Genesis 31:19

Quest.

1. What were those teraphim or images? Answ. They were images made in the shape of men, 1 Samuel 19:13,16, which the Gentiles worshipped as subordinate gods, Genesis 31:30,32, to which they committed the protection of their families, 1 Samuel 19:13, which they used to consult about secret or future things, and from which they received answers about them, Ezekiel 21:21 Malachi 10:2. Of these see more Judges 17:5, Judges 18:14,17, &c.; Hosea 3:4. And these idols Laban worshipped together with the true God. Quest.

2. Why did Rachel steal them? Answ. Partly, lest her father by consulting them should discover their flight, and the course which they took; and partly, because she seemed yet to retain a superstitious conceit of them, as may be gathered from Genesis 35:2. Others, because they were pretty and precious things, made of silver and gold, which she took as a part of what was due to her, both as his daughter, and for her husband's service. Others, that she might remove so great an occasion of her father's idolatry, and show him the vanity of such gods as might be stolen away.