Genesis 31:3
Genesis 31:3 in Multiple Translations
Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
And Jehovah said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
Then the Lord said to Jacob, Go back to the land of your fathers, and to your relations, and I will be with you.
The Lord told Jacob, “Go back to the country of your forefathers, to your family home. I will be with you.”
And the Lord had said vnto Iaakob, Turne againe into the lande of thy fathers, and to thy kinred, and I wilbe with thee.
And Jehovah saith unto Jacob, 'Turn back unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred, and I am with thee.'
The LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers, and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”
And the LORD said to Jacob, Return to the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
Especially the Lord saying to him: Return into the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred, and I will be with thee.
Then Yahweh said to Jacob, “Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will help you there.”
Then God talked to Jacob. God said, “Leave this place, and go back to your home country, and to your relatives. I will go with you, to take care of you.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 31:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 31:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
יְהוָה֙
אֶֽל
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
שׁ֛וּב
אֶל
אֶ֥רֶץ
אֲבוֹתֶ֖י/ךָ
וּ/לְ/מוֹלַדְתֶּ֑/ךָ
וְ/אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה
עִמָּֽ/ךְ
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֶֽל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
שׁ֛וּב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
אֲבוֹתֶ֖י/ךָ
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
וּ/לְ/מוֹלַדְתֶּ֑/ךָ
môwledeth
H4138
relatives
Conj | Prep | N-fs | Suff
וְ/אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
עִמָּֽ/ךְ
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 31:3
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
יְהוָה֙
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֶֽל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
שׁ֛וּב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֶ֥רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
אֲבוֹתֶ֖י/ךָ
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וּ/לְ/מוֹלַדְתֶּ֑/ךָ
môwledeth
H4138
"relatives"
Conj | Prep | N-fs | Suff
Relatives or birthplace is the meaning of this word. It refers to family, native country, or circumstances of birth, and is used to describe heritage. It appears in various forms in the Bible.
Definition: 1) kindred, birth, offspring, relatives 1a) kindred 1b) birth, circumstances of birth 1c) one born, begotten, issue, offspring, female offspring
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: begotten, born, issue, kindred, native(-ity). See also: Genesis 11:28; Leviticus 18:11; Jeremiah 22:10.
וְ/אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
עִמָּֽ/ךְ
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
Study Notes — Genesis 31:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 31:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 31:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 31:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 31:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 31:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 31:3
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 31:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 31:3
- Sermons on Genesis 31:3
Context — Jacob Flees from Laban
1Now Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken away all that belonged to our father and built all this wealth at our father’s expense.”
2And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed.
3Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
4So Jacob sent word and called Rachel and Leah to the field where his flocks were, 5and he told them, “I can see from your father’s countenance that his attitude toward me has changed; but the God of my father has been with me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 28:15 | Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” |
| 2 | Genesis 32:9 | Then Jacob declared, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’ |
| 3 | Hebrews 13:5 | Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” |
| 4 | Psalms 50:15 | Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” |
| 5 | Genesis 31:13 | I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up and leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’” |
| 6 | Isaiah 41:10 | Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. |
| 7 | Genesis 21:22 | At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. |
| 8 | Genesis 13:15 | for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. |
| 9 | Genesis 30:25 | Now after Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can return to my homeland. |
| 10 | Genesis 28:4 | And may He give the blessing of Abraham to you and your descendants, so that you may possess the land where you dwell as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.” |
Genesis 31:3 Summary
[God told Jacob to go back to the land of his fathers, and He promised to be with him. This means that God would guide, protect, and empower Jacob, just as He does for us today, as seen in Romans 8:28. We can trust that God is always with us, even when we're not sure what the future holds, because He has promised to never leave or forsake us, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6. By trusting in God's presence and promises, we can have confidence and peace, no matter what challenges we face.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God tell Jacob to go back to the land of his fathers?
God told Jacob to return to the land of his fathers because it was part of His plan to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham, as seen in Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 17:8.
How could Jacob be sure that God would be with him?
Jacob could be sure that God would be with him because God had already been faithful to him in the past, as seen in Genesis 28:15, and had promised to never leave or forsake him.
What does it mean for God to be 'with' someone?
For God to be 'with' someone means that He is present, guiding, and empowering them, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Matthew 28:20.
Is this verse relevant to my life today?
Yes, this verse is relevant to your life today because it reminds you that God is always with you, guiding and directing you, just as He was with Jacob, and that you can trust in His presence and promises, as seen in Hebrews 13:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I felt God's presence and guidance, and how did I respond?
- How can I trust in God's promise to be with me, even when I'm facing uncertainty or challenges?
- What are some ways that God is calling me to be obedient to His will, just as He called Jacob to return to the land of his fathers?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of awareness and dependence on God's presence in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 31:3
And the Lord said unto Jacob,.... In answer to a prayer of his; or seeing what difficulties and discouragements Jacob laboured under, he appeared unto him for his encouragement and instruction how to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 31:3
And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. The Lord said ... Return.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 31:3
Genesis 31:3 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.Ver. 3. Return unto the land of thy fathers.] Laban’ s frowns were a grief to Jacob; the Lord calls upon him therefore to look homeward. Let the world’ s affronts, and the change of men’ s countenances, drive us to him who changeth not, and mind us of heaven, where is a perpetual serenity and sweetness.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 31:3
(3) The Lord said unto Jacob.—This is probably the revelation, more exactly described in Genesis 31:10-13, as given to Jacob in a dream. It is there ascribed to Elohim, but here to Jehovah. The narrator’s purpose in this, probably, is to show that while Jacob regarded the providence that watched over him as the act of Elohim, it was really in His character of Jehovah, the covenant-God, that He thus guarded him. (See Note on Genesis 26:29.) Thy kindred.—Heb., thy birthplace, as in Genesis 12:1; Genesis 24:4; Genesis 24:7, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 31:3
Verse 3. And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return - and I will be with thee.] I will take the same care of thee in thy return, as I took of thee on thy way to this place. The Targum reads, My WORD shall be for thy help, see Genesis 15:1. A promise of this kind was essentially necessary for the encouragement of Jacob, especially at this time; and no doubt it was a powerful means of support to him through the whole journey; and it was particularly so when he heard that his brother was coming to meet him, with four hundred men in his retinue, Genesis 32:6. At that time he went and pleaded the very words of this promise with God, Genesis 32:9.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 31:3
3. And the Lord said] In a dream; cf. Genesis 31:11. the land of thy fathers] i.e. Canaan, as the country of Abraham and Isaac. I will be with thee] The renewal of the promise of the Divine Presence made to Jacob in Genesis 28:15; cf. Genesis 21:22, Genesis 26:24.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 31:3
3. Return — This word of Jehovah was as truly a divine call as that which led Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees.
Sermons on Genesis 31:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Man Who Lived on Promises by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about his son breaking his leg while being heroic at a low-budget camp. He emphasizes that explanations don't make us feel bette |
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(Genesis) Genesis 31:1-6 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob leaving Laban's household. Jacob decides to leave without giving notice, as he realizes that the influence of Laban and h |
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Through the Bible - Genesis 29-31 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses Jacob's journey to Haran, where he meets Rachel at a well, showcasing God's guidance in his life. Jacob's love for Rachel leads him to work seven years for he |
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Genesis #19 Ch. 29:31 - Ch. 31:14 the Sons of Israel by Chuck Missler | In this 19th study in the book of Genesis, Chuck Misler discusses Genesis chapter 29, verse 31, through chapter 31, verse 14. He begins by sharing an anecdote about meeting Malcolm |
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Jesus, the Ladder to Heaven by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob's encounter with God at a seemingly desolate place. Jacob, feeling homesick and lonely, finds himself in a situation where |
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May the Lord Give You a Full Reward by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of receiving and showing kindness. He references the story of Ruth and Boaz, highlighting Ruth's choice to be kind even when |
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(Genesis) Genesis 27-28:15 by Joe Focht | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing Jesus Christ personally rather than just knowing about Him. He shares his own experience of growing up in the churc |