Genesis 31:4 kjv

And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

Genesis 31:4 nkjv

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock,

Genesis 31:4 niv

So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were.

Genesis 31:4 esv

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was

Genesis 31:4 nlt

So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching his flock.

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 4 Meaning

Genesis 31:4 describes Jacob's initiative in summoning his wives, Rachel and Leah, away from the immediate proximity of Laban's household to a private, open-field setting where his flocks were, enabling a confidential discussion concerning his impending departure and God's directive. It highlights Jacob's deliberate and decisive action in gathering his family for a crucial communication.

Genesis 31 4 Context

This verse immediately follows God's direct instruction to Jacob to leave Laban and return to his homeland (Gen 31:3). For twenty years, Jacob has served Laban under increasingly difficult and deceptive circumstances (Gen 31:6-7, 41). Laban's attitude towards Jacob had clearly soured, with his countenance no longer being "as before" (Gen 31:2). Jacob recognizes that a significant decision—leaving Laban and their established lives—requires his wives' understanding and consent, particularly as they would be leaving their father. The private location, "to the field, to his flock," ensures the conversation's confidentiality, away from Laban's scrutiny, enabling Jacob to present his case and God's command freely. It signals Jacob taking decisive action based on divine guidance, reclaiming agency after years of servitude.

Genesis 31 4 Word analysis

• And Jacob: Marks a shift from previous interactions with Laban, highlighting Jacob's personal agency. This signals the beginning of Jacob's deliberate and divinely guided initiative, setting the stage for his eventual departure.
• sent: Hebrew: יִשְׁלַח (yishlach), an active verb implying purposeful delegation or dispatch. It shows Jacob acting as the head of his household, taking charge and initiating a critical step. This verb is often used for messengers or for performing a task.
• and called: Hebrew: וַיִּקְרָא (vayyiqra), to summon or proclaim. This implies a formal and serious invitation for deliberation rather than an arbitrary command, underscoring the gravity of the impending discussion. Jacob wanted a genuine discourse, not merely to inform.
• Rachel and Leah: Explicitly named, emphasizing their equal importance and Jacob's desire to consult both his wives who bore his children and would inherit through him. This underscores their crucial role in the family's lineage and their direct connection to the matter of leaving their father.
• to the field: Hebrew: הַשָּׂדֶה (hassadeh), literally "the open country" or "the cultivated land," as opposed to inside the tent or house. This choice of location implies a need for privacy and security from Laban's potential eavesdropping, creating an environment where sensitive matters could be discussed openly.
• to his flock: Hebrew: אֶל־צֹאנוֹ (el tsono), specifying that they went to where Jacob's own flocks were grazing. This not only reinforces the privacy aspect (away from Laban's people) but also signifies Jacob's wealth, distinct from Laban's, which was blessed by God. The flock represents his independent domain and the reason for being in that specific part of the field.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah": Demonstrates Jacob's transition into assertive, God-led headship. He is not merely waiting but actively arranging the situation for a pivotal family decision.
  • "to the field, to his flock": This phrase precisely identifies the chosen setting, which serves multiple purposes: privacy from Laban, being within Jacob's personal sphere of influence and wealth, and a symbolic space of divine blessing (his flock, multiplied by God's favor).

Genesis 31 4 Bonus section

The act of calling his wives to "the field" (outside the domestic sphere) might also subtly hint at a shift in Jacob's leadership style. He's moving from being primarily concerned with domestic matters and service to Laban to now engaging in strategic, open-country decisions for the family's future, reminiscent of patriarchal leaders moving between lands. This moment solidifies Jacob's position as a divinely appointed family head, exercising a form of "pastoral" leadership by gathering his household (sheep) to discern the path forward.

Genesis 31 4 Commentary

Genesis 31:4 is more than just a logistical detail; it signifies a critical turning point for Jacob. Prompted by God's explicit command (Gen 31:3) and his own observation of Laban's changed demeanor (Gen 31:2), Jacob wisely and deliberately takes the initiative. His action of "sending" and "calling" indicates a mature approach to family leadership, where he includes his wives in a crucial decision that profoundly impacts their lives, particularly since they would be leaving their father's home and their familiar environment. The choice of "the field, to his flock" for this confidential meeting reveals Jacob's prudence. It ensured privacy from Laban, preventing potential interference or premature exposure of their plans. Furthermore, gathering them amidst "his flock" underscores the blessing God had bestowed upon Jacob (Gen 30:43), giving him tangible assets separate from Laban's household and signaling his independence. This strategic meeting is foundational for the family's unified departure and their obedience to God's will.