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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 31:30 Now you have gone off because you long for your father's house. But why have you stolen my gods?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/31-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/01_Gen_31_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 31:30 - Laban Pursues Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now you have gone off because you long for your father's house. 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But why did you steal my gods?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I can understand your feeling that you must go, and your intense longing for your father’s home. But why have you stolen my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s house. But why have you stolen my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And now, <i>though</i> thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, <i>yet</i> wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, <i>but</i> why did you steal my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now you have indeed gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house; <i>but</i> why did you steal my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now you have indeed gone away because you longed greatly for your father&#8217s house; but why did you steal my gods?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And now you have indeed gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house; <i>but</i> why did you steal my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So now you have indeed gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house; <i>but</i> why did you steal my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now [I suppose] you felt you must go because you were homesick for your father’s house <i>and</i> family; but why did you steal my [household] gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s family—but why have you stolen my gods? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now you have gone off because you long for your father—but why have you stolen my gods?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I can understand why you were eager to return to your father, but why did you have to steal my idols? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Now you have left for your father's home because you were so homesick. But why did you steal my gods?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I know that you left because you were so anxious to get back home, but why did you steal my household gods?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now, you can go if you must go, because you certainly are longing to go to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now you have gone off because you long for your father?s house. But why have you stolen my gods??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now I understand that you have gone away because you longed desperately for your father's house. Yet why did you steal my gods?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now you have indeed gone away, because you longed greatly for your father?s house. But why have you stolen my gods?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou didst earnestly long after thy father's house; yet why hast thou stolen my gods?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now, you want to be gone, because you greatly longed for your father’s house, but why have you stolen my gods?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, you have certainly gone, because you have been very desirous for the house of your father; why have you stolen my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And now, thou hast certainly gone, because thou hast been very desirous for the house of thy father; why hast thou stolen my gods?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now going thou didst go, for desiring thou didst greatly desire after the house of thy father; for what didst thou steal my gods?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Suppose thou didst desire to go to thy friends, and hadst a longing after thy father's house: why hast thou stolen away my gods? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It may be that you desired to go to your own, and that you longed for the house of your father. But why have you stolen my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Granted that you had to leave because you were longing for your father’s house, why did you steal my gods?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Even though you had to go because you longed greatly for your father’s house, why did you steal my gods?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And now you are on your way, because you longed for your father's house; yet why did you steal my gods?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And now you are going because you truly long for the house of your father. Why have you stolen my gods?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And now that thou art surely gone, because thou sore longest after thy father's house, wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Now then go on thy way, for thou hast earnestly desired to depart to the house of thy father; wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/31-30.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=7784" 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">29</span>I have power to do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hā·lōḵ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">you have gone off</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hā·laḵ·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/3700.htm" title="3700: niḵ·sōp̄ (V-Nifal-InfAbs) -- To long (for). A primitive root; properly, to become pale, i.e. to pine after; also to fear.">you long</a> <a href="/hebrew/3700.htm" title="3700: niḵ·sap̄·tāh (V-Nifal-Perf-2ms) -- To long (for). A primitive root; properly, to become pale, i.e. to pine after; also to fear."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">for your father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: lə·ḇêṯ (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">house.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">But why</a> <a href="/hebrew/1589.htm" title="1589: ḡā·naḇ·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To steal. A primitive root; to thieve; by implication, to deceive.">have you stolen</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/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hāy (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">my gods?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>“I was afraid,” Jacob answered, “for I thought you would take your daughters from me by force.…<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="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-2.htm">Joshua 24:2</a></span><br />And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">1 Samuel 7:3</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4-5</a></span><br />For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. / Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-12.htm">2 Kings 17:12</a></span><br />They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-8.htm">Isaiah 42:8</a></span><br />I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-10.htm">Jeremiah 10:10-11</a></span><br />But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. / Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-7.htm">Ezekiel 20:7-8</a></span><br />And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ / But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-13.htm">Hosea 2:13</a></span><br />I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she adorned herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a></span><br />Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23</a></span><br />and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a></span><br />What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8</a></span><br />Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-5.htm">Ephesians 5:5</a></span><br />For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And now, though you would needs be gone, because you sore longed after your father's house, yet why have you stolen my gods?</p><p class="hdg">my gods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Genesis 31:19</a></b></br> And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that <i>were</i> her father's.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-12.htm">Exodus 12:12</a></b></br> For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/33-4.htm">Numbers 33:4</a></b></br> For the Egyptians buried all <i>their</i> firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/13-18.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/jude/1-3.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/genesis/30-43.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/romans/10-1.htm">Heart's</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/30-16.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-8.htm">Longed</a> <a href="/genesis/24-5.htm">Needs</a> <a href="/genesis/20-15.htm">Seems</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Steal</a> <a href="/genesis/31-26.htm">Stolen</a> <a href="/genesis/31-16.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/29-21.htm">Want</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/genesis/30-15.htm">Wouldest</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/17-12.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/genesis/43-3.htm">Earnestly</a> <a href="/genesis/34-19.htm">Father's</a> <a href="/genesis/31-32.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/genesis/32-7.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-20.htm">Heart's</a> <a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/37-8.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-39.htm">Longed</a> <a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">Needs</a> <a href="/exodus/4-13.htm">Seems</a> <a href="/genesis/34-25.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/genesis/44-8.htm">Steal</a> <a href="/genesis/31-32.htm">Stolen</a> <a href="/genesis/31-42.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Want</a> <a href="/genesis/32-29.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/genesis/31-31.htm">Wouldest</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>Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s house.</b><br>This phrase reflects Jacob's deep desire to return to his homeland, which is a recurring theme in the patriarchal narratives. Jacob's longing for his father's house signifies a return to the land promised to Abraham and Isaac, highlighting the importance of the Abrahamic covenant. This desire also underscores the theme of exile and return, which is prevalent throughout the Bible, including the Israelites' eventual return from Babylonian captivity. The longing for one's homeland can be seen as a type of the Christian's longing for their heavenly home, as mentioned in <a href="/hebrews/11-16.htm">Hebrews 11:16</a>.<p><b>But why have you stolen my gods?”</b><br>This accusation by Laban reveals the polytheistic practices of the time, contrasting with Jacob's monotheistic faith in Yahweh. The "gods" refer to household idols, or teraphim, which were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures and often associated with inheritance rights or protection. The theft of these idols by Rachel, Jacob's wife, introduces a subplot of deception and familial tension. This incident foreshadows the later struggles of Israel with idolatry, as seen in the narratives of the Judges and Kings. Theologically, it highlights the futility of idol worship compared to the worship of the one true God, a theme echoed in <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and husband to Leah and Rachel. He is returning to his father's house after years of service to Laban.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>Jacob's father-in-law, who accuses Jacob of stealing his household gods. He is a key figure in Jacob's life, representing a source of both blessing and conflict.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>Jacob's beloved wife, who secretly took her father Laban's household gods, leading to the confrontation in this verse.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/household_gods.htm">Household Gods (Teraphim)</a></b><br>Small idols or figurines that were often used in ancient Near Eastern households for protection or divination. Their theft is central to the conflict between Jacob and Laban.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/paddan-aram.htm">Paddan-aram</a></b><br>The region where Laban lived and where Jacob had spent many years working for him. It is the place Jacob is leaving to return to Canaan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry is not just about physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must examine our hearts for modern-day "idols" that may distract us from our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_and_faith.htm">Family and Faith</a></b><br>Jacob's longing for his father's house represents a desire to return to his roots and the promises of God. We should also seek to align our lives with God's promises and our spiritual heritage.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_relationships.htm">Integrity in Relationships</a></b><br>The conflict between Jacob and Laban highlights the importance of honesty and integrity. As believers, we should strive to resolve conflicts with truth and grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite human actions and conflicts, God's plan prevails. Trusting in God's sovereignty can bring peace in the midst of life's challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Rachel's theft of the household gods serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the restoration of right relationships with God and others.<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/what_are_the_bible's_family_idols.htm">What are the family idols mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_speak_to_idolater_laban.htm">In Genesis 31:24, why would God communicate with Laban if Laban worshipped other gods, and how does this align with other biblical passages about idolatry? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_abraham's_ancestors'_polytheism.htm">Joshua 24:2 – Does any historical or archaeological evidence confirm or contradict claims of Abraham’s forefathers worshipping other gods beyond the Euphrates? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/genesis_31_19__evidence_of_teraphim's_role.htm">In Genesis 31:19, what historical evidence supports the existence or importance of household gods (teraphim), and how does it reconcile with monotheism?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/31-30.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">Now</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have gone off</span><br /><span class="heb">הָלֹ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·lōḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you long</span><br /><span class="heb">נִכְסֹ֥ף</span> <span class="translit">(niḵ·sōp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3700.htm">Strong's 3700: </a> </span><span class="str2">To become pale, to pine after, to fear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for your father’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">house.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבֵ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֥מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have you stolen</span><br /><span class="heb">גָנַ֖בְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḡā·naḇ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1589.htm">Strong's 1589: </a> </span><span class="str2">To thieve, to deceive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my gods?”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/31-30.htm">Genesis 31:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/31-30.htm">OT Law: Genesis 31:30 Now you want to be gone because (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/31-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 31:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/31-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 31:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:31" /></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>