Thematic Bible

Themes in Genesis 31

MSTC

Themes in Genesis 31

Genesis 31:1 (show verse)

And Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, how they said, "Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's, and of our father's goods, hath he gotten all this honour."

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, that it was not toward him as it was in times past.

Countenance » Reading of
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:3 (show verse)

And the LORD said unto Jacob, "Turn again into 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)

Then Jacob sent and called Rachel and Lea to the field unto his sheep,

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 unto them, "I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as in times past. Moreover the God of my father hath 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 how that I have served your father with all my might.

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 hath deceived me and changed my wages ten times: But God suffered him not 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)

When he said, 'the spotted shall be thy wages,' then all the sheep bare spotted. If he said, 'the streaked shall be thy reward,' then bare all the sheep streaked.

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:9 (show verse)

Thus hath God taken away your father's cattle and given them me.

Animals » Facts about breeding
Laban » Outwitted by jacob

Genesis 31:10 (show verse)

For in bucking time, I lifted up mine eyes and saw in a dream: and behold, the rams that bucked the sheep were streaked, spotted and party.

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 spake unto me in a dream saying, 'Jacob?' And I answered, 'Here am I.'

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

Genesis 31:12 (show verse)

And he said, 'Lift up thine eyes and see how all the rams that leap upon the sheep are streaked, spotted and party: for I have seen all that Laban doth unto 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 anointedest the stone and where thou vowdest a vow unto me. Now arise and get thee out of this country, and return unto the land where thou wast born.'"

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)

Then answered Rachel and Lea and said unto him, "We have no part nor 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)

he counteth us even as strangers, for he hath sold us, and hath even eaten up the price of 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)

Moreover, all the riches which God hath taken from our father: that is ours and our children's. Now therefore whatsoever God hath said unto thee, that 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 wives up 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 carried away all his cattle and all his substance which he had gotten in Mesopotamia, for to go to Isaac his father, unto 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)

Laban was gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen her father's images.

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 went away unknowing to Laban the Syrian, and told him not that he fled.

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

Genesis 31:21 (show verse)

So fled he, and all that he had, and made himself ready, and passed over the rivers, and set his face straight toward the mount 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)

Upon the third day after, was it told Laban that Jacob was 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 brethren with him and followed after him seven days' journey, and overtook him at the mount 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 Sirian in a dream by night, and said unto him, "Take heed to thyself, that thou speak not to Jacob ought save good."

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 overtook Jacob: and Jacob had pitched his tent in that mount. And Laban with his brethren pitched their tent also upon the mount 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 said Laban to Jacob, "Why hast thou this done, unknowing to me, and hast carried away my daughters as though they had been taken captive with 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)

Wherefore wentest thou away secretly, unknown to me, and didst not tell me, that I might have brought thee on the way with mirth, singing, timbrels 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)

and hast not suffered me to kiss my children and my daughters? Thou wast a fool to do it,

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)

for I am able to do you evil. But the God of your father spake unto me yesterday, saying, 'take heed that thou speak not to Jacob ought save good.'

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 wentest thy way because thou longest after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast 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)

Jacob answered, and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, and thought that thou wouldest have taken away thy daughters from me.

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)

But with whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him die here before our brethren. Seek that thine is by me, and take it to thee." For Jacob wist not 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)

Then went Laban into Jacob's tent, and into Lea's tent, and into two maidens' tents: but found them not. Then went he out of Lea'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)

And Rachel took the images, and put them in the camel's straw, and sat down upon them. And Laban searched all the tent: but found them not.

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)

Then said she to her father, "My lord, be not angry that I cannot rise up before thee, for the disease of women is come upon me." So searched he, but found them not.

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 was wroth, and chode with Laban: Jacob also answered and said to him, "What have I trespassed or what have I offended, that thou followedest 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)

Thou hast searched all my stuff, and what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? Put it here before thy brethren and mine, and let them judge betwixt us both.

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)

This twenty years that I have been with thee, thy sheep and thy goats have not been barren, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

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)

Whatsoever was torn of beasts I brought it not unto thee, but made it good myself: of my hand didst thou require it, whether it was stolen 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)

Moreover, by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep departed from mine 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)

Thus have I been twenty years in thy house, and served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy sheep, and thou hast changed my reward 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

And except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the God whom Isaac feareth, had been with me: surely thou hadst sent me away now all empty. But God beheld my tribulation, and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesterday."

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 and said unto Jacob, "The daughters are my daughters, and the children are my children, and the sheep are my sheep, and all that thou seest is mine. And what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

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

Genesis 31:44 (show verse)

Now therefore, come on, let us make a bond, I and thou together, and let it be a witness between thee 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 took Jacob a stone and set it up on end,

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 said unto his brethren, "Gather stones." And they took stones, and made a heap, and they ate there, upon the heap.

Genesis 31:47 (show verse)

And Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called Gilead.

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)

Then said Laban, "This heap be witness between thee and me this day." Therefore is it called Gilead.

Genesis 31:49 (show verse)

"And this toot-hill which the LORD seeth," said he, "be witness between me and thee when we are departed 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)

that thou shalt not vex my daughters neither shalt take other wives unto them. Here is no man with us: behold, God is witness betwixt thee 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)

And Laban said moreover to Jacob, "Behold, this heap and this mark which I have set here, betwixt 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 be witness and also this mark, that I will not come over this heap to thee, and thou shalt not come over this heap and this mark, to do any 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, the God of Nahor, and the God of their fathers, be judge betwixt us." And Jacob sware by him that his father Isaac feared.

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 did sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and tarried all night in the hill.

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 children and his daughters, and blessed them and departed and went unto his place again.

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