Genesis 31

Jacob observing Labans envy departs with all he hath on Gods command and with the consent of his wives without Labans privity towards the land of Canaan and Rachel steals her fathers idols verse 1&c. Laban hearing of it pursues Jacob and overtake him at mount Gilead where he is warned not to deal otherwise then friendly with him nevertheless he taxeth him sharply for this secret departure and the stealing away of the idols 22. Jacob excuseth himself and when Laban could find his idols nowhere Jacob rebukes him vehemently upbraiding him with all the discourtness he had suffered as his hands 31 how be it at last they make a covenant between them and part as under in peace 34.

1. Then heard the words of Labans sons saying Jacob hath taken away all that was our fathers and that of which our fathers he hath made up all his glory [that is all this wealth which usually is attached with honor and glory.]

2. Jacob likewise looked at the face of Laban and behold that was not towards him as yesterday [that is as formerly it was not towards him as yesterday [that I as formerly it was thus the same words are likewise tank below verse 5 and Exodus 4:10 and 5.7,8 an 21.29 and Joshua 3:4 an d4.18 &c.]

3. And the Lord said to Jacob return to the land of thy fathers [that is the land of Canaan which I promised to thy father Isaac and grandfather Abraham although as yet they possess nothing in it but the field and the cave wherein Sarah was buried] and thy kindred and I will be with thee [see above chapter 21.2 and 6.24item below 32.9 where Jacob doth declare these words.]

4. Then Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field of his flock [there to confer with them about this matter without neglect of his calling and with more freedom and secrecy.]

5. And he said to them I see your fathers face that it is not towards name as yesterday & ere yesterday yet the God of my fathers [see above chapter 28.13] hath been with me [that is he appeared to me and commanded me to return into my own country see below verse 13.]

6. And ye know that I have served your father with all my might [as well of the mind with care and forecast as of the body by watching running drudging compare below verse 40 and 42.]

7. But your father hath dealt deceitfully with me [others hath mocked me] and hath changed my wages ten times [that oftentimes thus the word ten is often or frequently below verse 41 Leviticus 26:26 Numbers 14:22 and 1Samuel 1.8 Job 19:3] yet God hath not permitted him to do me ill.

8. whenever h said thus the speckled shall be thy wages then all the flock lambed or brought forth and speckled and whenever he said thus the ring straked shall be thy wages the flock lambed straked ones [observe here that the condition which Jacob made with Laban above chapter 30.32 were often altered through Labans greediness and the alteration long born through Jacobs meekness.]

9. Thus God withdraw all the cattle from your father and gave it to me [hence it appears that all the practice of Jacob did not proceed from any sinister and deceitful device of Jacob but from gods direction.]

10. and it happened at what time the flock was heated that I lifted up my eyes an did swain the dream [see above verse 5] and behold the he-goat [others rams it may be understood of both] which backed the flock were stracked speckled and bail-spotted [that is such a had spots of about the bigness and color of common hailstones distinguished from the speckled which had black stains upon the white skins.]

11. And the angel of God [understand the LORD Jesus Christ as appears above verse 5 and below verse 13] said to me in the dream Jacob and I said see here I am.

12. Do but lift up thy eyes and behold the he goats which back the flock are straked and hail-spotted for I have seen all that Laban doth to thee.

13. I am the God of Bethel [which did appear to thee at Bethel and promised to be with thee to keep thee and to bring thee back into Canaan] there thou didst set up the monuments where thou vowedst me a vow get thee up depart out of this land and return into the land of thy kindred [see above verse 3 and below verse 18.]

14. Then answered Rachel and Leah and said unto him is there a share yet for us or inheritance in our father’s house? [They imply none at all seeing he doth grudge the conditioned wages having so often changed and altered them.]

15. Are we not counted strangers of him?[he hath not put us forth like daughters with honest dowries but thrust us forth like servants for hired wages]for he hath sold us [to wit for thy fourteen years service which indeed was a kind of sale] and he hath likewise still consumed or eaten up [Heb. Eating eaten that is continually and all along] our money [by this money they understand the fruit and gain of Jacobs service which Laban not only kept for them but also consumed and spent it for himself without imparting ought of it unto them.]

16. For the riches or wealth God hath withdrawn from our fathers [see above on verse 9] the same is ours and ours sons/ [that is children as frequently] now do all what God hath said unto thee.

17. Then Jacob got himself up and put his sons [children] and his wives upon the camels.

18. And he led away all his cattle and all his substance that he had gotten the cattle which he possess [Heb. Cattle of his possession] which he had gotten at Paddan Aram [see above chapter 25.20] for to come to Isaac his father the land of Canaan.

19. Laban now was going to share his sheep then Rachel stole his fathers Teraphram which her father had [the teraphrim were a sort of image of the shape of men 1Samuel 19.13,18 for idols Genesis 31:30,32 to enquire of them of things to come Ezechiah 21.21 and by whom they were received the devil answer true or false Zachariah 10.2 of the teraphims you may likewise see Judges 17:5 and 18.14,17,18,20 1Samuel 15.15 ,23 and 2Kings 23.24 and Hosiah 3.4 these teraphims Laban through otherwise the true God was not unknown to him above chapter 30 verse 7 and in this chapter verse 24 and 9 honored with divine worship endeavoring thus to serve God and the idols together or altogether to keep under the supress the worship of god through idoalatry in unrighteousness this is the first scripture makes mention of idols although they were in use long before.]

20. And Jacob stole himself away from the heart of Laban of Syrian [that is he got away secretly and stealingly as it were without Laban leave and privity as the following words declare and verse 26 and 27 in the sense the like phrase is also used 2 Samuel 19:3 but in another sense 2 Samuel 15:6 the reason and ground of his sudden and private withdrawing seemed to have been an instinct and express command from God verse 13] in as much as he had not made it known to him that he fled.

21. And he fled and all that was his and he got him up and passed over the river [viz. Phrath or Euphrats running between Chaldea and Canaan above chapter 2.14and 15.18 without opposition of proper name the same is called the river for its greatness and same sake both here and Exodus 23:31 Joshua24.2,3&c.] and he set his face [or directed or put that is he purposed and resolved to take away homewards see Jeremiah 50:5 and Luke 19.51 and 53] to mount Gilead [lying behind Phenicia beyond Jordan and bordering on mount Libanus at the bottom of his mount here lay a very precious country likewise called Gilead being very fruitful and full of pasture below chapter 37.25 Deuteronomy 34:1 Jeremiah 8:22 and 22.6 this ;land was afterwards taken from the Amorites and did fall in partition to the tribes of Gad and Reuben the tribe of Manasseh see Numbers 32:1 &c. Deuteronomy 3:12,13,15,16 Joshua 13:8,9,10,11 &c.]

22. And the third day news was brought to Laban [whose stock was kept at three days from Jacobs above chapter 30.36] that Jacob was fled.

23. Then he took his brethren with him [that is some of the kindred and kinsmen and so in the sequel] and pursued after him a way f seven days [that is seven days journey see above chapter 30 verses 36] and he apprehended him on mount Gilead.

24. Yet God came to Laban [viz. before he took Jacob or was come up to him] the Syrian in a dream by night [see chapter 20 on verse 3] and he said unto him take heed that thou speak not with Jacob either good or ill [Heb. From good to the bad that is thou shalt go about to withdraw him from his journey by any fair soul means but suffers him to march on and perform it compare above chapter 24.50.]

25. And Laban overtook Jacob now had pitched his tent [Heb. Fastened fixed] on that mount Laban also with his brethren pitched his on the Gilead.

26. Then said Laban to Jacob what hast thou done that thou hast stolen thyself away from my heart [see above verse 20] and carried my daughters away as captives taken with the sword? [That is such as are carried away by force against their will which Laban wrongfully lays to Jacobs charge seeing above verse 14, 15, and 16.]

27. Why art thou fled secretly [wherefore didst thou hide thyself flee?] andhast stolen thee away from me? [That is why didst thou depart from me in such a stealing manner without my knowledge and consent? compare this with verse 20 before others read why hast thou stolen from me [viz. my own or robbed me of my own? And hast not acquainted me with it that I might have conducted thee see above chapter 18 on verse 16] with joy with songs with the drum with the harp? [See above Genesis 4 on verse 21.]

28. Neither hast thou permitted me to kiss [see above chapter 29 on verse 13] my sons my daughters now thou hast don foolishly so doing.

29. It were in power of my hand to do ill but thy father God spake to me yester night saying take heed of speaking with Jacob either good or bad [see above on verse 24.]

30. And now since thou wouldst need to depart [Heb. Art going gone] for thou wast so disastrous [Heb. Desiring desirest] after the fathers house why hast thou stolen away my God? [A strange blindness in Laban that he held his idol for God which nevertheless according to his own opinion could be stolen away compare above verse 19.]

31. Then answered Jacob and said to Laban because I was afraid for I said [viz. with myself that is I thought or considered see above chapter 20.11 others I say to my wives or to my family] I lest peradventure thou force away thy daughters from me [Heb. From with me.]

32. With whom thou shalt find thy God let him not live discover or make known discern [Heb. Make known for thee see above chapter 12 on verse 1] before our brethren what is with me [viz. of thy goods] and take it to thee for Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

33. Then Laban went into Jacobs tent and into Leah’s tent and into both the hands maids tents and he found nothing and when he was gone out of Leah’s tent he came into Rachel’s tent.

34. but Rachel had taken the terahims and she had put them in the camels saddle furniture [others litter] and she sate upon the same and Laban felt all the tents over and he found nothing.

35. and he said to her father let not anger kindle in my Lords eyes [that is let it not provoke my Lords displeasure which discovers itself most readily in the eyes] that I cannot rise up before thy face for it goeth with me after manner of women [Heb. The way of women is upon me] but he searched and found not the teraphins.

36. Then Jacob grew and increased and contended with Laban and Jacob answered and said to Laban what is my trespass? What is my sin? That thou hast so hotly pursued me? [Heb. That thou doth often times signify to pursue one with a burning eager fierce and hostile mind as 1Samuel 17.53 Psalms 10:2 Lamentations 4:19.]

37. When thou feltest all my household staff [Heb. All my vessels and so by and by of all the vessels of thy house] why hast thou found of all the vessels of thy house? Lay it down here before my brethren and thy brethren and let them judge between us both.

38. These twenty years have I been with thee thy ewes and thy goats have not miscarried and the rams of thy flock I have not eaten.

39. The torn I have not brought to thee I made amends for or expiated it or thou hast required it at my hand whether it was stolen by day or stolen by night [that Jacob was made to make good to Laban what was torn by the wild beast was unjust and contrary to the law Exodus 2:13.]

40. I was that by day the heat consumed me and the frost by night and my sleep retired from my eyes [others fled or ran like the phrase here we have Esther chapter 6.1.]

41. I have been twenty years now in thy house Heb. These were twenty years to me in thy house] I have served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters and six years for thy flock[that is for such a portion of thy flock as fall to my share by the wages conditioned on between us] and thou hast changed my wages ten times [see above on verse 7.]

42. Where it not that God of my father the God of Abraham and fear of Isaac [that is the same God whom my father Isaac serves with so much fear and reverence thus God is called our fear Isaiah 8.13by reason of the filial awe and fear we ought to stand in before him.] hath been with me assuredly thou wouldst have sent me now empty away God hath looked upon the affliction and the labor of my hands [the looking on or regarding of God betoken his present mercy and assistance as above chapter 16.13 and 29.32 Exodus 3:7,9 Psalms 31:8 and here or his judgments and execution of it above chapter 11.5 and 1 Chronicles 12:17&c.] and rebuked thee yester night.

43. Then Laban answered and said unto Jacob these daughters are my daughters and these sons are my sons and this flock is my flock ye all what thou sest is mine and what should I do this day to these my daughters?[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 shew of seeking friendship seeing he was not able to do any hurt or mischief to Jacob and his this was the special over ruling of our Lord who had appeared unto Laban for this very end.] or to their sons other children whom they bear?

44. Now then come let us make a covenant [see above chapter 15 on verse 18] I and thou that it may be for a witness between me and between thee.

45. Then Jacob took a stone [shewing thereby that letting pass by all former complaints he was very ready to accept of and enter into the covenant offered] and he raised it for a monument.

46. And Jacob said to his brethren [kinsmen friends that were with him see above verse 32 and 37 and below verse 54] gather stones and they took stones and made an heap and they did eat thereupon thy heap [viz. after the making and establishing of the covenant.]

47. And Laban called it Jegar Sehadutha [that is in the Syrian language Labans own heap of witness regarding the covenant which they made together]but Jacob called the same thing which the former Syrians mane did for Jacob being an Hebrew would likewise give this heap a name in his own language.]

48. Then Laban said this heap be a witness today between me and between thee therefore they called the name of it Gilead.

49. And Mizpa [Heb. Mitzpah that is a place of inspection or surveying or guard, watch, being that (as follows) God was to have that care and oversight how this covenant should be observed] because he said: The LORD take inspection [or insight] between me and between thee, when he shall be hidden the one from the other. [Heb. The man from his neighbor or friend, that is when we shall be so far parted, and out of sight of one another.]

50. If thou afflict or oppress my daughters and if thou take wives above my daughters nobody is with us [that is there is none else with us to bear witness and to punish the transgressor others none shall be with us viz. when we are parted once as under but God &c.] behold God shall be witness between me and between thee.

51. Laban said moreover to Jacob behold there is this same heap and behold there is this monument which I have cats upon between me and between thee.

52. This same heap be witness and this monument he witness that I shall not come to thee passing by this heap[others if I &c. viz. concerning 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 I that pass here to thee ward that I shall not do it for evil nor thou neither] and that thou shall not come to passing by this heap and monument of evil.

53. The God of Nahor the God of their father judge between us [he intermixeth here the God of Abraham the only true God with the idols which Terah Nahor and Abraham himself before his conversion he served in Chaldea Joshua 24.2not only to comply a little with Jacob but also like an idolatrous dissembler to halt on both sides others hold that Laban spake right out of the idolatrous manner the Gods of Abraham and the God of Nahor of their father &c. by which words he should reproach Jacob that he had forsaken religion of his forefathers and that in opposition thereunto there is put down Jacobs oath apart likewise which he had made by there God alone] and Jacob swear by the fear of his father Isaac [see above verse 42.]

54. Then did Jacob slay a slaying [that is beast fit for slaughter preparing for the ensuring joyful feast the Hebrew word indeed is used for offering sacrifice but for slaying towards a feast likewise as 1Samuel 28.24 and 1 Kings 1:9 2 Chronicles 18:27&c.] on that mount and he invited his brethren for to eat bread [that is to the feast he had made to take their repast with him see below chapter 27.25 Exodus 18:12 and 2Kings 6.22 and Luke 14:1 &c.] and they did eat bread overnight on that mountain.

55. and Laban raised early up in the morning and kissed [see above chapter 29 on verse 11] his sons and his daughters and blessed them and Laban went his way and returned to his place [by Labans blessings is to be understood that he wished them all happiness and posterity at their parting as it was the received custom when people met thus to greet one another only at parting but in arriving see below chapter 47.7,10 and Ruth 2:4 1samuel 8.10.]