genesis-31:1,-genesis-31:2-niv

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 31:1-3

"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. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not toward him as beforetime. And Jehovah said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee."The three-fold reason for Jacob's forthcoming departure is here outlined:Jacob had heard the ominous and hostile words of Laban's... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 31:1

Genesis 31:1. And he heard, &c.— i.e.. Jacob heard: another proof of the bad divisions of the chapters. Three things concurred to determine him in his departure from Laban: the first, the envy and jealousy of Laban's sons; the second, the chagrin and ill behaviour of Laban, Genesis 31:2.; and the third, the direction of God himself, Genesis 31:3. By all this glory all these riches are meant; for the Scripture often calls riches by the name of glory, as they are the great means of procuring... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 31:1

1. 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 more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 31:1-16

The increasing antagonism of Laban’s household encouraged Jacob to obey God’s command to return to the Promised Land (Genesis 31:1-2)."The true character of Laban is clearly seen from the fact that his daughters entirely sided with Jacob against their own father . . . . They too had experienced their father’s selfishness and greed, and were ready to approve of their husband’s project and to go with him." [Note: Thomas, p. 285.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 31:1-21

Jacob’s departure for Canaan 31:1-21God had been faithful in blessing Jacob, as He had promised Abraham and Isaac. Moses recorded the testimony to that fact in this section. Jacob acknowledged that God was responsible for his prosperity. God’s goodness and His command to return to the Promised Land (Genesis 31:3), as well as Laban’s growing hostility (Genesis 31:5), motivated Jacob to leave Paddan-aram.It is unclear from what Jacob reported to his wives when the Angel of God appeared to him in... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:1-55

Jacob’s Return from Haran4-13. Jacob attributes his prosperity to God’s favour. 14-16. Rachel and Leah point out that their father had no claim on them, since Jacob had won them by his services, and Laban had given them no share in the profits he had made through their husband’s labours. They agree to leave their home.19. The images] Heb. teraphim. These were figures of metal, wood, or clay of varying sizes, apparently in human form. They probably answered to the ’Lares and Penates,’ or... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 31:1

XXXI.JACOB’S FLIGHT.—THE PURSUIT OF HIM BY LABAN, AND THEIR RECONCILIATION.(1) Laban’s sons.—No mention hitherto had been made of Laban having any other children than Leah and Rachel. If his sons were by the same wife, they would be men about fifty-five or sixty years of age. In saying that Jacob had taken “all that was their father’s” they were guilty of exaggeration; for Laban was still rich, and probably, upon the whole, was a gainer by the presence of one so highly gifted as Jacob. Their... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 31:1-55

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 31:1-55

CHAPTER 31 Jacob’s Servitude Ended and Flight from Laban 1. Laban’s behavior and God’s commandment (Genesis 31:1-10 ) 2. The dream vision to return to the land (Genesis 31:11-16 ) 3. Jacob’s flight (Genesis 31:17-21 ) 4. Laban warned (Genesis 31:22-24 ) 5. Laban’s accusation (Genesis 31:25-30 ) 6. Jacob’s answer (Genesis 31:31-42 ) 7. The covenant between Jacob and Laban (Genesis 31:43-55 ) The twenty years had expired. Laban’s hatred and the hatred of his sons had increased.... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 31:1

31:1 And he heard the {a} 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.(a) The children put in words what the father disguised in his heart for the covetous think that whatever they cannot take, is taken from them. read more