Genesis 31:30

Translations

Modern

Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s house. But why have you stolen my gods?”

Traditional

And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

Literal

And you have surely gone away because you have surely longed for the house of your father. Why did you steal my gods?”

Latin

Esto, ad tuos ire cupiebas, et desiderio erat tibi domus patris tui: cur furatus es deos meos?

Original

Hebrew

English

Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s house. But why have you stolen my gods?”

Notes

Genesis 31:25–30

The dispute between the two men used the language of legal controversies and lawsuits (see also 31:36). Laban first argued that Jacob had wronged him by stealing from him.

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Jacob Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Jeremiah 10:11
Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.”
Genesis 31:19
Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols.
Judges 18:24
He replied, “You took the gods I had made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What is the matter with you?’”
Numbers 33:4
…who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods.
Judges 6:31
But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.”
2 Samuel 5:21
There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away.
Isaiah 37:19
They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.
Isaiah 46:1–2
Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.
Exodus 12:12
On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
Jeremiah 43:12
I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed.
1 Samuel 5:2–6
…carried it into the temple of Dagon, and set it beside his statue.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birthright Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Laban (Person) Monotheism Nathanael Nuzi, Nuzi Tablets Patriarchs, Period of the Teraphim Wages

Topics

Chiding: Isaac and Laban Chide Each Other Idolatry: Early Notice of, Amongst God's Professing People Laban: Pursues Jacob, Overtakes Him at Mount Gilead, and Covenants with Him Teraphim used by Laban, Stolen by Rachael

Genesis 31:30

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