Genesis 31 31

Genesis 31:31 kjv

And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

Genesis 31:31 nkjv

Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I said, 'Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.'

Genesis 31:31 niv

Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.

Genesis 31:31 esv

Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.

Genesis 31:31 nlt

"I rushed away because I was afraid," Jacob answered. "I thought you would take your daughters from me by force.

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 31 meaning

Genesis 31:31 reveals Jacob's justification for secretly departing from Laban: he feared Laban would violently seize his own daughters (Jacob's wives, Rachel and Leah) from him. Jacob's fear stemmed from his intimate knowledge of Laban's covetous and deceitful character, who had repeatedly cheated him and viewed his daughters as mere possessions or bargaining chips. This highlights Jacob's perceived vulnerability and his desire to protect his family and ensure their freedom from Laban's oppressive control.

Genesis 31 31 Context

This verse is set in the dramatic confrontation between Jacob and Laban after Jacob's secret departure from Paddan-Aram. Jacob, after working for Laban for 20 years, decided to return to his homeland, Canaan, under divine instruction (Gen 31:3). He departed secretly because he feared Laban would not allow his daughters or their children, Laban's granddaughters, to leave, seeing them as part of his accumulated wealth. Laban pursued Jacob for seven days, finally overtaking him in the hill country of Gilead. Before this verse, Laban had confronted Jacob, accusing him of fleeing like a fugitive and of stealing his household gods (teraphim). Jacob's answer in Genesis 31:31 is his primary justification for the clandestine departure, distinct from the accusation about the teraphim (which Rachel had hidden). The context reveals Laban's patriarchal authority and possessiveness, contrasting with Jacob's desperate need to secure his family and move forward according to God's will.

Genesis 31 31 Word analysis

• Then Jacob answered and said to Laban: Jacob speaks directly to Laban, responding to Laban's accusations and questions about why he fled secretly (Gen 31:26-27). This direct address marks a crucial point of confrontation.

• 'Because I was afraid, (יָרֵא, yare): This word denotes a strong sense of fear or terror. Jacob's primary motive was a profound human fear of Laban's potential actions. This wasn't a reverential fear of God, but a very real and rational apprehension of a human antagonist's likely behavior. This fear explains his secretive actions, justifying the lack of a proper farewell.

• for I said, (כִּי אָמַרְתִּי, ki amarti): Indicates an internal thought process or conviction that drove his actions. Jacob's fear was not an abstract emotion but a calculated assessment of Laban's character and probable response.

• 'Laban might take your daughters from me by force.' (פֶן תִּגְזֹל אֶת־בְּנוֹתֶיךָ מֵאִמִּי, pen tigzol et-bənoteykha me'immi):

  • Laban might take…by force: (תִּגְזֹל, tigzol) – This is the verb "to seize," "to rob," "to plunder," or "to carry off by violence." It implies an act of coercion, deprivation, and injustice. Jacob expected Laban not merely to request their return or dispute, but to violently snatch them.
  • your daughters: Although they were Jacob's wives and mothers of his children, Laban still viewed them as "his daughters," asserting a patriarchal claim or ownership over them. This perspective is foundational to Jacob's fear, as Laban might feel entitled to reclaim them, especially if he considered Jacob had not fulfilled all conditions or had "stolen" them. This also highlights the ancient Near Eastern cultural context where women often remained under a father's authority, even after marriage, especially if dowry issues or disputes arose.
  • from me: Jacob asserts his rightful possession of his wives as head of his household. The anticipated violent seizure would directly undermine his marital and familial rights.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Because I was afraid, for I said,": This phrase emphasizes Jacob's internal deliberation and the rationale behind his flight. It points to a fear-driven, rather than a divinely commanded, strategy for departure. While God did command him to leave, the method (secrecy) was born of Jacob's own practical apprehension.
  • "Laban might take your daughters from me by force.": This powerful statement reveals Jacob's understanding of Laban's exploitative nature. Laban had already demonstrated a pattern of changing wages and deceit. Jacob feared a definitive act of robbery concerning his family, which he had legally acquired through his years of servitude. This underscores the intense power struggle and mistrust between the two men. It speaks to the ancient custom where daughters could be "given" in marriage and taken "back" if contractual agreements (like bride price or servitude) were deemed unfulfilled by the father. Jacob foresaw Laban exploiting this customary right violently.

Genesis 31 31 Bonus section

Jacob's fear, while understandable, reveals a facet of his character that often relied on self-preservation and strategic planning rather than full reliance on God. This episode contrasts sharply with the divine promise to protect him, which was indeed realized when God intervened, preventing Laban from harming Jacob (Gen 31:24). Jacob's statement also provides a polemic against the absolute and potentially abusive power of a patriarchal head like Laban, highlighting the injustices that could occur under such systems. Laban's attempt to exert control over his married daughters' movement despite Jacob having fulfilled his years of service showcases the vulnerability of women and families under certain ancient societal structures and the challenges of establishing new, independent family units. The theft of the teraphim, though seemingly separate, is implicitly linked to this power dynamic, as teraphim could also represent title deeds or family inheritance, further solidifying Laban's desire to control the movement of his property, which included his daughters and their offspring.

Genesis 31 31 Commentary

Jacob's explanation in Gen 31:31 is not an excuse for wrongdoing, but a candid revelation of his true fear, deeply rooted in his extensive experience with Laban. He understood that Laban valued his daughters as assets rather than as individuals with agency, capable of choosing their husband or leaving with him. Given Laban's track record of changing wages and outright deceit (Gen 31:7), Jacob foresaw that Laban would employ any means, including violence or arbitrary claims of paternal rights, to retain Rachel and Leah, perhaps demanding more servitude or assets from Jacob. Jacob's flight, though secretive, was therefore a preemptive action, driven by a father's desire to protect his family and preserve their hard-won freedom and his own lineage. It also illustrates a recurring pattern in Jacob's life: using human wisdom and strategy (even deceptive ones) to navigate challenging situations, sometimes preceding or accompanying divine intervention. While God protected him, Jacob's initial response stemmed from a very human and understandable fear of Laban's power and greed.