Genesis 31 22

Genesis 31:22 kjv

And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

Genesis 31:22 nkjv

And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.

Genesis 31:22 niv

On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled.

Genesis 31:22 esv

When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled,

Genesis 31:22 nlt

Three days later, Laban was told that Jacob had fled.

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 22 meaning

Genesis 31:22 reveals the moment Laban discovered Jacob's secret departure. It marks a critical turning point in the narrative, signifying the definite breach between Jacob and Laban after years of servitude and manipulation. The verse concisely reports the immediate aftermath of Jacob's flight, setting the stage for Laban's swift pursuit and the ensuing confrontation. The phrase "on the third day" indicates the precise timing of the report to Laban, highlighting the distance Jacob had managed to gain and underscoring the promptness of Laban's reaction once the news reached him.

Genesis 31 22 Context

Genesis chapter 31 finds Jacob making the momentous decision to leave Laban, his uncle and father-in-law, after twenty years of service (Gen 31:38-41). Years of Jacob's diligence and God's blessing had caused Jacob's flocks to multiply significantly, leading to jealousy from Laban's sons and a visible change in Laban's demeanor (Gen 31:1-2). At this crucial juncture, the Lord explicitly commanded Jacob to return to the land of his fathers, promising to be with him (Gen 31:3). Jacob, after consulting his wives Leah and Rachel who also expressed discontent with their father Laban, secretly packed all his possessions, family, and livestock, and departed for Canaan. Jacob cleverly timed their escape while Laban was engaged in shearing his sheep, a process that typically took workers far from home for several days. Genesis 31:22 is the pivotal verse reporting Laban's discovery of Jacob's clandestine departure, serving as the immediate trigger for Laban's swift and furious pursuit.

Genesis 31 22 Word analysis

• And it was told (וַיֻּגַּד - Vayyugad): This Hebrew verb is in the Hophal stem (passive causative imperfect), meaning "it was made known" or "it was reported." The passive voice signifies that the source of the report is not explicitly stated, possibly indicating that the news was widely known or quickly reached Laban from someone who witnessed Jacob's camp moving or discovered the empty tents. It emphasizes the event of the news reaching Laban, rather than who brought the news. This structure often denotes swiftness or a divine passive in biblical Hebrew, though here it suggests general knowledge.
• Laban (לְלָבָן - L'Laban): Refers to Jacob's cunning uncle and father-in-law, representing a past era of Jacob's life marked by labor and deception. The news directly concerns him and provokes his reaction.
• on the third day (בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי - Bayyom hash-shəlishi): This is a key temporal indicator. It suggests that Laban was some distance away tending his flocks for several days, giving Jacob a significant head start. In biblical narrative, "the third day" often signifies a moment of crisis, culmination, or divine intervention/resolution, leading to a turning point. Here, it marks the point when the consequences of Jacob's flight fully manifested to Laban, initiating the pursuit. It highlights the strategic timing of Jacob's escape while Laban's attention was elsewhere.
• that Jacob (כִּי־בָרַח יַעֲקֹב - Ki-varach Ya'aqov): The conjunction "ki" introduces the content of the report. "Jacob" is explicitly named as the subject of the flight, establishing the specific focus of the report and the cause of Laban's alarm.
• was fled (בָּרַח - barach): This Hebrew verb means "he fled," "escaped," or "ran away." It highlights the deliberate, swift, and clandestine nature of Jacob's departure, rather than an amicable leaving. Jacob sought to avoid a direct confrontation with Laban given their strained relationship and Laban's manipulative nature.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it was told Laban": This phrase conveys the immediacy of the communication. The news did not remain secret for long once Laban was accessible. It signifies the formal report of the situation to the aggrieved party.
• "on the third day": This timing is crucial. It allowed Jacob to travel a significant distance before Laban was even aware of his absence, approximately three days' journey which sets the stage for Laban needing seven days of pursuit to catch up. It suggests Laban's remote location for sheep shearing and Jacob's calculated move.
• "that Jacob was fled": This short declaration communicates the entire situation: Jacob's complete absence and the method of his departure—not a cordial farewell, but a deliberate flight. It portrays Jacob as an elusive figure and Laban as the one who was left behind and potentially wronged. This phrase highlights the breaking of their bond, marking Jacob's firm intent to separate from Laban's control.

Genesis 31 22 Bonus section

• The distance covered in three days was significant, underscoring Jacob's rapid journey with his large family and extensive flocks, suggesting an urgent and disciplined exodus.
• The specific timing (third day) and the ensuing pursuit (seven days) add to the chronological realism of the biblical narrative and enhance the dramatic tension of this escape story.
• The verse subtly introduces the theme of flight as an act of faith and obedience, as Jacob was returning at God's command (Gen 31:3), even though his methods were pragmatic. This tension between human planning and divine orchestration is a recurring motif in the book of Genesis.
• Laban's anger upon hearing this news, coupled with Rachel's theft of the teraphim (Gen 31:19), fuels his vengeful pursuit, though God intervenes to protect Jacob (Gen 31:24). This verse sets the immediate context for this divine intervention.

Genesis 31 22 Commentary

Genesis 31:22 is a concise, yet pivotal verse detailing Laban's delayed discovery of Jacob's departure. The narrative efficiently moves from Jacob's secret planning and swift execution to the realization by Laban. The "third day" emphasizes Jacob's strategic timing during Laban's absence, enabling him to gain a substantial lead. This passive reporting ("it was told") indicates the rapid spread of the news and its inevitability once Laban returned or the loss was noticed. The use of "fled" underscores the finality and covert nature of Jacob's departure, driven by years of accumulated grievances and God's explicit command. This verse triggers the ensuing dramatic pursuit and confrontation, highlighting God's continuing protection over Jacob even amidst his cunning plans to extricate himself from Laban's control.