Keraia
Genesis 31

Genesis 31:34

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

Translations

Modern
Now Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing.
Traditional
Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
Literal
And Rachel had taken the teraphim and put them in the saddle of the camel, and sat on them. And Laban felt all about the tent, and he did not find them.
Latin
…illa festinans abscondit idola subter stramenta cameli, et sedit desuper: scrutantique omne tentorium, et nihil invenienti,

Original

Hebrew
English
Now Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing.

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

Laban: Brother of Rebekah; father of Leah and Rachel Rachel: Wife of Jacob; mother of Joseph and Benjamin

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birthright Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Idols, Idolatry 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 Teraphim used by Laban, Stolen by Rachael The Camel: Furniture of, Alluded To Theft and Thieves by Rachel, of the Household Gods (Teraphim) Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images