Keraia
Genesis 31

Genesis 31:3

Jacob Flees from Laban · Genesis 31:1–21
Read Genesis 31

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
Traditional
And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
Literal
And YHWH said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
Latin
…maxime dicente sibi Domino: Revertere in terram patrum tuorum, et ad generationem tuam, eroque tecum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

Notes

Genesis 31:3

  • the land of your fathers was Canaan, to which God had called Abraham (12:1–7; 17:8).

  • Go back … I will be with you: See study notes on 26:2–5; 28:12–15. God protected Jacob (also called “Israel,” 32:28) as he led his family back to the land God promised them. Later, God brought Israel back to Canaan after many years of slavery in Egypt.

    This return had many similarities to this passage:

    • God defeated foreign gods and beliefs.

    • He used dreams for rescue and protection.

    • He gave victory over threats.

    • He set boundaries between nations and tribes (see Deuteronomy 32:8).

Genesis 31:1–21

Jacob’s return journey led to a conflict with Laban. This conflict created a lasting boundary between Israel (Jacob) and Aram (Laban). God kept his promise to Jacob. He made Jacob successful in Paddan-aram and protected him as he traveled back home.

Genesis 29:1–31:55

  • These chapters describe how God fulfilled his promise by greatly blessing Jacob with a family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction.

  • The story of Jacob and Laban is similar to Israel's later stay in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the 12 tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of 12 large tribes and escaping with great riches.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Jacob Monotheism Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Communion: Isaac, in Dreams God: Preserver Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants Laban: Outwitted by Jacob