Text -- Genesis 31:1-3 (NET)

Jacob’s Flight from Laban

31:1 Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were complaining, “Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father! He has gotten rich at our father’s expense!” 31:2 When Jacob saw the look on Laban’s face, he could tell his attitude toward him had changed. 31:3 The Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives. I will be with you.”

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Gen 31:1

¹ tn Heb “and he heard the words of the sons of Laban, saying.”

² sn The Hebrew word translated “gotten rich” (כָּבוֹד, cavod) has the basic idea of “weight.” If one is heavy with possessions, then that one is wealthy (13:2). Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph all became wealthy when they left the promised land. Jacob’s wealth foreshadows what will happen to Israel when they leave the land of Egypt (Exod 12:35-38).

³ tn Heb “and from that which belonged to our father he has gained all this wealth.”

NET Notes: Gen 31:2

¹ tn Heb “and Jacob saw the face of Laban, and look, he was not with him as formerly.” Jacob knew from the expression on Laban’s face that his attitude toward him had changed – Jacob had become persona non grata.

NET Notes: Gen 31:3

¹ tn Or perhaps “ancestors” (so NRSV), although the only “ancestors” Jacob had there were his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac.

² sn I will be with you. Though Laban was no longer “with him,” the Lord promised to be.