New English Translation
Genesis 31:1
1Jacob 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!”
Genesis 31:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.
- New International Version (NIV)Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, "Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.”
Context of Genesis 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!” 2When Jacob saw the look on Laban’s face, he could tell his attitude toward him had changed. 3The Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives. I will be with you.”
Read all of Genesis 31Genesis 31:1 word by word
וַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֤י בְנֵֽי־לָבָן֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לָקַ֣ח יַעֲקֹ֔ב אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאָבִ֑ינוּ וּמֵאֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאָבִ֔ינוּ עָשָׂ֕ה אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַכָּבֹ֖ד הַזֶּֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he heardשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
- the wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
- of Laban’sלָבָןlâbân · LabanH3837
- sonsבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- Jacobיַעֲקֹבya‛ăqôb · JacobH3290
- hath taken awayלָקַחlâqach · to take: takeH3947
- our father’sאָב'âb · fatherH1
- hath he gottenעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: offerH6213
- all this gloryכָּבוֹדkâbôd kâbôd · gloryH3519
Cross-references for Genesis 31:1
- Genesis 31:8If he said, ‘The speckled animals will be your wage,’ then the entire flock gave birth to speckled offspring. But if he said, ‘The streaked animals will be your wage,’ then the entire flock gave birth to streaked offspring.
- Job 31:31if the members of my household have never said, ‘If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job’s meat!’ –
- Psalms 57:4I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among those who want to devour me; men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are a sharp sword.
- Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like a sword; they aim their arrow, a slanderous charge,
- Psalms 120:3How will he severely punish you, you deceptive talker?
- Proverbs 14:30A tranquil spirit revives the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.
- Proverbs 27:4Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
- Ecclesiastes 4:4Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless – like chasing the wind.
- Ezekiel 16:44“‘Observe – everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb about you: “Like mother, like daughter.”
- Genesis 45:13So tell my father about all my honor in Egypt and about everything you have seen. But bring my father down here quickly!”
- Esther 5:11Haman then recounted to them his fabulous wealth, his many sons, and how the king had magnified him and exalted him over the king’s other officials and servants.
- Job 31:24“If I have put my confidence in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security!’
- Psalms 17:14Lord, use your power to deliver me from these murderers, from the murderers of this world! They enjoy prosperity; you overwhelm them with the riches they desire. They have many children, and leave their wealth to their offspring.
- Psalms 49:16Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich and his wealth multiplies!
- Isaiah 5:14So Death will open up its throat, and open wide its mouth; Zion’s dignitaries and masses will descend into it, including those who revel and celebrate within her.
- Jeremiah 9:23The Lord says, “Wise people should not boast that they are wise. Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful. Rich people should not boast that they are rich.
Commentaries on Genesis 31:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1And he heard the words of Laban's sons - The multiplication of Jacob's cattle, and the decrease and degeneracy of those of Laban, were sufficient to arouse the jealousy of Laban's sons. This, with Laban's unfair treatment, and the direction he received from God, determined him to return to his own country. Hath he gotten all this glory - All these riches, this wealth, or property. The original word כבד signifies both to be rich and to be heavy; and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-55Verses 1-55 - Jacob‘s Flight from Haran 19. תרפים terāpı̂ym 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Jacob departs secretly. (1-21) Laban pursues Jacob. (23-35) Jacob's complaint of Laban's conduct. (36-42) Their covenant at Galeed. (43-55) Verses 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 duties of life, how to serve God, how to enjoy the blessings he bestows, and to do good in the various stations and…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2Laban’s sons became more hostile toward Jacob because his flocks were growing faster than theirs. They were jealous because God was blessing Jacob. They were also afraid that he might take over everything they had.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-211. he heard the words of Laban's sons--It must have been from rumor that Jacob got knowledge of the invidious reflections cast upon him by his cousins; for they were separated at the distance of three days' journey.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 31:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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