Thematic Bible

Themes in Genesis 31

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Themes in Genesis 31

Genesis 31:1 (show verse)

And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and he has gotten all this glory of that which was our father's.

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)

And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as beforetime.

Countenance » Reading of
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:3 (show verse)

And LORD said to Jacob, Return to the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred, and I will be with thee.

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)

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

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 countenance, that it is not toward me as beforetime, 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)

And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

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)

And your father has deceived me, 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

Genesis 31:8 (show verse)

If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages, then all the flock bore speckled, and if he said thus, The ringstreaked shall be thy wages, then all the flock bore ringstreaked.

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:9 (show verse)

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

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:10 (show verse)

And it came to pass at the time that the flock conceive, that I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the he-goats which leaped upon the flock were ringstreaked, speckled, and grizzled.

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

Genesis 31:11 (show verse)

And the agent 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)

And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the he-goats which leap upon the flock are ringstreaked, speckled, and grizzled, for I have seen all that Laban does to thee.

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

Genesis 31:13 (show verse)

I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointed a pillar, where thou vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get thee out from this land, and return to the land of thy nativity.

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)

And Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, Is there yet 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 accounted by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and has also quite devoured our money.

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 which God has taken away from our father, that is ours and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to thee, 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 rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon the 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 carried away all his cattle, and all his substance which he had gathered, the cattle of his getting, which he had gathered in Paddan-aram, to go to Isaac his father to 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)

Now Laban was gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole the teraphim 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 slipped away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he fled.

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 rose up, and passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain 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)

And 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)

And he took his brothers with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey, and he overtook him in the mountain 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)

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said to him, Take heed to thyself that thou 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)

And Laban came up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountain. And Laban encamped with his brothers in the mountain 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)

And Laban said to Jacob, What have thou done, that thou have slipped away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters as 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 thou flee secretly, and creep away from me, and did not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth and with songs, with tambourine and with harp,

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 thou 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 the power of my hand to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, Take heed to thyself that thou not 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)

And now, [though] thou have certainly gone, because thou have been very desirous for thy father's house, [yet] why have thou stolen 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)

And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid, for I said, Lest thou should take thy 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)

With whomever thou find thy gods, he shall not live. Before our brothers discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. 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)

And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two maid-servants, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah's tent, and entered into 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 teraphim, and put them in the camel's saddle, and sat upon them. And Laban felt around 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)

And she said to her father, Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise up before thee, for the manner of women is upon me. And he searched, but did not find the teraphim.

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)

And Jacob was angry, and chided with Laban. And Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? What is my sin that thou have hotly pursued after 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)

Whereas thou have felt around all my stuff, what have thou found of all thy household stuff? Set it here before my brothers and thy brothers, that they may judge 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 thee, thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and I have not eaten the rams of thy 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 to thee that which was torn by beasts; I bore the loss of it, of my hand thou required it, 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; in the day the drought 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 thy house. I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy flock. And thou 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

Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now thou would have sent me away empty. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked thee 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)

And Laban answered and said to Jacob, The daughters are my daughters, and the sons are my sons, and the flocks are my flocks, and all that thou see is mine. And what can I do this day to these my daughters, or to their sons whom th

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

Genesis 31:44 (show verse)

And now come, let us make a covenant, I and thou, and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

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)

And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for 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)

And Jacob said to his brothers, Gather stones, and they took stones, and made a heap. And they ate there by the heap.

Genesis 31:47 (show verse)

And Laban called it Jegar-saha-dutha, 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)

And Laban said, This heap is witness between me and thee this day. Therefore the name of it was called Galeed,

Genesis 31:49 (show verse)

and Mizpah. For he said, May LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from 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 thou will afflict my daughters, and if thou will take wives besides my daughters, no man is with us, see, God is witness between me and thee.

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)

And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold the pillar, which I have set between me and thee.

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 witness, and the pillar is witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shall not pass over 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. And 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)

And Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brothers to eat bread. And they ate bread, and tarried all 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)

And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them. And 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