Thematic Bible

Themes in Genesis 31

AMP

Themes in Genesis 31

Genesis 31:1 (show verse)

Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying: “Jacob has taken away everything that was our father’s, and from what belonged to our father he has acquired all this wealth and honor.”

Envy » Exemplified » Laban's sons
Envy » Instances of » Laban's sons, of jacob
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Slander » Exemplified » Laban's sons

Genesis 31:2 (show verse)

Jacob noticed [a change in] the attitude of Laban, and saw that it was not friendly toward him as before.

Countenance » Reading of
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:3 (show verse)

Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your people, and I will be with you.”

Communion » Instances of » Isaac, in dreams
divine Direction » Explicit instructions given » Returning home
God » Presence of » In the pilgrimage of life
divine Guidance » Explicit instructions given » Returning home
jacob » Prophecies concerning himself and his descendants
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
divine Presence » Comfort » In the pilgrimage of life

Genesis 31:4 (show verse)

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to his flock in the field,

Husbands' » Duty of, to wives » To consult with them
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Leah » Flees with jacob
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father

Genesis 31:5 (show verse)

and he said to them, “I see [a change in] your father’s attitude, that he is not friendly toward me as [he was] before; but the God of my father [Isaac] has been with me.

Countenance » Reading of
Husbands' » Duty of, to wives » To consult with them
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:6 (show verse)

You know that I have served your father with all my strength.

Husbands' » Duty of, to wives » To consult with them
Industry » Exemplified » jacob
Ingratitude » Exemplified » Laban
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Servant » Hired » Re-employed

Genesis 31:7 (show verse)

Yet your father has cheated me [as often as possible] and changed my wages ten times; but God did not allow him to hurt me.

Business life » Employers » bad examples
Business life » Employers » Bad
Contracts » Violated
Covetousness » Instances of » Laban » In deceiving jacob in wages
Deceit » Exemplified » Laban
Father-in-law » Unjust, laban to jacob
Husbands' » Duty of, to wives » To consult with them
Ingratitude » Exemplified » Laban
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Master » Unjust master, instances of » Laban to jacob
Masters' » Duty of, toward servants » Not to defraud them
Servant » Hired » Re-employed
Servants » When good » Are protected by God
Ten » Used for an indefinite number
Wages » Of jacob

If he said, ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then the entire flock gave birth to speckled [young]; and if he said, ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then the entire flock gave birth to streaked [young].

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:9 (show verse)

Thus God has taken away the flocks of your father and given them to me.

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:10 (show verse)

And it happened at the time when the flock conceived that I looked up and saw in a dream that the rams which mated [with the female goats] were streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Dream » Instances of » The ring-straked cattle
Dreams » Mentioned in scripture, of » jacob
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:11 (show verse)

And the Angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’

Dream » Instances of » The ring-straked cattle
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:12 (show verse)

He said, ‘Look up and see, all the rams which are mating [with the flock] are streaked, speckled, and spotted; for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.

Dream » Instances of » The ring-straked cattle
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:13 (show verse)

I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar, and where you made a vow to Me; now stand up, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’”

Anointing » In consecration » Jacob's pillar: at beth-el
Beth-el » A city » A city north of jerusalem » The place where jacob saw the vision of the ladder
Dream » Instances of » The ring-straked cattle
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Pillar » Monuments erected to commemorate events » By jacob, his vision of angels
Pillars » Of memorial » To witness vows
Pillars » Of memorial » Often anointed
Vows » Recorded in scripture » Of jacob

Genesis 31:14 (show verse)

Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?

Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Leah » Flees with jacob
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father
Wife » Loyal

Genesis 31:15 (show verse)

Are we not counted by him as foreigners? For he sold us [to you in marriage], and has also entirely used up our purchase price.

Covetousness » Instances of » Laban » In deceiving jacob in wages
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father
Wife » Loyal

Genesis 31:16 (show verse)

Surely all the riches which God has taken from our father are ours and our children’s. Now then, whatever God has told you to do, do it.”

Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father
Wife » Loyal

Genesis 31:17 (show verse)

Then Jacob stood [and took action] and put his children and his wives on camels;

Camel » Uses of » For riding
Haran » Also called charran » Returns from, with rachel and leah
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Leah » Flees with jacob
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father

Genesis 31:18 (show verse)

and he drove away all his livestock and [took along] all his property which he had acquired, the livestock he had obtained and accumulated in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

Animals » Names of » Cattle
Business life » Miscellaneous topics relating to » Goods
Haran » Also called charran » Returns from, with rachel and leah
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father

Genesis 31:19 (show verse)

When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel [went inside the house and] stole her father’s household gods.

Dishonesty » Instances of » Rachel steals the household gods
Haran » Also called charran » Returns from, with rachel and leah
Idolatry » Early notice of, amongst God's professing people
Images » Other objects of worship » Teraphim, images, household gods
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father
Sheep » Shearing of
Stealing » Examples of
Teraphim » used by » Laben » Stolen by » Rachel
Theft » Exemplified » Rachel
Theft and thieves » Instances of » By rachel, of the household gods (teraphim)
Women » Instances of » Rachel, in stealing images
false Worship » Other objects of worship » Teraphim, images, household gods
FALSE » Other objects of worship » Teraphim, images, household gods

Genesis 31:20 (show verse)

And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean (Syrian) by not telling him that he intended to leave and he slipped away secretly.

Haran » Also called charran » Returns from, with rachel and leah
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:21 (show verse)

So he fled with everything that he had, and got up and crossed the river [Euphrates], and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead [east of the Jordan River].

Gilead » Mount of
Gilead » A mountain » Laban overtakes jacob at
Haran » Also called charran » Returns from, with rachel and leah
Laban » Outwitted by jacob
Mountains » Names of » Gilead
Mountains » Mentioned in scripture » Gilead

Genesis 31:22 (show verse)

On the third day [after his departure] Laban was told that Jacob had fled.

Gilead » A mountain » Laban overtakes jacob at
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him

Genesis 31:23 (show verse)

So he took his relatives with him and pursued him for seven days, and they overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

Gilead » A mountain » Laban overtakes jacob at
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Travelers » Estimated the length of their journey by the number of days which it occupied

Genesis 31:24 (show verse)

God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Dream » Instances of » Of laban, concerning jacob
Dreams » Mentioned in scripture, of » Laban
Gilead » A mountain » Laban overtakes jacob at
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Night » God frequently » Revealed his will in

Genesis 31:25 (show verse)

Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent on the hill, and Laban with his relatives camped on the same hill of Gilead.

Gilead » Mount of
Gilead » A mountain » Laban overtakes jacob at
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Mountains » Names of » Gilead
Mountains » Mentioned in scripture » Gilead

Genesis 31:26 (show verse)

Then Laban said to Jacob, “What do you mean by deceiving me and leaving without my knowledge, and carrying off my daughters as if [they were] captives of the sword?

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Parents » Parental affection exemplified by » Laban

Genesis 31:27 (show verse)

Why did you run away secretly and deceive me and not tell me, so that [otherwise] I might have sent you away with joy and with songs, with [music on the] tambourine and lyre?

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Chosen Instruments » Names of » Tabrets
Harp » Used in festivities
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Music » Names of » Tabrets
Music » Custom of sending away friends with
Musical instruments » Names of » Tabrets
Parents » Parental affection exemplified by » Laban
Travelers » Friends of » Often sent them away with music

Genesis 31:28 (show verse)

And why did you not allow me to kiss my grandchildren and my daughters [goodbye]? Now you have done a foolish thing [in behaving like this].

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Family » Examples of fathers' love » Laban
Fathers » Examples of fathers' love » Laban
Home » Examples of fathers' love » Laban
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Love » Examples of fathers' love » Laban
Love » Paternal » Laban
Love » Fathers » Laban
Parents » Examples of fathers' love » Laban
Parents » Parental affection exemplified by » Laban
Paternal love » Examples of fathers' love » Laban

Genesis 31:29 (show verse)

It is in my power to harm you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to speak to Jacob, either good or bad.’

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him

Genesis 31:30 (show verse)

Now [I suppose] you felt you must go because you were homesick for your father’s house and family; but why did you steal my [household] gods?”

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Home » Examples of love of » jacob
Home » Love of » jacob
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Love » Of home » jacob
Stealing » Examples of
Teraphim » used by » Laben » Stolen by » Rachel

Genesis 31:31 (show verse)

Jacob answered Laban, “[I left secretly] because I was afraid, for I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Cowardice » Instances of » Jacob, in flying from laban
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Teraphim » used by » Laben » Stolen by » Rachel

Genesis 31:32 (show verse)

The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our relatives [search my possessions and] point out whatever you find that belongs to you and take it.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Teraphim » used by » Laben » Stolen by » Rachel

Genesis 31:33 (show verse)

So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he came out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent.

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father
Tent » Women had separate tents from men
Tents » Separate, for the servants
Teraphim » used by » Laben » Stolen by » Rachel
Women » Had separate apartments in dwellings

Genesis 31:34 (show verse)

Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel’s saddlebag and sat on them. Laban searched through all her tent, but did not find them.

Camels » Furniture of, alluded to
Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Images » Other objects of worship » Teraphim, images, household gods
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father
Teraphim » used by » Laben » Stolen by » Rachel
Theft and thieves » Instances of » By rachel, of the household gods (teraphim)
Women » Instances of » Rachel, in stealing images
false Worship » Other objects of worship » Teraphim, images, household gods
FALSE » Other objects of worship » Teraphim, images, household gods

Genesis 31:35 (show verse)

So Rachel said to her father, “Do not be displeased, my lord, that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is on me and I am unwell.” He searched [further] but did not find the household idols.

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Manners » In presence of » Superiors
Menstruation » Immunities of women during
Rachel » Steals the household images (teraphim, legal deed) of her father
Teraphim » Condemned and disposed of by jacob
Teraphim » used by » Laben » Stolen by » Rachel
Theft and thieves » Instances of » By rachel, of the household gods (teraphim)

Genesis 31:36 (show verse)

Then Jacob became angry and argued with Laban. And he said to Laban, “What is my fault? What is my sin that you pursued me like this?

Anger » Justifiable, exemplified » jacob
Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Dishonesty » Instances of » Laban's treatment of jacob
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Servants » Good--exemplified » jacob
Strife » Exemplified » Laban and jacob
Strife » Instances of » Laban and jacob
Teraphim » Condemned and disposed of by jacob

Genesis 31:37 (show verse)

Although you have searched through all my possessions, what have you found of your household goods? Put it here before my relatives and your relatives, so that they may decide [who has done right] between the two of us.

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Dishonesty » Instances of » Laban's treatment of jacob
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Servants » Good--exemplified » jacob
Teraphim » Condemned and disposed of by jacob

Genesis 31:38 (show verse)

These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not lost their young, nor have I eaten the rams of your flocks.

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Dishonesty » Instances of » Laban's treatment of jacob
Ingratitude » Should be met with » Faithfulness
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Servants » Good--exemplified » jacob
Shepherd » One who cares for flocks of sheep
Teraphim » Condemned and disposed of by jacob

Genesis 31:39 (show verse)

I did not bring you the torn carcasses [of the animals attacked by predators]; I [personally] took the loss. You required of me [to make good] everything that was stolen, whether it occurred by day or night.

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Conscience » Faithful » Of jacob, in his care of laban's property
Days » Artificial, the time of the sun's continuance above the horizon
Dishonesty » Instances of » Laban's treatment of jacob
Father-in-law » Unjust, laban to jacob
Ingratitude » Should be met with » Faithfulness
Integrity » Instances of » Jacob, in the care of laban's property
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Night » Favorable to the purposes of the wicked
Servants » Good--exemplified » jacob
Shepherd » One who cares for flocks of sheep
Teraphim » Condemned and disposed of by jacob

Genesis 31:40 (show verse)

This was my situation: by day the heat consumed me and by night the cold, and I could not sleep.

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Days » Artificial, the time of the sun's continuance above the horizon
Diligence » Exemplified » jacob
Dishonesty » Instances of » Laban's treatment of jacob
Father-in-law » Unjust, laban to jacob
Ingratitude » Should be met with » Faithfulness
jacob » Summary of his character » Industrious
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Meteorology » Frost
Night » Frequently » Cold and frosty
Night » Eastern shepherds watched over their flocks during
Servants » Good--exemplified » jacob
Shepherd » One who cares for flocks of sheep
Virtues » Industry » Examples of
physical Work » Business life » Industry » Examples of

Genesis 31:41 (show verse)

These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for [my share of] your flocks, and you have changed my wages ten times.

Business life » Dishonesty » Examples of
Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Covetousness » Instances of » Laban » In deceiving jacob in wages
Covetousness » Natural fruits of » Oppression
Covetousness » Exemplified » Laban
Dishonesty » Examples of
Dishonesty » Instances of » Laban's treatment of jacob
Father-in-law » Unjust, laban to jacob
Ingratitude » Should be met with » Faithfulness
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Servant » Hired » Re-employed
Vices » Dishonesty » Examples of
Wages » Of jacob

Genesis 31:42 (show verse)

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and [the Feared One] of Isaac, had not been with me, most certainly you would have sent me away now empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and humiliation and the [exhausting] labor of my hands, so He rendered judgment and rebuked you last night.”

Chiding » Isaac and laban chide each other
Covetousness » Instances of » Laban » In deceiving jacob in wages
Dishonesty » Instances of » Laban's treatment of jacob
Father-in-law » Unjust, laban to jacob
Ingratitude » Should be met with » Faithfulness
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Servants » When good » Have God with them
Thankfulness » To God, instances of » Of jacob

Genesis 31:43 (show verse)

Laban answered Jacob, “These women [that you married] are my daughters, these children are my grandchildren, these flocks are [from] my flocks, and all that you see [here] is mine. But what can I do today to these my daughters or to their children to whom they have given birth?

Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him

Genesis 31:44 (show verse)

So come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me.”

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Oaths » Used for » Confirming covenants

Genesis 31:45 (show verse)

So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a [memorial] pillar.

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Of men with men » Ratified » By a monument
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Covenants » Pillars raised in token of
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Pillar » By jacob, his covenant with laban
memorial Pillars » Memorial
Stones » Memorial pillars of

Genesis 31:46 (show verse)

Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a mound [of stones], and they ate [a ceremonial meal together] there on the mound [of stones].

Genesis 31:47 (show verse)

Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha (stone monument of testimony in Aramaic), but Jacob called it Galeed.

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Covenants » Names given to places where made
Galeed » The memorial of jacob's and laban's covenant
Jegar-sahadutha » Heap of stones » On mount gilead
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Stones » Memorial pillars of

Genesis 31:48 (show verse)

Laban said, “This mound [of stones] is a witness [a reminder of the oath taken] today between you and me.” Therefore he [also] called the name Galeed,

Genesis 31:49 (show verse)

and Mizpah (watchtower), for Laban said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent from one another.

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Of men with men » Ratified » By a monument
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Covenants » Names given to places where made
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Mizpah » In gilead
Stones » Memorial pillars of

Genesis 31:50 (show verse)

If you should mistreat (humiliate, oppress) my daughters, or if you should take other wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us [as a witness], see and remember, God is witness between you and me.”

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Of men with men » Ratified » By a monument
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Covenants » Designed for » Mutual protection
Covenants » God often called to witness
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Stones » Memorial pillars of

Genesis 31:51 (show verse)

Laban said to Jacob, “Look at this mound [of stones] and look at this pillar which I have set up between you and me.

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Of men with men » Ratified » By a monument
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Covenants » Designed for » Mutual protection
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Pillars » Things raised up as memorials
Stones » Memorial pillars of

Genesis 31:52 (show verse)

This mound is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass by this mound to harm you, and that you will not pass by this mound and this pillar to harm me.

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Of men with men » Ratified » By a monument
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Covenants » Designed for » Mutual protection
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Pillars » Of memorial » To witness covenants
Stones » Memorial pillars of

Genesis 31:53 (show verse)

The God of Abraham [your father] and the God of Nahor [my father], and the god [the image of worship] of their father [Terah, an idolater], judge between us.” But Jacob swore [only] by [the one true God] the Fear of his father Isaac.

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Of men with men » Ratified » By a monument
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Covenants » God often called to witness
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Nahor » Brother of abraham
Oath » Jacob confirms the covenant between him and laban by
Oaths » In covenants
Oaths » Used for » Confirming covenants
Oaths » Expressions used as » By the fear of isaac

Genesis 31:54 (show verse)

Then Jacob offered a sacrifice [to the Lord] on the mountain, and called his relatives to the meal; and they ate food and spent the night on the mountain.

Contracts » By erecting a heap of stones
Covenant » Instances of » Jacob and laban
Covenants » Followed by a feast
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Offering voluntary sacrifice
Entertainments » Given on occasions of » Ratifying covenants
High places » Sometimes used for true worship
High places » A term used to describe places of worship
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Places » High » Sometimes used for true worship
Sacrifices » Were offered » By the patriarchs

Genesis 31:55 (show verse)

Early in the morning Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters [goodbye] and pronounced a blessing [asking God’s favor] on them. Then Laban left and returned home.

Kiss » Of affection
Laban » Pursues jacob, overtakes him at mount gilead, and covenants with him
Rising » Instances of » Laban