Genesis 31:16 kjv

For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

Genesis 31:16 nkjv

For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children's; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it."

Genesis 31:16 niv

Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you."

Genesis 31:16 esv

All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do."

Genesis 31:16 nlt

All the wealth God has given you from our father legally belongs to us and our children. So go ahead and do whatever God has told you."

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 16 Meaning

Genesis 31:16 states the united conviction of Rachel and Leah that the wealth Jacob acquired was rightfully theirs and their children's, having been delivered by God from Laban. It then emphatically urges Jacob to obey whatever God has commanded him to do. This verse signifies the wives' full support for Jacob's plan to leave Laban, grounded in their understanding of God's justice and His direct instructions.

Genesis 31 16 Context

Genesis 31:16 occurs during a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, following twenty years of service to Laban in Paddan-aram. Jacob has experienced Laban's consistent deceit and manipulation regarding his wages and his family life. God has recently appeared to Jacob, commanding him to return to the land of his fathers (Gen 31:3), promising His presence and protection. Jacob then calls Rachel and Leah to a meeting in the field to discuss his intention to leave. Before Jacob can fully present his case or decision, his wives preemptively affirm his decision by acknowledging Laban's mistreatment and God's intervention, making his departure not only justifiable but divinely sanctioned. Their conviction removes any doubt for Jacob regarding the righteousness of his action.

Genesis 31 16 Word analysis

• For (כִּ֣י, Kī): "Indeed," "Because." Introduces the wives' reasoning and justification for their shared opinion and their support for Jacob.
• all the riches (כׇּל־הֶעֹ֗שֶׁר, ḵol-heʿošer): ʿošer refers to material wealth, especially flocks, servants, and all acquired possessions. It highlights the extent of Jacob's gain under God's favor and Laban's repeated injustice.
• which God has taken (אֲשֶׁ֤ר הִצִּיל֙ אֱלֹהִ֔ים, ʾăšer hiṣṣil ʾĕlōhīm):
  • hiṣṣil (from nāṣal): "delivered," "rescued," "saved." This active verb emphasizes God's direct and forceful intervention. It portrays God not merely permitting, but actively recovering what was due to Jacob, implying Laban had unjustly held it. This term is often used for deliverance from oppression (e.g., God delivering Israel from Egypt).
  • ʾĕlōhīm: "God." The general divine name, affirming the transcendent and sovereign power involved. Rachel and Leah see a divine hand, not mere chance, in their changed circumstances.
• from our father (מֵאָבִ֖ינוּ, mēʾāḇīnu): Refers to Laban. The possessive pronoun "our" signals the daughters' alienation from their deceptive father, who had exploited them and Jacob.
• that is ours, and our children's (ה֣וּא לָ֙נוּ֙ וּלְבָנֵ֑ינוּ, hū lānu ūleḇānenu): Asserting legitimate ownership and future security. This clarifies their understanding that the wealth is their rightful compensation, which should have been their dowry and provision for their descendants. It grounds their support in both justice and practicality.
• now then (וְעַתָּ֕ה, weʿattāh): "And now," "Therefore." A crucial transition, marking the logical conclusion of their statement and initiating a direct command to Jacob.
• whatsoever God has said (כֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־אָמַ֥ר אֱלֹהִ֖ים, kōl ʾăšer-ʾāmar ʾĕlōhīm): Refers to the divine commands given to Jacob, specifically the instruction to return to Canaan (Gen 31:3). The wives show awareness of God's direct communication to Jacob.
• to you (אֵלֶ֥יךָ, ʾēleḵā): Singular masculine, addressing Jacob directly.
• do (עֲשֵֽׂה׃, ʿăśēh): An imperative verb, "do it!" or "act!" It is a decisive call for Jacob to proceed immediately with God's directive, underscoring their unified agreement and resolve.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For all the riches which God has taken from our father": This phrase succinctly encapsulates their rationale: God's justice in reclaiming Jacob's rightfully earned wealth from Laban's deceptive grasp. It positions God as the active agent correcting injustice.
• "that is ours, and our children's": This declaration firmly establishes the family's claim to the wealth, vital for their future and lineage, grounding their agreement in financial justice and generational provision. It signifies their joint investment in Jacob's future.
• "now then, whatsoever God has said to you, do": This powerful command provides the decisive impetus for Jacob. It highlights their conviction in God's word and their alignment with His will, urging Jacob to obey the divine instruction without hesitation. It transforms Jacob's potential uncertainty into a divinely sanctioned imperative.

Genesis 31 16 Bonus section

The profound insight of Rachel and Leah in recognizing God's active deliverance (hiṣṣil) mirrors the broader biblical theme of God rescuing His people from various forms of oppression. This prefigures the great exodus, where God "delivered" Israel from Pharaoh. This early application of hiṣṣil emphasizes God's personal concern for individuals facing injustice and His power to intervene decisively on their behalf. Their united stance also highlights a rare moment of accord between the often-rivalrous sisters, unified by a shared experience of injustice from their father and a shared conviction in God's directive to Jacob. This moment of female solidarity provides crucial affirmation and courage for Jacob, whose leadership within the household is bolstered by this alignment with God's stated purpose for his family.

Genesis 31 16 Commentary

Genesis 31:16 is a remarkable testament to the spiritual discernment and unwavering support of Rachel and Leah. They demonstrate profound conviction regarding Laban's injustice, viewing the accumulated wealth not as Jacob's cunning achievement but as God's righteous delivery from their deceptive father. The strong verb hiṣṣil ("rescued" or "delivered") used here emphasizes divine intervention, portraying Laban as an oppressor from whom God had liberated Jacob's assets. This perspective effectively morally validates Jacob's actions.

Beyond recognizing God's justice, they reveal their awareness of Jacob's prior divine communication ("whatsoever God has said to you"). This shows they were privy to Jacob's spiritual guidance, possibly through his accounts of visions and directives. Their command, "do!", serves as an emphatic affirmation, pushing Jacob to obey God immediately and decisively. This unity between Jacob and his wives, specifically concerning their shared commitment to obeying God's revealed will and recognizing His active hand in their lives, is a critical turning point in the narrative, empowering Jacob to leave Laban without wavering. This verse underscores that true obedience to God's leading often requires discerning His hand in life's circumstances and courageously acting on His word, often with the support of a united family.