from the Amorites, and did fall in the partition to the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh. See Num. 32:1, etc.; Deut. 3:12, 13, 15, 16; Joshua 13:8, 9, 10, 11, etc.
2234And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
34 Laban’s flock was kept a three days distance from Jacob’s flock, Gen. 30:36.
23And he took his 35brethren with him, and pursued after him 36seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
35 That is, some of his kindred, or kinsmen, and so in the sequel.
36 That is, seven days’ journey. See Gen. 30:36.
24And 37God came to Laban the Syrian 38in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either 39good or bad.
37 Namely, before he overtook Jacob, or was come up to him.
38 See Gen. 20 on verse 3.
39 Hebr. from the good to the bad, that is, thou shalt not go about to withdraw him from his journey by any fair or evil words, but permit him to march on in his journey. Compare Gen. 24:50.
25¶Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had 40pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
40 Hebr. fastened, fixed.
26And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast 41stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, 42as captives taken with the sword?
41 See verse 20.
42 That is, such as are carried away by force against their will; which Laban wrongfully lays to Jacob’s charge. See verses 14, 15, 16.
2743Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and 44steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have 45sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret,e and with 46harp?
43 Hebr. wherefore didst thou hide thyself to flee?
44 That is, why didst thou depart from me by stealth without my knowledge? Compare this with verse 20. Others read, Why hast thou stolen from me, or robbed me, that is, robbed me of my own?
45 See Gen. 18 on verse 16.
e small drum*
46 See Gen. 4 on verse 21.
28And hast not suffered me 47to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
47 See Gen. 29 on verse 13.
29It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either 48good or bad.
48 See on verse 24.
30And now, though 49thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou 50sore longedst after thy father's house, yet 51wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
49 Hebr. art going gone.
50 Hebr. desiring desiredst.
51 A strange blindness in Laban that he held his idols for gods, which nevertheless, according to his own opinion, could be stolen away. Compare verse 19.
31And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for 52I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from 53me.
52 Namely, within himself, that is, I thought. See Gen. 20:11. Otherwise, I said to my wives, or to my family.
53 Hebr. from with me.
32With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren 54discern thou 55what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
54 Hebr. make known for thee. See Gen. 12 on verse 1.
55 Namely, of thy goods.
33And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
34Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the 56camel’s furniture,f and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
56 Other, straw.
f equipment, harness*
35And she said to her father, 57Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; 58for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
57 That is, let it not provoke my lord’s displeasure, which shows itself most readily in the eyes.
58 Hebr. the way of women is upon me.
36¶And Jacob was wroth, and chodeg with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, 59that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
g complained
59 Hebr. that thou didst burn after me. The word does often signify to pursue one with a burning, eager, fierce and hostile mind, as 1 Sam. 17:53; Psalm 10:2; Lam. 4:19.
37Whereas thou hast searched 60all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
60 Hebr. all my vessels, and so later, of all the vessels of thy house.
38This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
39That which was torn of beasts 61I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
61 That Jacob was made to make good to Laban, what was torn by the wild beats, was unjust and contrary to the law, Exod. 22:13.
40Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep 62departed from mine eyes.
62 Other, fled, or ran. The same manner of speech we find in Esther 6:1.
4163Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years 64for thy cattle: and 65thou hast changed my wages ten times.
63 Hebr. these are twenty years to me in thy house.
64 That is, for such a portion as would fall to my share, by the wages conditioned between us.
65 See on verse 7.
42Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and 66the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath 67seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
66 That is, that same God, Whom my father Isaac serves with so much fear and reverence. Thus God is called our Fear, Isa. 8:13, for the reason that He must be feared by us with filial fear.
67 The seeing of God, means His present benevolence, as Gen. 16:13; 29:32; Exod. 3:7, 9; Psalm 31:7, and here; or His punishment, Gen. 11:5, and 1 Chron. 12:17, etc.
43¶And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and 68what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their 69children which they have born?
68 That is, how should I be able to go about to hurt or trouble them, seeing they are my own flesh and blood; he now makes show of seeking friendship, seeing he was not able to do any hurt or mischief to Jacob and his (own). This was by the special overruling of the Lord, Who had appeared unto Laban for this very end.
69 Other, sons.
44Now therefore come thou, let us 70make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
70 See Gen. 15 on verse 18.
4571And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
71 Showing thereby, that abandoning all complaints, he was very ready to accept of and enter into the covenant.
46And Jacob said unto 72his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and 73they did eat there upon the heap.
72 That is, kinsmen, friends. See verses 32, 37, 54.
73 Namely, after the making and establishing of that covenant.
47And Laban called it 74Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it 75Galeed.
74 That is, in the Syrian language, which Laban spoke, an heap of witnesses, signifying the covenant which they made with each other there.
75 Hebr. Galed. This name signifies the same thing in the Hebrew language which Jegar-sahadutha did in the Syrian language. For Jacob being an Hebrew, would likewise give this heap of stones a name in his own language.
48And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called 76Galeed;
76 So that this name, which Jacob had given in Hebrew, has remained with this mountain and surrounding land; likewise this is therefore also previously called by Moses; verses 21, 23.
49And 77Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent 78one from another.
77 Hebr. Mitspah, that is, a place of inspection, or, surveying, or, watch, being that (as follows) God was to have the watch and oversight how this established covenant would be observed.
78 Hebr. the man from his neighbor, or, friend; that is, when we shall be so far parted and out of sight one of another.
50If thou shalt 79afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, 80no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
79 Or, oppress.
80 That is, there is none else with us to bear witness and to punish the transgressor. Other, none shall be with us, namely, when we shall be parted from one another, but God, etc.
51And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
52This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, 81that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.
81 Other, if I, namely, perceiving myself to be wronged, and passing by here, that I shall not do it in any hostile, but in a friendly way; and thou in like manner. Or otherwise thus, in case it be that I pass by here to thee ward, that I shall not do it for evil, nor thou either.
5382The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware 83by the fear of his father Isaac.
82 He intermixes here the God of Abraham, Who is the only true God, with the idols, which Nahor, Terah, and Abraham himself (before his conversion) had served in Chaldea, Joshua 24:2, not only to comply a little with Jacob, but also, like an idolatrous dissembler, to halt on both sides. Others hold that Laban spoke right out in an idolatrous manner, The gods of Abraham, and the gods of Nahor, and the gods of their father, etc., by which words Laban reproaches Jacob that he had forsaken the religion of his fathers; and that in opposition thereunto, there is placed Jacob’s oath, which he made by the true God alone.
83 See verse 42.
54Then Jacob 84offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat 85bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
84 That is, beasts fit for slaughter, preparing for the ensuing, joyful feast. The Hebrew word indeed is used for offering sacrifice, but also for slaying toward a feast likewise, as 1 Sam. 28:24; 1 Kings 1:9; 2 Chron. 18:2, etc.
85 That is, to the feast he had made. See Gen. 37:25; Exod. 18:12; 2 Kings 6:22; Luke 14:1, etc.
55And early in the morning Laban rose up, and 86kissed his sons and his daughters, and 87blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.
86 See Gen. 29 on verse 11.
87 That is, he wished them all happiness and prosperity at their parting; as it was the received custom when people met thus to greet one another, not only at parting, but also in arriving. See Gen. 47:7, 10; Ruth 2:4; 1 Sam. 13:10; 2 Sam. 8:10.