Thematic Bible

Themes in Genesis 31

ALL

Themes in Genesis 31

Genesis 31:1 (show verse)

Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth.”

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 saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as formerly.

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 relatives, 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 said to them, “I see your father’s attitude, that it is not friendly toward me as formerly, but 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 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 and changed my wages ten times; however, 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

Genesis 31:8 (show verse)

If he spoke thus, ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flock brought forth speckled; and if he spoke thus, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock brought forth striped.

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:9 (show verse)

Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me.

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:10 (show verse)

And it came about at the time when the flock were mating that I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which were mating were striped, speckled, and mottled.

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,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’

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

Genesis 31:12 (show verse)

He said, ‘Lift up now your eyes and see that all the male goats which are mating are striped, speckled, and mottled; 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 a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, 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 said to him, “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 reckoned by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and has also entirely consumed 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 wealth which God has taken away from our father belongs to us and our children; now then, do whatever God has said to you.”

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

Genesis 31:17 (show verse)

Then Jacob arose and put his children and his wives upon 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 all his property which he had gathered, his acquired livestock which he had gathered in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac.

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 flock, then Rachel stole the

household idols that were her father’s.

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 by not telling him that he was fleeing.

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

Genesis 31:21 (show verse)

So he fled with all that he had; and he arose and crossed the Euphrates River, and set his face toward the hill country 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)

When it was told Laban on the third day 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)

then he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him a distance of seven days’ journey, and he 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 of the 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)

Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen camped in the hill country 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 have you done by deceiving me and carrying away my daughters like 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 flee secretly and deceive me, and did not tell me so that I might have sent you away with joy and with songs, with timbrel and with 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 did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now you have done foolishly.

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 spoke to me last night, saying, ‘

Be careful not to speak either 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)

Now you have indeed gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house; but why did you steal 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)

Then Jacob replied to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would 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

The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our kinsmen point out what is yours among my belongings and take it for yourself.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen 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 tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he went 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 saddle, and she sat on them. And Laban felt through all the 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)

She said to her father, “Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is upon me.” So he searched 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 contended with Laban; and Jacob said to Laban, “What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me?

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)

Though you have felt through all my goods, what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsmen and your kinsmen, that they may decide between us two.

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 miscarried, 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)

That which was torn of beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it myself. You required it of my hand whether stolen by day or stolen by 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)

Thus I was: by day the heat consumed me and the frost by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.

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 your flock, and 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, and the fear of Isaac, had not been for me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, so He rendered judgment 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)

Then Laban replied to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, and the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne?

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

Genesis 31:44 (show verse)

So now come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be 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)

Then Jacob took a stone and set it up as a 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 kinsmen, “Gather stones.” So they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there by the heap.

Genesis 31:47 (show verse)

Now Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, 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 heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore it was named Galeed,

Genesis 31:49 (show verse)

and

Mizpah, for he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the 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 if you take wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us, see, 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, “Behold this heap and behold the pillar which I have set 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 heap is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass by this heap to you for harm, and you will not pass by this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.

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 and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by 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 on the mountain, and called his kinsmen to the meal; and they ate the meal 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 arose, and kissed his sons and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

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