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Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Genesis 31:20

stole away, &c. Heb. stole the heart of Laban the Aramean. Cf. Genesis 31:26. Jacob outwitted Laban; fled secretly, and got three days" start. For the phrase, cf. the Greek κλέπτειν νοῦν, "to steal the mind," i.e. to deceive; see 2 Samuel 15:6.

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See also Genesis 31:20 in other biblical comments:

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    - Jacob’s Flight from Haran 19. תרפים _t__e__rāpı̂ym_, Teraphim. This word occurs fifteen times in the Old Testament. It appears three times in this chapter, and nowhere else in the Pentateuch. It is...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 31 JACOB'S SERVITUDE ENDED AND FLIGHT FROM LABAN _ 1. Laban's behavior and God's commandment (Genesis 31:1)_ 2. The dream vision to return to the land (Genesis 31:11) 3. Jacob's flight (Gen...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    JACOB'S FLIGHT. This section is, for the most part, from E, Genesis 31:1; Genesis 31:3 are from J, Genesis 31:18 (after cattle) from P. Jacob realises from the words of Laban's sons (J) and the altere...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    UNAWARES TO LABAN. Hebrew stole the heart. Figure of speech _Synecdoche_ (of the Part), App-6, heart being put for knowledge. Compare Genesis 31:27. Rachel stole Laban's idols; and Jacob stole Laban's...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    STOLE AWAY UNAWARES— Heb. _stole the heart of Laban._ In Scripture-language the _heart_ frequently signifies the _knowledge,_ the _understanding._ Ecclesiastes 7:25 compared with Proverbs 7:7. The mea...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PART FORTY-TWO THE STORY OF JACOB: HIS RETURN TO CANAAN (Genesis 31:17 to Genesis 33:20) 1. _The Covenant in Gilead: The Biblical Account_ (Genesis 31:17-55)_._ 17 Then Jacob rose up, an

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _AND JACOB STOLE AWAY UNAWARES TO LABAN THE SYRIAN, IN THAT HE TOLD HIM NOT THAT HE FLED._ Jacob stole away unawares - literally, deceived the mind of Laban....

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    31:20 deceived (b-3) Lit. 'stole the heart of.' so ver. 26....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    JACOB'S RETURN FROM HARAN 4-13. Jacob attributes his prosperity to God's favour. 14-16. Rachel and Leah point out that their father had no claim on them, since Jacob had won them by his services, an...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE GENESIS _ALUN OWEN_ CHAPTER 31 GOD TELLS JACOB TO RETURN V1 Laban’s sons said, ‘Jacob has taken all that belonged to our father. He has gained all his wealth from our father...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS. Abraham begat Isaac — The _Tôldôth_ in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his des...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    JACOB STOLE AWAY UNAWARES. — _Heb., stole the heart._ But the heart was regarded by the Hebrews as the seat of the intellect, and so _to steal a man’s understanding,_ like the similar phrase in Greek,...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ יִּגְנֹ֣ב יַעֲקֹ֔ב אֶת ־לֵ֥ב לָבָ֖ן הָ

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    JACOB LEAVES LABAN Genesis 31:1 Jacob was a remarkable mixture. He had an eminently religious nature, and had intimate dealings with God. Note Genesis 31:3; Genesis 31:5;...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    In the midst of Jacob's success the second divine communication came to him, commanding him to return to the land of his fathers and giving him the promise, "I will be with thee." Thus, after at least...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    JACOB DECIDES TO LEAVE LABAN Laban and his sons eventually began to see Jacob as a drain on their flocks. Laban ceased to believe God was blessing him because of Jacob (Genesis 30:27). So, God told hi...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Away. Hebrew, "Jacob stole the heart of Laban," concealing his flight from him. (Menochius)_...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Observe: the parting of graceless acquaintances is of this kind, in songs and merriment. But gracious souls, when the Lord in his providence calls upon them to separate, take leave of one another in p...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Having already shown the position of Isaac, I resume briefly with the remark that he stands before us clearly as the representative of the Son, and this too as dead, risen, and in heaven. All will und...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    20._And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban _(94) By the Hebrew form of expression, “stole away the heart of Laban,” Moses shows that Jacob departed privately, or by stealth, unknown to his father-in-l...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 29 THROUGH 35. I have no doubt that in the two wives, as I have said, we have the Gentiles and Israel: Rachel first loved on the earth, but not possessed; but...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND JACOB STOLE AWAY UNAWARES TO LABAN THE SYRIAN,.... Went away without his knowledge, or giving him any notice of it; he was too cunning for Laban the Syrian; notwithstanding his astrology and super...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. Ver. 20. _And Jacob stole away._] God's saints are put upon the use of such means sometimes, for their own saf...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Iacob vpon displeasure departeth secretly. 19 Rachel stealeth her fathers images. 22 Laban pursueth after him, 26 and complaineth of the wrong. 34 Rachels policie to hide the images. 36 Iacobs...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban, the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. Jacob took the opportunity to remove himself and his goods without the knowledge of Laban, 2 Samuel 15:6, neit...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Jacob Flees and is Pursued by Laban...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    FOURTH SECTION _Jacob’s flight. Laban’s persecution. The covenant between the two on the mountain of Gilead. Departure._ GENESIS 31:4 TO GENESIS 32:2 , 4And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    JACOB'S SECRET DEPARTURE The prosperity of Jacob could not but awaken the envy of Laban's sons. Jacob had gained all of this through his caring for their father's sheep: now the majority of the sheep...

  • Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611)

    UNAWARES TO LABAN: _ Heb._ the heart of Laban...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-21 The affairs of these families are related very minutely, while (what are called) the great events of states and kingdoms at that period, are not mentioned. The Bible teaches people the common du...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    Heb. _Stole away the heart of_ Laban, to wit, his daughters, his cattle, and his gods, upon which his heart was vehemently set, as Micah's was, JUDGES 18:24. But if this had been meant, it had been im...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    These Chapter s present to us the history of Jacob at least, the principal scenes in that history. The Spirit of God here sets before us the deepest instruction, first, as to God's purpose of infinite...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Genesis 31:20 Jacob H3290 away H1589 (H8799) unknown H3820 Laban H3837 Syrian H761 that H5921 not H1097 tell...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    JACOB IS COMMANDED BY YAHWEH TO RETURN HOME AND TRIES TO SLIP AWAY (31:1-21). Genesis 31:1 ‘And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and he h...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jacob's resolution to return. Laban's hot pursuit; their quarrel and final agreement. CHARACTERS: Laban, Jacob, Rachael, Leah. CONCLUSION: The safety of believers under trying circumstance...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Genesis 31:1. _He heard the words of Laban's sons._ Three causes are assigned for Jacob's abrupt removal: first, the bitter reproaches of Laban's sons: secondly, the consequent change in the countenan...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Then Jacob rose up._ LESSONS 1. Concurrence of all things with the call of God points out the time of man’s obedience to him. 2. He that hath God’s call for himself and others to any undertaking s...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:20 JACOB TRICKED LABAN. Although Jacob takes only what rightly belongs to him, Laban later accuses him of having stolen everything that is now in Jacob’s possession (v....

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:19 Fearful that Laban will prevent him from leaving Paddan-aram, Jacob escapes when his father-in-law is away shearing sheep. When Laban discovers what has happened, he purs...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 31:7. Changed my wages ten times.] Probably to be understood as a round number, meaning any number of times—as often as he could. The expression “ten times” is used for frequ...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GENESIS 31:1 AND HE—Jacob had now served twenty years with Laban, and must accordingly have been in his ninety-seventh or seventy-seventh year (_vide_ Genesis 27:1)—HEARD THE WORDS OF LABA...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and all that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory (Genesis 31:1). In other words, they...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    unawares to Laban. Heb. the heart of Laban. See references Genesis 31:20...

  • When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, 1960

    How could God bless Rachel when she stole Laban’s idols and then lied to him about it? PROBLEM: Genesis 31:32 makes the statement that Jacob did not know that “Rachel had stolen” Laban’s idols. Howev...

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