Bible Commentaries
Genesis 31

Verse 1

glory. Hebrew weight. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 = wealth, the effect (i.e. the burden or weight) being put for that which caused it.

Verse 5

as before. Hebrew yesterday and the day before. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), = aforetime.

Verse 6

your father: repeated at beginning of next verse by the Figure of speech Anadiplosis.

Verse 7

suffered him not. Figure of speech Idioma. Hebrew did not give him to do me evil.

hurt. Hebrew. ra'a' . See App-44 .

Verse 11

angel of God (Hebrew. Elohim). In Genesis 31:13 called by Himself, "I am the God of Beth-el", El of Beth-el. Compare Genesis 28:12 , Genesis 28:13 , and Genesis 48:16 .

Verse 12

cattle. Compare Psalms 50:10 .

Verse 13

vowedst a vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton, App-6 = madest a solemn vow.

Verse 14

Is there yet, &c. ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Verse 19

images. Hebrew. teraphim, a kind of household gods, showing that the idolatry of Babylonia still clung to Laban's family, in spite of his protestations in Genesis 31:20 ; Genesis 30:27 . Compare Genesis 31:30 ; Genesis 35:2 .

Verse 20

unawares to Laban. Hebrew stole the heart. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , heart being put for knowledge. Compare Genesis 31:27 . Rachel stole Laban's idols; and Jacob stole Laban's heart.

Verse 21

the river = the Euphrates. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Genus).

Gilead = perpetual fountain. Compare Numbers 32:1 , Numbers 32:39 . Deuteronomy 3:12-16 ; Deuteronomy 34:1 .

Verse 23

brethren. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , one relationship put for a general one.

Verse 24

good or bad. Hebrew from good to bad.

Verse 27

with mirth. Laban adds hypocrisy, covetousness, and avarice, to idolatry.

Verse 28

sons. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Species), sons put for grandsons, &c.

Verse 29

hand. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), hand put for the whole person, "in my power".

you and your are plural. God of your father. In Genesis 30:27 , Genesis 30:30 , Laban had spoken of the LORD = Jehovah; now he has sunk so low as to say' your" God, and calls the teraphim "my gods".

Verse 30

sore longedst. Hebrew with longing thou hast longed. Figure of speech Polyptoton.

my gods. Compare on Genesis 31:29 .

Verse 32

let him not live. This was in strict accordance with the Code of Khammurabi (9), but in contrast with the Mosaic law. See App-15 .

Verse 33

Rachel. Repeated by the Figure of speech Anadiplosis. Hebrew "tent of Rachel, and Rachel had taken. "

furniture = saddle.

searched = felt [with his hands].

Verse 34

Rachel. Repeated by the Figure of speech Anadiplosis. Hebrew "tent of Rachel, and Rachel had taken. "

furniture = saddle.

searched = felt [with his hands].

Verse 35

my lord. Hebrew the eyes of my lord. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .

custom. Laban's deceit begets deceit.

Verse 38

twenty. The No. of disappointed expectancy. See App-10 .

Verse 39

my hand. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), hand put for "me". Compare Genesis 31:29 .

Verse 40

Thus I was. Figure of speech Ellipsis = "Thus (wherever) I was".

droughts heat. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), effect put for the burning heat which caused it. Contrast with cold produced by the frost.

my sleep. The Eastern shepherd often away from home for weeks at a time.

Verse 42

the fear. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct). App-6 , fear put for the God Whom Jacob worshipped.

with me = on my side. Psalms 118:6 , Psalms 118:7 .

Verse 44

make. Hebrew cut (Compare Genesis 15:10 , Genesis 15:18 ) = solemnize.

Verse 45

pillar. Compare Genesis 28:18 .

Verse 46

eat: i.e. of the covenant sacrifices. Compare Genesis 26:30 . Exodus 24:5 , Exodus 24:11 .

Verse 47

Jegar-sahadutha. Chaldaic = witness-heap.

Verse 49

Mizpah. Hebrew watch-tower.

he. i.e. Laban. So that he knew Hebrew as well as Chaldee.

the LORD. Laban also uses the name Jehovah. It is used by all the speakers in Genitive except the Nachash (Genesis 3:0 ), Abimelech (when speaking to Abram, not to Isaac), the sons of Heth, Pharaoh, Joseph's brethren, and Joseph himself.

absent. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 = Hebrew hidden, put for absent.

Verse 51

pillar. Distinct from the "heap". Compare Genesis 31:45 , Genesis 31:46 .

Verse 54

offered sacrifice = killed beasts. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct).

Verse 55

sons. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part). Put for grandsons as well.

daughters . Also for granddaughters. The second vision, corresponding with that of Bethel: See Genesis 28:10-22 .