Bible Commentary

And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found [them] not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent. 33. tent ] Four tents are mentioned, one occupied by Jacob, one each by Leah and Rachel, and one by handmaidens. LXX … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:33”

With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what [is] thine with me, and take [it] to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. 32. our brethren ] Cf. Gen 31:23. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Verse 32. Let him not live] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:32”

And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me. 31. I was afraid ] Jacob’s defence is brief: (1) he fled because he could not trust Laban, who, he thought, would keep his daughters by force; (2) as to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:31”

And now, [though] thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, [yet] wherefore hast thou stolen my gods? 30. though thou wouldest needs be gone ] Lit. “thou art actually gone.” my gods ] “My Elohim, or god,” here in the sense of the figures of the household gods, as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:30”

It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spoke unto me last night, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 29. in the power of my hand ] A Hebrew idiom occurring in Deu 28:32, Neh 5:5, Pro … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:29”

And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in [so] doing. 28. sons daughters ] Laban’s grandchildren; cf. Gen 31:43 ; Gen 31:55. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges To kiss my sons and my daughters, as was usual at the parting of friends. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:28”

Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? 27. steal away from me ] Heb. didst steal me; cf. Gen 31:20. sent thee away ] The same word as in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:27”

And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives [taken] with the sword? 26. What hast thou done?] Cf. Gen 4:10. Laban’s reproach in Gen 31:26-30 is expressed in terms of forbearance and injured innocence: why had Jacob fled secretly? … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:26”

Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 25. in the mountain ] Very probably the name has dropped out of the text. We should expect a proper name to balance “the mountain of Gilead” in the second clause. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:25”

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 24. And God came ] Cf. Gen 31:11. For this revelation to Laban the Syrian, compare the revelation to Abimelech, king of Gerar, in Gen 20:3. It … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:24”