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Text -- Genesis 31:32 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
31:32 Whoever has taken your gods will be put to death! In the presence of our relatives identify whatever is yours and take it.” (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.)
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Jacob the second so of a pair of twins born to Isaac and Rebeccaa; ancestor of the 12 tribes of Israel,the nation of Israel,a person, male,son of Isaac; Israel the man and nation
 · Rachel a daughter of Laban; wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin,Jacob's favorite wife


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Teraphim | Rebuke | PAPYRUS | MAGIC, MAGICIANS | Leah | Laban | Jacob | Ingratitude | GODS | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable , Guzik

Other
Bible Query , Critics Ask

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

JFB: Gen 31:31-32 - -- Conscious of his own innocence and little suspecting the misdeed of his favorite wife, Jacob boldly challenged a search and denounced the heaviest pen...

Conscious of his own innocence and little suspecting the misdeed of his favorite wife, Jacob boldly challenged a search and denounced the heaviest penalty on the culprit. A personal scrutiny was made by Laban, who examined every tent [Gen 31:33]; and having entered Rachel's last, he would have infallibly discovered the stolen images had not Rachel made an appeal to him which prevented further search [Gen 31:34-35].

Clarke: Gen 31:32 - -- Let him not live - It appears that anciently theft was punished by death; and we know that the patriarchs had the power of life and death in their h...

Let him not live - It appears that anciently theft was punished by death; and we know that the patriarchs had the power of life and death in their hands. But previously to the law, the punishment of death was scarcely ever inflicted but for murder. The rabbins consider that this was an imprecation used by Jacob, as if he had said, Let God take away the life of the person who has stolen them! And that this was answered shortly after in the death of Rachel, Gen 35:16-19.

Calvin: Gen 31:32 - -- 32.That Rachel had stolen them. Moses relates the manner in which Rachel had concealed her theft; namely, by sitting on the idols, and pretending the...

32.That Rachel had stolen them. Moses relates the manner in which Rachel had concealed her theft; namely, by sitting on the idols, and pretending the custom of women as her excuse. It is a question, whether she did this through shame or pertinacity. It was disgraceful to be caught in the act of theft; she also dreaded the severe sentence of her husband. Yet to me it appears probable that fear did not so much influence her as the obstinate love of idolatry. For we know how greatly superstition infatuates the mind. Therefore, as if she had obtained an incomparable treasure, she thinks that she must attempt anything rather than allow herself to be deprived of it. Moreover, she chooses rather to incur the displeasure of her father and her husband, than to relinquish the object of her superstition. To her stratagem she also adds lying words, so that she deserves manifold censure.

Defender: Gen 31:32 - -- These "gods" were small household images (or teraphim), used both in religious observances and also as tokens of ownership of the real estate where th...

These "gods" were small household images (or teraphim), used both in religious observances and also as tokens of ownership of the real estate where their possessor lived. As such, it was considered a capital crime to steal them. Rachel, however, took this risk presumably because Laban had not given either her or Leah "any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house" (Gen 31:14). Laban did not find them in Jacob's possessions (Rachel had hidden them well), but we do not know whether this loss ever caused any commercial problem for him. In any case, because of their idolatrous associations, Jacob later buried all these pagan mementos at Bethel (Gen 35:4)."

TSK: Gen 31:32 - -- whomsoever : This was rash, and might have produced fatal effects; but Jacob was partial to Rachel, and did not suspect her; and he was indignant at b...

whomsoever : This was rash, and might have produced fatal effects; but Jacob was partial to Rachel, and did not suspect her; and he was indignant at being accused of a crime which he deeply abhorred. Scott. Gen 31:19, Gen 31:30, Gen 44:9-12

before : Gen 31:23, Gen 13:8, Gen 19:7, Gen 30:33; 1Sa 12:3-5; 2Co 8:20, 2Co 8:21, 2Co 12:17-19

For Jacob : 1Sa 14:24-29

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Gen 31:1-55 - -- - Jacob’ s Flight from Haran 19. תרפים te rāpı̂ym , Teraphim. This word occurs fifteen times in the Old Testament. It appears t...

- Jacob’ s Flight from Haran

19. תרפים te 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 always in the plural number. The root does not appear in Biblical Hebrew. It perhaps means "to live well,"intransitively (Gesenius, Roedig.), "to nourish,"transitively (Furst). The teraphim were symbols or representatives of the Deity, as Laban calls them his gods. They seem to have been busts ( προτομαί protomai , Aquila) of the human form, sometimes as large as life 1Sa 19:13. Those of full size were probably of wood; the smaller ones may have been of metal. In two passages Jdg 17:1-13; 18; Hos 3:4 they are six times associated with the ephod. This intimates either that they were worn on the ephod, like the Urim and Thummim, or more probably that the ephod was worn on them; in accordance with which they were employed for the purposes of divination Gen 30:27; Zec 10:2. The employment of them in the worship of God, which Laban seems to have inherited from his fathers Jos 24:2, is denounced as idolatry 1Sa 15:23; and hence, they are classed with the idols and other abominations put away by Josiah 2Ki 23:24.

47. שׂהדוּתא יגר ye gar - śâhădûtā' , Jegar-sahadutha, "cairn of witness"in the Aramaic dialect of the old Hebrew or Shemite speech. גלעד gal‛ēd , Gal‘ ed; and גלעד gı̂l‛ād , Gil‘ ad, "cairn of witness"in Hebrew especially so called (see Gen 11:1-9).

49. מצפה mı̂tspâh , Mizpah, "watch-tower."

Jacob had now been twenty years in Laban’ s service, and was therefore, ninety-six years of age. It has now become manifest that he cannot obtain leave of Laban to return home. He must, therefore, either come off by the high hand, or by secret flight. Jacob has many reasons for preferring the latter course.

Gen 31:1-13

Circumstances at length induce Jacob to propose flight to his wives. His prosperity provokes the envy and slander of Laban’ s sons, and Laban himself becomes estranged. The Lord now commands Jacob to return, and promises him his presence to protect him. Jacob now opens his mind fully to Rachel and Leah. Rachel, we observe, is put first. Several new facts come out in his discourse to them. Ye know - Jacob appeals to his wives on this point - "that with all my might I served your father."He means, of course, to the extent of his engagement. During the last six years he was to provide for his own house, as the Lord permitted him, with the full knowledge and concurrence of Laban. Beyond this, which is a fair and acknowledged exception, he has been faithful in keeping the cattle of Laban. "Your father deceived me, and changed my wages ten times;"that is, as often as he could.

If, at the end of the first year, he found that Jacob had gained considerably, though he began with nothing, he might change his wages every following half-year, and so actually change them ten times in five years. In this case, the preceding chapter only records his original expedients, and then states the final result. "God suffered him not to hurt me."Jacob, we are to remember, left his hire to the providence of God. He thought himself bound at the same time to use all legitimate means for the attainment of the desired end. His expedients may have been perfectly legitimate in the circumstances, but they were evidently of no avail without the divine blessing. And they would become wholly ineffectual when his wages were changed. Hence, he says, God took the cattle and gave them to me. Jacob seems here to record two dreams, the former of which is dated at the rutting season. The dream indicates the result by a symbolic representation, which ascribes it rather to the God of nature than to the man of art. The second dream makes allusion to the former as a process still going on up to the present time. This appears to be an encouragement to Jacob now to commit himself to the Lord on his way home. The angel of the Lord, we observe, announces himself as the God of Bethel, and recalls to Jacob the pillar and the vow. The angel, then, is Yahweh manifesting himself to human apprehension.

Gen 31:14-19

His wives entirely accord with his view of their father’ s selfishness in dealing with his son-in-law, and approve of his intended departure. Jacob makes all the needful preparations for a hasty and secret flight. He avails himself of the occasion when Laban is at a distance probably of three or more days’ journey, shearing his sheep. "Rachel stole the teraphim."It is not the business of Scripture to acquaint us with the kinds and characteristics of false worship. Hence, we know little of the teraphim, except that they were employed by those who professed to worship the true God. Rachel had a lingering attachment to these objects of her family’ s superstitious reverence, and secretly carried them away as relics of a home she was to visit no more, and as sources of safety to herself against the perils of her flight.

Gen 31:20-24

Laban hears of his flight, pursues, and overtakes him. "Stole the heart," κλέπτειν νοῦν kleptein noun . The heart is the seat of the understanding in Scripture. To steal the heart of anyone is to act without his knowledge. The river. The Frat, near which, we may conclude, Jacob was tending his flocks. Haran was about seventy miles from the river, and therefore, Laban’ s flocks were on the other side of Haran. "Toward mount Gilead;"about three hundred miles from the Frat. "On the third day."This shows that Laban’ s flocks kept by his sons were still three days’ journey apart from Jacob’ s. His brethren - his kindred and dependents. "Seven days’ journey."On the third day after the arrival of the messenger, Laban might return to the spot whence Jacob had taken his flight. In this case, Jacob would have at least five days of a start; which, added to the seven days of pursuit, would give him twelve days to travel three hundred English miles. To those accustomed to the pastoral life this was a possible achievement. God appears to Laban on behalf of Jacob, and warns him not to harm him. "Not to speak from good to bad"is merely to abstain from language expressing and prefacing violence.

Gen 31:25-32

Laban’ s expostulation and Jacob’ s reply. What hast thou done? Laban intimates that he would have dismissed him honorably and affectionately, and therefore, that his flight was needless and unkind; and finally charges him with stealing his gods. Jacob gives him to understand that he did not expect fair treatment at his hands, and gives him leave to search for his gods, not knowing that Rachel had taken them.

Gen 31:33-42

After the search for the teraphim has proved vain, Jacob warmly upbraids Laban. "The camel’ s saddle."This was a pack-saddle, in the recesses of which articles might be deposited, and on which was a seat or couch for the rider. Rachel pleads the custom of women as an excuse for keeping her seat; which is admitted by Laban, not perhaps from the fear of ceremonial defilement Lev 15:19-27, as this law was not yet in force, but from respect to his daughter and the conviction that in such circumstances she would not sit upon the teraphim. "My brethren and thy brethren"- their common kindred. Jacob recapitulates his services in feeling terms. "By day the drought;"caused by the heat, which is extreme during the day, while the cold is not less severe in Palestine during the night. "The fear of Isaac"- the God whom Isaac fears. Judged - requited by restraining thee from wrong-doing.

Gen 31:43-47

Laban, now pacified, if not conscience-stricken, proposes a covenant between them. Jacob erects a memorial pillar, around which the clan gather a cairn of stones, which serves by its name for a witness of their compact. "Jegar-sahadutha."Here is the first decided specimen of Aramaic, as contradistinguished from Hebrew. Its incidental appearance indicates a fully formed dialect known to Jacob, and distinct from his own. Gilead or Galeed remains to this day in Jebel Jel’ ad, though the original spot was further north.

Gen 31:48-54

The covenant is then completed. And Mizpah. This refers to some prominent cliff from which, as a watch-tower, an extensive view might be obtained. It was in the northern half of Gilead Deu 3:12-13, and is noticed in Jdg 11:29. It is not to be confounded with other places called by the same name. The reference of this name to the present occurrence is explained in these two verses. The names Gilead and Mizpah may have arisen from this transaction, or received a new turn in consequence of its occurrence. The terms of the covenant are now formally stated. I have cast. The erection of the pillar was a joint act of the two parties; in which Laban proposes, Jacob performs, and all take part. "The God of Abraham, Nahor, and Terah."This is an interesting acknowledgment that their common ancestor Terah and his descendants down to Laban still acknowledged the true God even in their idolatry. Jacob swears by the fear of isaac, perhaps to rid himself of any error that had crept into Laban’ s notions of God and his worship. The common sacrifice and the common meal ratify the covenant of reconciliation.

Poole: Gen 31:32 - -- Let him not live I give my consent that he shall die by the hands of justice. A rash and inconsiderate sentence.

Let him not live I give my consent that he shall die by the hands of justice. A rash and inconsiderate sentence.

Haydock: Gen 31:32 - -- Slain. Homer says, "the father judges his children and wives;" and thus Jacob pronounces sentence. The Rabbins pretend it and its effect soon after...

Slain. Homer says, "the father judges his children and wives;" and thus Jacob pronounces sentence. The Rabbins pretend it and its effect soon after in the death of Rachel, chap. xxxv. 18. (Calmet)

Gill: Gen 31:32 - -- With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live,.... This is the answer to his last question, as what goes before is to his first: Jacob knew ...

With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live,.... This is the answer to his last question, as what goes before is to his first: Jacob knew nothing of their being taken away by any, and thought himself safe in saying what he did, being confident that no one with him could ever take them; but it was too rashly spoken by him, giving leave to Laban to put to death the person with whom they should be found, or imprecating death on him by the hand of God; "may he not live", but die, die immediately or before his time, as the Targum of Jonathan: hence the Jewish writers m observe, that Rachel died in giving birth in consequence of this imprecation, but without any foundation:

before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee: not only his gods, but any of his goods or cattle, whatsoever he could find in his tents, or in his flocks, that were his property, he was welcome to take; and this he declared before the men that Laban brought with him, whom he also calls his brethren, being his kinsfolks and neighbours; and these he appeals to as witnesses of his honesty, integrity, and fair dealing; being conscious to himself that he had took nothing but what was his own:

for Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them; the images or gods; or he would have been more careful of his expression, in love and tenderness to his most beloved wife.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Gen 31:32 The disjunctive clause (introduced here by a vav [ו] conjunction) provides supplemental material that is important to the story. Since this mate...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Gen 31:1-55 - --1 Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly.19 Rachel steals her father's images.22 Laban pursues after him, and complai...

MHCC: Gen 31:22-35 - --God can put a bridle in the mouth of wicked men, to restrain their malice, though he do not change their hearts. Though they have no love to God's peo...

Matthew Henry: Gen 31:25-35 - -- We have here the reasoning, not to say the rallying, that took place between Laban and Jacob at their meeting, in that mountain which was afterwards...

Keil-Delitzsch: Gen 31:31-32 - -- The first, Jacob met by pleading his fear lest Laban should take away his daughters (keep them back by force). " For I said: "equivalent to "for I t...

Constable: Gen 11:27--Exo 1:1 - --II. PATRIARCHAL NARRATIVES 11:27--50:26 One of the significant changes in the emphasis that occurs at this point...

Constable: Gen 25:19--36:1 - --C. What became of Isaac 25:19-35:29 A new toledot begins with 25:19. Its theme is "the acquisition of th...

Constable: Gen 31:1-55 - --10. Jacob's flight from Haran ch. 31 Laban's hostility and his wives' encouragement motivated Ja...

Constable: Gen 31:22-55 - --Laban's confrontation with Jacob 31:22-55 God had promised to be with Jacob and to return him to Canaan (28:15). We see God doing this, in spite of La...

Guzik: Gen 31:1-55 - --Genesis 31 - Jacob Flees From Laban to Canaan A. Jacob's disputes with Laban and his sons. 1. (1-2) Contention with Laban's sons causes Laban to loo...

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Commentary -- Other

Bible Query: Gen 31:32 Q: In Gen 31:32,34, how could the Bible [allegedly] approve Rachel stealing idols from her father? A: The household gods not only had religious conno...

Critics Ask: Gen 31:32 GENESIS 31:32 —How could God bless Rachel when she stole Laban’s idols and then lied to him about it? PROBLEM: Genesis 31:32 makes the statem...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Genesis (Book Introduction) GENESIS, the book of the origin or production of all things, consists of two parts: the first, comprehended in the first through eleventh chapters, gi...

JFB: Genesis (Outline) THE CREATION OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. (Gen 1:1-2) THE FIRST DAY. (Gen 1:3-5) SECOND DAY. (Gen 1:6-8) THIRD DAY. (Gen 1:9-13) FOURTH DAY. (Gen 1:14-19) FI...

TSK: Genesis (Book Introduction) The Book of Genesis is the most ancient record in the world; including the History of two grand and stupendous subjects, Creation and Providence; of e...

TSK: Genesis 31 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Gen 31:1, Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly; Gen 31:19, Rachel steals her father’s images; Gen 31...

Poole: Genesis 31 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 31 Jacob observing Laban’ s envy, on God’ s command and promise, with the consent of his wives, departs secretly, Gen 31:1-21 . L...

MHCC: Genesis (Book Introduction) Genesis is a name taken from the Greek, and signifies " the book of generation or production;" it is properly so called, as containing an account of ...

MHCC: Genesis 31 (Chapter Introduction) (v. 1-21) Jacob departs secretly. (Gen 31:23-35) Laban pursues Jacob. (Gen 31:36-42) Jacob's complaint of Laban's conduct. (Gen 31:43-55) Their cov...

Matthew Henry: Genesis (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Book of Moses, Called Genesis We have now before us the holy Bible, or book, for so bible ...

Matthew Henry: Genesis 31 (Chapter Introduction) Jacob was a very honest good man, a man of great devotion and integrity, yet he had more trouble and vexation than any of the patriarchs. He left h...

Constable: Genesis (Book Introduction) Introduction Title Each book of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testam...

Constable: Genesis (Outline) Outline The structure of Genesis is very clear. The phrase "the generations of" (toledot in Hebrew, from yalad m...

Constable: Genesis Bibliography Aalders, Gerhard Charles. Genesis. The Bible Student's Commentary series. 2 vols. Translated by William Hey...

Haydock: Genesis (Book Introduction) THE BOOK OF GENESIS. INTRODUCTION. The Hebrews now entitle all the Five Books of Moses, from the initial words, which originally were written li...

Gill: Genesis (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS This book, in the Hebrew copies of the Bible, and by the Jewish writers, is generally called Bereshith, which signifies "in...

Gill: Genesis 31 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 31 This chapter relates how that Jacob observing that Laban and his sons envied his prosperity, and having a call from God ...

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