Genesis 31:34-35

31:34 (Now Rachel had taken the idols and put them inside her camel’s saddle ¹  and sat on them.) ²  Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them. ³  31:35 Rachel ⁴  said to her father, “Don’t be angry, ⁵  my lord. I cannot stand up ⁶  in your presence because I am having my period.” ⁷  So he searched thoroughly, ⁸  but did not find the idols.

[31:34]  ¹ tn The “camel’s saddle” was probably some sort of basket-saddle, a cushioned saddle with a basket bound on. Cf. NAB “inside a camel cushion.”

[31:34]  ² tn The disjunctive clause (introduced by a vav [ו] conjunction) provides another parenthetical statement necessary to the storyline.

[31:34]  ³ tn The word “them” has been supplied in the translation for clarification.

[31:35]  ⁴ tn Heb “she”; the referent (Rachel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[31:35]  ⁵ tn Heb “let it not be hot in the eyes of my lord.” This idiom refers to anger, in this case as a result of Rachel’s failure to stand in the presence of her father as a sign of respect.

[31:35]  ⁶ tn Heb “I am unable to rise.”

[31:35]  ⁷ tn Heb “the way of women is to me.” This idiom refers to a woman’s menstrual period.

[31:35]  ⁸ tn The word “thoroughly” is not in the Hebrew text, but is implied.