Keraia
Genesis 31

Genesis 31:33

Laban Pursues Jacob · Genesis 31:22–42
Read Genesis 31

Translations

Modern
So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent.
Traditional
And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.
Literal
And Laban went into the tent of Jacob, and into the tent of Leah, and into the tent of the two maidservants, and he did not find anything. And he went out of the tent of Leah and entered into the tent of Rachel.
Latin
Ingressus itaque Laban tabernaculum Jacob, et Liæ, et utriusque famulæ, non invenit. Cumque intrasset tentorium Rachelis,

Original

Hebrew
English
So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent.

Notes

Genesis 31:33–35

Laban searched for the idols but did not find them. He did not think that a woman in her monthly bleeding would make the idols ceremonially unclean by sitting on them (see Leviticus 15:19–24).

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 Rachel Symbolic Numbers

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Laban: Brother of Rebekah; father of Leah and Rachel Leah: Wife of Jacob; mother of six sons and Dinah Rachel: Wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin

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 Laban: Pursues Jacob, Overtakes Him at Mount Gilead, and Covenants with Him Rachel: Steals the Household Images (Teraphim, Legal Deed) of Her Father Tent: Women had Separate Tents from Men Tents: Separate, for the Servants Teraphim used by Laban, Stolen by Rachael Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings