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Themes in Genesis 31

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Themes in Genesis 31

Genesis 31:1 (show verse)

Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying: Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father. He has gained all his wealth from him.

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)

He also noticed that Laban did not appear as friendly to him as before.

Countenance » Reading of
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:3 (show verse)

Jehovah said to Jacob: Go back to the land of your ancestors and to your relatives. 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)

Then Jacob sent a message to Rachel and Leah to come out to the open country where his flocks were.

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)

He said to them: I have seen that your father's attitude toward me is not as friendly as before. The God of my father 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 both know that I have worked for 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 he has cheated me. He changed my wages ten times. However, God did not let him harm 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

Genesis 31:8 (show verse)

When Laban said, 'The speckled goats shall be your wages,' all the flocks produced speckled young. When he said, 'The striped goats shall be your wages,' all the flocks produced striped young.

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:9 (show verse)

This way God has taken sheep and goats from your father and given them to me.

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:10 (show verse)

Once, when the flocks were mating, I dreamed that all the rams were either spotted or speckled.

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

Genesis 31:11 (show verse)

Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' 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, now (please), that all the male goats that are mating are striped, speckled, or spotted, because I have seen everything that Laban is 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. That is where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Arise and leave this land. 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 asked: Do we still have any portion or inheritance 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 accounted as foreigners by him? He sold us and also utterly consumed the price paid for us.

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)

For all the riches that God took away from our father belong to us and to our children. Do what God told you to do.

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

Genesis 31:17 (show verse)

Then Jacob 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

He drove all his livestock ahead of him. He took all the possessions that he had accumulated. He took his own livestock that he had accumulated in Paddan-aram and went back to his father Isaac in 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 went to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household idols.

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)

Jacob also tricked Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was leaving.

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

Genesis 31:21 (show verse)

He left in a hurry with all that belonged to him. He crossed the Euphrates River and went toward the mountains of Gilead.

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)

Three days after he left, 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)

Laban took his men with him and pursued Jacob for seven days until he caught up with 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)

In a dream that night God came to Laban. God said: Be careful not to threaten Jacob in any way.

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)

Jacob camped on a mountain. So when Laban caught up with Jacob as he was camped in the hill country of Gilead, he set up his camp not far from Jacod's.

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)

Laban said to Jacob: Why did you deceive me and carry off my daughters like women captured in war?

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 deceive me and slip away without telling me? If you had told me, I would have sent you on your way with rejoicing and singing to the music of tambourines and harps.

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)

You did not even let me give a kiss to my sons and my daughters. This was a foolish thing you did.

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 do you harm. But the God of your father came to me this night. He said, 'Take care that you say nothing good or bad to Jacob.'

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

Genesis 31:30 (show verse)

It appears that you are going because your heart's desire is for your father's house. But why have you taken my 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 was afraid you might take your daughters 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)

As for your gods, if anyone of us has them, let him be put to death. Make a search in front of us all for what is yours, and take it. Jacob had no knowledge that Rachel had taken them.

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 into the tents of the two servant-women, but they were not there. He left Leah's tent and went into Rachel's.

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)

Rachel took the images. She put them in the camels' basket and was seated on them. Laban searched through the tent and 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)

Rachel said to her father: Do not be angry, Father, but I cannot get up to greet you. I am having my period. So even though Laban had made a thorough search, he did not find the 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)

Jacob lost his temper. What crime have I committed? he asked angrily. What law have I broken that gives you the right to hunt me down?

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)

Now that you have searched through all my belongings, what household article have you found that belongs to you? Put it out here where your men and mine can see it. Let them decide which one of us is right.

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)

I have been with you now for twenty years. Your sheep and your goats have not failed to reproduce. I have not even eaten any rams from 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 always absorbed the loss when wild animals killed a sheep. I did not take it to you to show that it was not my fault. You demanded that I make good anything that was stolen during the day or during the 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)

Many times I suffered from the heat during the day and from the cold at night. I was not able to 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)

I have been in your house twenty years! I was your servant for fourteen years because of your daughters. I kept your flock for six years. You 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, out of respect for Isaac, had not been with me, you would have sent me away empty-handed by now. God has seen my misery and hard work. Last night he made it right!

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)

Then Laban answered Jacob: These are my daughters, my grandchildren, and my flocks. Everything you see is mine! Yet, what can I do today for my daughters or for their children?

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

Genesis 31:44 (show verse)

Now, let us make an agreement (covenant) and let it stand 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)

Jacob took a stone and set it up as a marker.

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 some stones. They took stones, put them into a pile, and ate there by the pile of stones.

Genesis 31:47 (show verse)

In his language, Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha (Witness Pile), 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 pile of stones stands as a witness between you and me today. This is why it was named Galeed,

Genesis 31:49 (show verse)

and also Mizpah (Watchtower), because he said: May Jehovah watch between you and me when we are unable to see each other.

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 mistreat my daughters or marry other women behind my back, remember that God stands as a 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 also said to Jacob: Here is the pile of stones. Here is the marker that 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 pile of stones and this marker stand as witnesses that I will not go past the pile of stones to harm you, and that you will not go past the pile of stones or marker 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)

May the God of Abraham and Nahor the God of their father judge between us. So Jacob swore this oath out of respect for 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)

He offered a sacrifice on the mountain. He invited his relatives to eat the meal with him. They ate with him 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 the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban left and went back home.

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