Genesis 31:21 kjv

So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

Genesis 31:21 nkjv

So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead.

Genesis 31:21 niv

So he fled with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.

Genesis 31:21 esv

He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.

Genesis 31:21 nlt

So Jacob took all his possessions with him and crossed the Euphrates River, heading for the hill country of Gilead.

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 21 Meaning

Genesis 31:21 describes Jacob's decisive action of fleeing Laban. Having secretly gathered all his family and extensive possessions, he rose promptly, crossed the significant barrier of the Euphrates River, and fixed his destination toward the highlands of Gilead. This verse marks the physical initiation of his journey back to the land of Canaan, prompted by God's command and Laban's escalating mistreatment.

Genesis 31 21 Context

Genesis chapter 31 marks a critical turning point in Jacob's life. After two decades of servitude to Laban, characterized by constant deception, exploitation, and changing wages, Jacob's family and wealth have greatly increased through God's blessing (Gen 30:43). The Lord God, the God of Bethel, explicitly commanded Jacob to return to the land of his fathers (Gen 31:3, 13). This divine instruction, coupled with the escalating tension between Jacob and Laban's sons who resented his prosperity, led Jacob to decide upon a secret departure (Gen 31:20). Verse 21 describes the immediate action taken following this decision: Jacob's strategic and swift escape with his entire household, setting his course away from Mesopotamia and towards Canaan, his promised inheritance. His flight from Laban contrasts sharply with his initial flight from Esau many years prior (Gen 27), as this time he departs with immense wealth and God's clear directive.

Genesis 31 21 Word analysis

• So he fled (וַיִּבְרַח - wayyiḇraḥ):

  • Word: Wayyiḇraḥ is from the Hebrew root ברח (barach), meaning "to flee," "to escape," or "to run away hastily."
  • Significance: It emphasizes the urgency, secrecy, and often the necessity of Jacob's departure. This was not a leisurely departure but a strategic evasion of Laban's anticipated opposition, reflecting his awareness of the hostile environment and Laban's possessiveness. It signifies an act driven by self-preservation and obedience to divine instruction.

• with all that he had (כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ - kāl-’ăšer-lô):

  • Words: Literally "all which was to him."
  • Significance: This comprehensive phrase highlights the entirety of Jacob's possessions: his wives (Rachel and Leah, their maidservants), eleven sons, servants, and all the immense flocks and herds he had acquired. It underscores the scope of God's blessing and provision on Jacob, enabling him to return as a prosperous man, fulfilling God's promise. It also sets up the narrative tension as Laban's pursuit would be precisely to reclaim what he perceived as his.

• and arose (וַיָּקָם - wayyāqām):

  • Word: Wayyāqām comes from the root קוּם (qum), "to rise," "to stand up."
  • Significance: This is a common Hebrew idiom often used to denote the commencement of an action or journey, emphasizing purpose and initiative. It signifies that Jacob acted decisively and immediately, moving from a state of planning to actual execution. It conveys a sense of resolution and readiness for a difficult journey.

• and crossed (וַיַּעֲבֹר - wayya‘ăḇōr):

  • Word: Wayya‘ăḇōr derives from עבר (‘abar), "to pass over," "to cross."
  • Significance: This verb denotes the physical act of traversing a barrier. In context, it signifies a decisive break with his past in Haran. The crossing implies effort and a distinct transition from one domain to another.

• the River (הַנָּהָר - hanāhār):

  • Words: Hanāhār, literally "the river."
  • Significance: Without further specification, "the River" in a Mesopotamian context always refers to the Euphrates River (פְּרָת). It was a major geographical landmark and often a significant political and cultural boundary. Crossing it marked a definitive departure from Laban's direct influence in Paddan Aram/Mesopotamia and a symbolic step towards the land of Canaan. It parallels Abraham's crossing from Ur and foreshadows Israel's crossing of the Jordan.

• and set his face (וַיָּשֶׂם אֶת־פָּנָיו - wayyāśem ’eṯ-pānāyw):

  • Words: Literally "he placed his face." An idiomatic expression for determination and resolve in heading towards a specific destination.
  • Significance: This conveys Jacob's firm intent and clear direction. He was not merely wandering, but purposeful in his movement. This idiom is later famously used to describe Jesus' resolute journey to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51), showing a singular focus on a specific destination, come what may.

• toward the mountains of Gilead (אֶל־הַר הַגִּלְעָד - ’el-har haGGil‘ād):

  • Words: Literally "to the mount of Gilead."
  • Significance: Gilead was a rugged, mountainous region east of the Jordan River. It served as a distinct landmark and a strategic intermediate destination for Jacob. It was outside Laban's immediate territory but still on the journey back to Canaan, serving as a buffer zone. It eventually becomes a place where the covenant between Jacob and Laban is formalized. His choosing of this specific direction demonstrates strategic thinking as well as obedience to divine guidance towards the land of promise.

Genesis 31 21 Bonus section

• The parallel between Jacob's crossing the Euphrates here and Abraham's original journey "from beyond the River" (Ur of the Chaldeans) to Canaan (Josh 24:3) highlights a recurring biblical motif of a transformative journey of faith originating from Mesopotamia towards the land of promise. It marks a foundational migration for the people of God.
• Jacob's actions in this verse reflect a tension between human prudence and divine sovereignty. While Jacob executes a calculated and secretive escape, it is in direct obedience to God's earlier command, affirming that divine direction often integrates with practical, strategic human action.
• The subsequent narrative details Laban's three-day pursuit (Gen 31:22-23), indicating Jacob's lead in distance, facilitated by the "mountains of Gilead" providing initial sanctuary before confrontation. This strategic geographical choice played a role in giving Jacob a head start.

Genesis 31 21 Commentary

Genesis 31:21 encapsulates Jacob's pivotal, divinely guided departure from Laban's oppressive domain. This seemingly simple statement reveals Jacob's decisive action, rooted in both God's command to return to his homeland and the practical need to escape Laban's manipulative control. The phrase "fled with all that he had" underscores the totality of his move and the substantial wealth God had granted him despite adverse circumstances, emphasizing God's faithfulness in providing for His servant. The symbolic act of crossing "the River"—the Euphrates—marks a profound geographical, political, and spiritual boundary, signaling a clean break from Haran and a full turning back towards the promised land. His resolve to "set his face toward the mountains of Gilead" further highlights the intentionality and determined nature of this journey. Gilead serves as a strategic point on the eastern approach to Canaan, a first tangible step on the long-awaited return. This verse illustrates that even when circumstances require swift and secretive action, the believer, directed by God, can move with purpose and unwavering focus toward God's intended destination.For example, a believer in a difficult spiritual or vocational season might feel God's prompting to make a sudden, significant change. Like Jacob, they gather what they have (spiritual capital, relationships, resources) and deliberately turn away from the past, trusting God for provision and direction in their new path, despite potential opposition.