Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsGenesis 31

Idols.

^[1] Images of false gods (as there were) are most properly called idols. And so the Hebrew word Teraphim is here rightly translated idols: which in other places signifieth other things. As the statua which Michol put in David's bed ^[2], covering the head thereof with a hairy goat's skin, to deceive Saul's servants who sought David's death, is called Teraphim, and may there be translated a statua, image, or similitude, but not an idol ^[3]. Again, Osee the Prophet foretelling the lamentable state of the Israelites ^[4], saith, they shall be long without King, Prince, Sacrifice, Altar, Ephod, and Teraphim ^[5], which last word in the Protestants' English Bibles remaineth untranslated. Where if they had translated Images (as here they do) it would prove, that some images pertain to true religion, the want thereof is lamented among other principal things.

• 1 Images of false gods are idols.
• 2 1. Reg. 19.
• 3 Some images are neither religious nor superstitious.
• 4 Osee. 3.
• 5 Some are religious.

^[1]

These idols Rachel stole from her father, to withdraw him from idolatry, as S. Basil (in li. proverb.) S. Gregory Nazianzen (orat. de Paschate) and Theodoret (q. 89. in Gen.) expound it. And in this, saith Theodoret, she was a right figure of the Catholic Church, which depriveth idolaters of their idols. It is probable also by her base using of them, that she held them not for gods, when she put them under the camel's litter, and sat upon them. Finally, that she reserved them, and did not cast them away, nor burn, nor bury them, argueth that they were perhaps of precious metal, or other matter, which she might turn to profit: ^[2] and that lawfully in part of recompence, that she and her sister had no other dowry, but rather were sold to Jacob. Who also had suffered much injury at their father's hands.

• 1 Rachel took away her father's Idols for his good.
• 2 She kept them in recompence of wrongs.