Genesis 31

Genesis 31:3

VNto thy kinred] The Italian hath it: Unto thy native place.]

Genesis 31:5

But the] He wisheth mee evill wrongfully, seeing I have been faithfull to him and likewise lucky for his profit, through the blessing of God.

Genesis 31:8

If ee said] Laban had agreed with Jacob, Genesis 30:32. that generally all the Sheep or Goats which were spotted, browne, or black, should be his; but afterwards seeing that those coloured broods, multiplyed beyond his expectation, he restrained them to one of these colours.

Genesis 31:10

The Rams] the Italian hath it: The he goats] The sense is, that God by this vision sheweth him how he would by myracle work this bringing forth of spotted broods, from flockes that were all white, as if the old ones had beene of the same spotted colour.

Genesis 31:11

The Angell] The Sonne of God Himselfe, 13. See Gen. 16. 7. and 18. 13. and 22, 11.

Genesis 31:12

For I] Because Laban is ingratefull and disloyall unto thee, and the bargaine which thou hast made with him, depends wholly upon me: I will favour thee by miracle.

Genesis 31:13

Of Bethel] The same God which appeared to thee in that place, and who doth take care of thee, as at that time I did promise thee.

Genesis 31:15

Sold us] That is to say married us at a certaine price, and in manner of bargaining by which he hath made profit, and hath not given it us for our portions, as reason and custome required.

Genesis 31:16

That is ours] By right, without this meanes, wherein God hath wrought so miraculously; should have beene ous, for the part of our Fathers goods, which belongeth unto us, and for thy service.

Genesis 31:19

Had stollen] It is not set downe to what end, but it is likely that she was infected with her fathers, and his housholds Idolatry, see Genesis 35:2. Joshua 24:2.The Images] The Italian hath it, The Idols] they were certaine little humane pictures, consecrated to bee little houshold, and moveable Gods: 30. 1 Samuel 19:13. The Hebrew word signifieth, pollutions, a common name to Idols. Now it is likely that Laban’s Idolatry, did not runne so far as to worship the Pagans false gods, but to worship the true God, in certaine representations and remembrances: see Exodus 32:4-5. 2 Kings 10:28-29.

Genesis 31:21

The river] That is Euphrates Gilead] so called by anticipation: 47.

Genesis 31:23

His brethren] That is to say his neerest Kindred.

Genesis 31:24

Speak not] The Italian hath it, That thou come not to words] That is to say of strife, neither to contend with him, nor yet to do him any violence.

Genesis 31:33

Leahs] See of these severall roomes for women, for civilitie: Genesis 24:67.

Genesis 31:40

Thus I was] The Italian, I have carried my self o] I have served thee with all diligence, vigilancy, and fidelity, and have been alwayes present and ready, when they businesse hath required it.

Genesis 31:41

Ten times] That is as much as to say, many times.

Genesis 31:42

The feare] The true God who hath so often appeared to Isaac in his terrible Majestie, a thing opposite to the vaine terrours of Idolaters.

Genesis 31:43

These] Since thou art so neere unto me, I hold thy good to be my good, and therefore do not intend to do thee any wrong.

Genesis 31:44

Let it be] Let this formalitie of agreement, put us in minde of our enterchangeable bond, and tie us thereunto more strictly, by reason of the oath which passed therein.

Genesis 31:45

A pillar] A monument of this agreement on Jacobs side, as the heap of stones on Labans.

Genesis 31:46

They did eat] Namely after that they had sworne: 54.

Genesis 31:47

Johar-Sagadutha] This is a Syriack name: Galed the Hebrew: and they both signifie the selfe same thing, that is a heap of witnesse. So it is manifest that the holy language, remained pure in the blessed generation, together with the pure service of God Gaced] The Italian hath Galed, so by a little change, afterward was framed the name of Galaad.

Genesis 31:48

This day] Is set for a remembrance of our covenans.

Genesis 31:49

Mizpah] That is a view, or watch tower.

Genesis 31:51

Betwixt me] To be as a bound, or a barre, to stay all our differences, and every evill thought.

Genesis 31:53

The God] The Italian hath it, The Gods] It appeareth by Joshua 24:2. that before Abrahams departure they served God in his fathers house, in pictures, and representations, which are in that place called strange Gods, because that prophane nations did use it. And it seemeth Laban would confirme his idelatrie, as being the true Divine service, used by his ancestors.

Genesis 31:54

Sacrifice] To give thanks for the preservation and blessing of the covenants. And in these sacrifices, after they had offered unto God those parts which were due unto him, the rest was spent in holy feasts of mirth: 1. Sam. 9. 12. and 16. 2 To eat] That is to say to take food.