genesis-31:19,-genesis-31:30-37

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Genesis 31:19

Quest. 1. What were those teraphim or images? Answ. They were images made in the shape of men, 1 Samuel 19:13,1 Samuel 19:16, which the Gentiles worshipped as subordinate gods, Genesis 31:30,Genesis 31:32, to which they committed the protection of their families, 1 Samuel 19:13, which they used to consult about secret or future things, and from which they received answers about them, Ezekiel 21:21; Zechariah 10:2. Of these see more Judges 17:5; Judges 18:14,Judges 18:17, &c.; Hosea 3:4. And... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Genesis 31:1-21

CRITICAL NOTES.—Genesis 31:7. Changed my wages ten times.] Probably to be understood as a round number, meaning any number of times—as often as he could. The expression “ten times” is used for frequently, in Numbers 14:22, and in other passages.—Genesis 31:11. The Angel of God.] This is, as elsewhere, the angel or messenger who speaks in the person of God himself. (Genesis 31:13). Genesis 31:19. Images.] Heb. Teraphim. “This word occurs fifteen times in the Old Testament. It appears three times... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:1-55

Chapter 31And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and all that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory ( Genesis 31:1 ).In other words, they are now saying, "Hey, that really belongs to our dad. Jacob's stolen it from us". Not so. Jacob made the deal. His dad made the deal, but now the brothers are jealous because Jacob has such a large flock. They're so strong and healthy and there's a great jealousy.And Jacob beheld the... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 31:1-55

Genesis 31:1. He heard the words of Laban’s sons. Three causes are assigned for Jacob’s abrupt removal: first, the bitter reproaches of Laban’s sons: secondly, the consequent change in the countenance of Laban; and thirdly, the special command of God, who, ever faithful to his covenant, guarded Jacob with a watchful eye, and enriched him with a munificent hand. Genesis 31:15. He hath sold us; that is, he hath given us in marriage for fourteen years’ service, and not returned the wealth... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Genesis 31:17-21

Genesis 31:17-21Then Jacob rose up.Lessons1. Concurrence of all things with the call of God points out the time of man’s obedience to him. 2. He that hath God’s call for himself and others to any undertaking should prepare first for it. 3. It concerns husbands and fathers to provide for convenient motions of wives and children upon God’s call (Genesis 31:17). 4. Prudence teacheth men to order all their substance as motions rightly upon God’s call. 5. Justice will suffer no man to take anything... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Genesis 31:19

Gen 31:19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that [were] her father’s. Ver. 19. Rachel had stolen the images. ] She was somewhat tackt a with her father’s superstition, though somewhat reclaimed. "Little children, keep yourselves from idols". 1Jn 5:21 Nothing so natural to us as image worship. Nothing so retained by us, when once entertained. After all that airing in the wilderness, Micah’s mother smells of Egypt, and hath her molten and graven gods. Jdg 17:3... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Genesis 31:19

images: Heb. teraphim, Genesis 31:30, Genesis 31:32, Genesis 35:2, Joshua 24:2, Judges 17:4, Judges 17:5, Judges 18:14-Jeremiah :, Judges 18:31, 1 Samuel 19:13, Ezekiel 21:21, Hosea 3:4, These might have been images devoted to superstitious or idolatrous purposes, as they are termed gods by Laban, in Genesis 31:30. The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan render it, tzalmanaya, "images;" the LXX and Theodoret, ויהןכןם [Strong's G1497], "idols;" Aquilla, לןסצשלבפב, "figures;" and the Persian,... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Genesis 31:19

And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.Laban went to shear his sheep — That part of his flock which was in the hands of his sons, three days journey off. Now, (1.) It is certain it was lawful for Jacob to leave his service suddenly: it was not only justified by the particular instructions God gave him, but warranted by the fundamental law of self-preservation which directs us, when we are in danger, to shift for our own safety, as far as we... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:19

19. Laban went to shear his sheep This afforded an opportunity for Jacob to effect his escape without trouble or excitement, for he feared forcible opposition from Laban . Genesis 31:31. Had stolen Or, stole . While Laban went to the shearing, she steals . The images The teraphim . This word is always used in the plural, and is of uncertain origin . It appears to denote a sort of household gods, ( Penates,) common in Syria, and often consulted as domestic oracles . By these... read more