Genesis 31:31

Jacob replied to Laban, saying, “I did not tell you that we were planning to leave, because I was afraid. I thought that if I told you, you would forcefully take your daughters away from me.

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

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

In Context

30Now, I know you have left because you long to go back home. But why did you steal my wooden idols?”

32But if you find anyone here who has your wooden idols, we will execute that person. While our relatives are watching, search for yourself to see if there is anything that belongs to you that is here with me. If you find anything, you can take it!” When Jacob said that, he did not know that Rachel had stolen the wooden idols.

Read all of Genesis 31

Cross References

Genesis 20:11Abraham replied, “I said that because I thought, ‘They certainly do not respect God in this place. If they don’t respect God, they will not respect relationships with others. If I say she is my sister, they will try to pay me a bride price to get her. But if I say she is my wife, they will kill me to get her.’

Proverbs 29:25It is like a dangerous trap [MET] for people to be ◄afraid of/worried about► what others will think about them, but those who trust in Yahweh are safe/protected.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 31:26-36

Laban's Pursuit after Jacob. ( b. c. 1739.) 25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? 28… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 31:31