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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 31:23 So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/31-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_31_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 31:23 - Laban Pursues Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/31-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/31-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/31-22.htm" title="Genesis 31:22">◄</a> Genesis 31:23 <a href="/genesis/31-24.htm" title="Genesis 31:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So he gathered a group of his relatives and set out in hot pursuit. He caught up with Jacob seven days later in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him <i>a distance of</i> seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />then he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him a distance of seven days&#8217 journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />then he took his kinsmen with him, and pursued him <i>a distance of</i> seven days’ journey; and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />so he took his relatives with him and pursued him <i>a distance of</i> seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So he took his relatives with him and pursued him for seven days, and they overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him at Mount Gilead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So he took some of his relatives along and chased after Jacob for seven days, before catching up with him in the hill country of Gilead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He and his relatives pursued Jacob for seven days. Laban caught up with him in the mountains of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He took his men with him and pursued Jacob for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />so he took his relatives with him and pursued Jacob. Laban was on the road for seven days when he finally caught up with Jacob in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So he took his relatives with him and pursued Jacob for seven days. He caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He took his relatives with him, and pursued after him for seven days, and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey: and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He took his relatives with him, and pursued him seven days’ journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gilead. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he takes his brothers with him, and pursues after him a journey of seven days, and overtakes him in the Mount of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he taketh his brethren with him, and pursueth after him a journey of seven days, and overtaketh him in the mount of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will take his brethren with him, and pursue after him a way of seven days: and he will overtake him in Mount Gilead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days; and overtook him in the mount of Galaad. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And taking his brothers with him, he pursued him for seven days. And he overtook him at Mount Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Taking his kinsmen with him, he pursued him for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So he took his kinsfolk with him and pursued him for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days journey; and they overtook him on mount Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he took his brothers with him and pursued after him a seven days’ journey and he overtook him in the Mount of Gilead.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And having taken his brethren with him, he pursued after him seven days' journey, and overtook him on Mount Galaad.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/31-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7720" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Laban Pursues Jacob</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22</span>On the third day Laban was informed that Jacob had fled. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">So he took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’e·ḥāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">his relatives</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: way·yir·dōp̄ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">pursued</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: šiḇ·‘aṯ (Number-msc) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">for seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1692.htm" title="1692: way·yaḏ·bêq (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To cling, cleave, keep close. A primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. Cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit.">and overtook</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: bə·har (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">in the hill country</a> <a href="/hebrew/1568.htm" title="1568: hag·gil·‘āḏ (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably from Gal'ed; Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites.">of Gilead.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36-42</a></span><br />Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me? / You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us. / I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Genesis 27:41-45</a></span><br />Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” / When the words of her older son Esau were relayed to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and told him, “Look, your brother Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you. / So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-6.htm">Genesis 32:6-8</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.” / In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels. / He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one camp, then the other camp can escape.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-30.htm">Genesis 27:30-41</a></span><br />As soon as Isaac had finished blessing him and Jacob had left his father’s presence, his brother Esau returned from the hunt. / He too made some tasty food, brought it to his father, and said to him, “My father, sit up and eat of your son’s game, so that you may bless me.” / But his father Isaac replied, “Who are you?” “I am Esau, your firstborn son,” he answered. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/33-1.htm">Genesis 33:1-4</a></span><br />Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. / He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. / But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-5.htm">Exodus 14:5-9</a></span><br />When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” / So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. / He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-8.htm">1 Samuel 30:8-10</a></span><br />and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.” / So David and his six hundred men went to the Brook of Besor, where some stayed behind / because two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the brook. But David and four hundred men continued in pursuit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm">1 Samuel 23:25-28</a></span><br />and Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard of this, he pursued David there. / Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them. / Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">2 Kings 6:13-14</a></span><br />So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-37.htm">Psalm 18:37</a></span><br />I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-4.htm">Psalm 35:4-6</a></span><br />May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded. / May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away. / May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-7.htm">Proverbs 16:7</a></span><br />When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-11.htm">Isaiah 41:11-12</a></span><br />Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-41.htm">Jeremiah 50:41-42</a></span><br />Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth. / They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13-15</a></span><br />When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he took his brothers with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-8.htm">Genesis 13:8</a></b></br> And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we <i>be</i> brethren.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-27.htm">Genesis 24:27</a></b></br> And he said, Blessed <i>be</i> the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I <i>being</i> in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/2-11.htm">Exodus 2:11,13</a></b></br> And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/27-27.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/genesis/27-27.htm">Close</a> <a href="/genesis/31-21.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/30-36.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Family</a> <a href="/genesis/24-61.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/genesis/31-21.htm">Gilead</a> <a href="/genesis/31-21.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/genesis/31-21.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/30-36.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/genesis/24-27.htm">Kinsmen</a> <a href="/genesis/31-21.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/genesis/31-21.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-9.htm">Overtaketh</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-10.htm">Overtook</a> <a href="/genesis/14-15.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/genesis/14-15.htm">Pursueth</a> <a href="/genesis/31-3.htm">Relatives</a> <a href="/genesis/29-30.htm">Seven</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Close</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/genesis/32-9.htm">Family</a> <a href="/genesis/32-19.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Gilead</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/33-12.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Kinsmen</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Overtaketh</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Overtook</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/exodus/14-8.htm">Pursueth</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Relatives</a> <a href="/genesis/33-3.htm">Seven</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Rachel steals her father's household gods.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-34.htm">Rachel's plan to hide the images.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Jacob's complaint of Laban.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So he took his relatives with him</b><br>Laban's decision to take his relatives highlights the importance of family alliances in ancient Near Eastern culture. This action underscores the communal nature of disputes and the reliance on kinship for support and protection. In the patriarchal society of the time, family ties were crucial for maintaining social and economic stability.<p><b>pursued Jacob for seven days</b><br>The pursuit lasting seven days may symbolize completeness or divine timing, as the number seven often represents in biblical literature. This pursuit reflects the intensity of Laban's determination to confront Jacob, who had left without notice. The journey from Haran to Gilead would have been arduous, indicating Laban's strong motivation to reclaim what he believed was his.<p><b>and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead</b><br>Gilead, a region east of the Jordan River, is known for its rugged terrain and strategic location. It served as a natural boundary and was often a place of refuge or confrontation in biblical narratives. The mention of Gilead connects to other biblical events, such as the story of Jephthah in <a href="/judges/11.htm">Judges 11</a>. The geographical setting emphasizes the tension and potential for conflict between Laban and Jacob, as Gilead was a place where significant decisions and covenants were made.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>The father-in-law of Jacob, who feels wronged by Jacob's departure and pursues him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The grandson of Abraham, who has fled from Laban with his family and possessions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/relatives_of_laban.htm">Relatives of Laban</a></b><br>Those who accompany Laban in his pursuit of Jacob, indicating a significant group.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_gilead.htm">Mount Gilead</a></b><br>The location where Laban finally catches up with Jacob, a region east of the Jordan River.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/pursuit.htm">Pursuit</a></b><br>The event of Laban chasing Jacob, which highlights the tension and unresolved issues between them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_protection.htm">Divine Protection</a></b><br>Just as God protected Jacob from Laban's potential harm, He watches over His people today. We can trust in His promises and presence in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/resolving_conflict.htm">Resolving Conflict</a></b><br>Laban's pursuit of Jacob highlights unresolved conflict. As believers, we are called to seek reconciliation and peace in our relationships, following biblical principles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite human intentions and actions, God's plans and promises prevail. We can have confidence in His faithfulness to fulfill His word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_dynamics.htm">Family Dynamics</a></b><br>The account of Jacob and Laban reminds us of the complexities of family relationships. We are encouraged to handle family matters with wisdom, patience, and prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>Jacob's journey and the timing of Laban's pursuit show that God's timing is perfect. We are called to trust His timing in our own lives, even when circumstances seem challenging.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_rebekah_in_the_bible.htm">Who is Rebekah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_reveal_his_name_in_exodus.htm">Exodus 6:2-3: Why does God claim His name wasn't revealed before this moment, yet the name Yahweh appears earlier in Genesis?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_gen_31_41_suggest_inconsistency.htm">In Genesis 31:41, Jacob claims Laban changed his wages ten times, yet no detailed account shows each change; does this raise questions of consistency or exaggeration?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jacob's_biblical_life_unfold.htm">How did Jacob's life unfold in biblical narratives?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">His brethren.</span>--As Jacob, who had no relatives with him except his sons, applies this term in <a href="/genesis/31-46.htm" title="And Jacob said to his brothers, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there on the heap.">Genesis 31:46</a> to his followers, it is, probably, an honourable way of describing retainers, who were freemen and of a higher class than men-servants.<p><span class= "bld">Seven days' journey.--</span>The route chosen by Jacob was apparently the more easterly one, past Tadmor, and through the Hauran, leaving Damascus to the west. The hill, which subsequently was called Mount Gilead, lay to the south of the Jabbok; but asMahanaim, reached some days after the meeting with Laban, is to the north of that river, the word Gilead was evidently applied to the whole of the region of chalk cliffs on the east of the Jordan. This is made certain by the fact that Laban overtook Jacob in seven days. But as the distance from Haran to the most northerly part of this country (afterwards assigned to the half-tribe of Manasseh) was fully three hundred miles, it would require hard riding on the part of Laban and his brethren to enable them to overtake Jacob, even on the borders of this region. There is no difficulty about Jacob's movements. His flocks were pastured at so remote a distance from Haran that it would be easy for him to send them in detachments to the ford of the Euphrates, distant about sixty or seventy miles; he would make all the arrangements with his four elder sons and trusty servants, and, probably, even see them across the ford himself, and would return to Haran to fetch his wives and younger children only when all was well advanced. Finally, when Laban goes to a distance, in another direction, for his sheep-shearing, Jacob "sets his sons and his wives upon camels," and follows with the utmost speed. They would have remained quietly at Haran to the last, to avoid suspicion, and, excepting Leah's four elder sons, the rest would have been too young to be of much use. When Jacob, with his wives, overtook the cattle, they would, probably, not travel more than ten or twelve miles a day; but three days passed before Laban learned what had taken place, and a couple of days at least must have been spent in returning to Haran and preparing for the pursuit. Thus Jacob had reached Canaanite ground--a matter of very considerable importance--before his father-in-law overtook him.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/31-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So he took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקַּ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his kinsmen</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחָיו֙</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḥāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with him,</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמּ֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pursued</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּרְדֹּ֣ף</span> <span class="translit">(way·yir·dōp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jacob</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְעַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and overtook</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּדְבֵּ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḏ·bêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1692.htm">Strong's 1692: </a> </span><span class="str2">To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him at Mount</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·har)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gilead.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּלְעָֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gil·‘āḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1568.htm">Strong's 1568: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/31-23.htm">Genesis 31:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/31-23.htm">OT Law: Genesis 31:23 He took his relatives with him (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/31-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 31:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/31-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 31:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>