Genesis 31
NIV
Commentaries

Show in the text

Up to 5 commentaries at a time. Each excerpt opens in full.

New International Version

Genesis 31:19-30

19When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods.

20Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away.

21So he fled with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.

22On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled.

23Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

24Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

25Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too.

26Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in war.

27Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps?

28You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing.

29I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’

30Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household. But why did you steal my gods?”

Read all of Genesis 31

Commentaries on Genesis 31

New International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica