GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:4 BUT THE GOD OF MY FATHER HAS BEEN WITH ME (v. Genesis 31:5). While Laban has taken advantage of Jacob, God has consistently worked against Laban’s schemes. GOD OF BETHEL (v. Genesis 31:13). At Bethel, God had promised to be with Jacob (Genesis 28:15). Some 20 years later... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:14 In their response, RACHEL and LEAH also contrast their father’s actions with God’s (see note on vv. 4–13). While Laban has tried to take what is theirs (vv. Genesis 31:14), God has provided for them and their children (v. Genesis 31:16). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
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 pursues Jacob, catching up with him in Gilead. They eventually make a treaty that guarantees protection... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Genesis 31:43). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.lengt... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:21 HILL COUNTRY OF GILEAD. The region lies east of the Jordan River, several hundred miles south of Paddan-aram. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:22 Laban catches up with Jacob about 10 days after his initial departure. Jacob, with his family and livestock, has reached Gilead. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:26 THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER. Although Laban acknowledges that God has spoken to him (see v. Genesis 31:24), he refuses to acknowledge God as his own; he is the God of Isaac. To underline this point, Laban asks Jacob, WHY DID YOU STEAL MY GODS? ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.ge... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:35 Rachel tries to prevent Laban from finding his household gods by telling him that THE WAY OF WOMEN IS UPON her (that is, she is menstruating). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:42 THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND THE FEAR OF ISAAC. The term “Fear” is clearly a substitute for “God.” Possibly, since Isaac treated God with reverential fear, God could be called the “One Feared” or the “Fear” of Isaac. Another possibility is the idea that Isaac’s God caused fea... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:43 In spite of Jacob’s observations, Laban claims ownership of everything that Jacob has taken. Then, possibly to save face, Laban invites Jacob to make a COVENANT or treaty with him on the pretext of protecting his daughters and grandchildren (see v. Genesis 31:50). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:45 The creation of two “witnesses” may have been intended to emphasize the seriousness of the oath. More likely, the two witnesses reflect in some way the deities Jacob and Laban worship. Jacob’s single stone (monotheism) contrasts with the heap of stones set up by Laban a... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 31:47 MIZPAH, meaning “watchtower,” became the name of a settlement north of the Jabbok River. It was the hometown of Jephthah (Judges 11:11). Mizpah was also the name of an important city on the boundary between Israel and Judah, 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Jerusalem (Judge... [ Continue Reading ]