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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 />Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, for they set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he was fleeing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean (Syrian) by not telling him that he intended to leave <i>and</i> he slipped away secretly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, not telling him that he was fleeing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, not telling him that he was fleeing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean by not saying that he intended to leave. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jacob also tricked Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was leaving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jacob deceived Laban by not letting him know that he was leaving. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Moreover, Jacob had deceived Laban the Aramean, because he had never told him that he was intending to leave. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jacob also deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was leaving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he intended to flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he was about to depart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Jacob deceives the heart of Laban the Aramean, because he has not declared to him that he is fleeing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Jacob deceiveth the heart of Laban the Aramaean, because he hath not declared to him that he is fleeing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob will steal the heart of Laban the Syrian, for not announcing to him that he broke away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob would not confess to his father in law that he was flying away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Jacob was not willing to confess to his father-in-law that he was fleeing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jacob had hoodwinked Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was going to flee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob deceived Laban, the Aramean, in that he did not tell him that he was going.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yaquuv deceived the heart of Laban the Aramaean because he did not tell him that he was leaving.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, in that he told him not that he fled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob hid <i>the matter from</i> Laban the Syrian, so as not to tell him that he ran away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/31-20.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=7702" 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">Jacob Flees from Laban</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Moreover, Jacob</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/1589.htm" title="1589: way·yiḡ·nōḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To steal. A primitive root; to thieve; by implication, to deceive.">deceived</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ (N-msc) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3837.htm" title="3837: lā·ḇān (N-proper-ms) -- Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob. The same as laban; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert.">Laban</a> <a href="/hebrew/761.htm" title="761: hā·’ă·ram·mî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- An inhab. of Aram (Syria). Patrial from 'Aram; an Aramite or Aramaean.">the Aramean</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1097.htm" title="1097: bə·lî (Adv) -- From balah; properly, failure, i.e. Nothing or destruction; usually without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc.">by not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: hig·gîḏ (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To be conspicuous. ">telling</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/1272.htm" title="1272: ḇō·rê·aḥ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go through, flee. A primitive root; to bolt, i.e. Figuratively, to flee suddenly.">was running away.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>So he fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.…<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/27-35.htm">Genesis 27:35</a></span><br />But Isaac replied, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-36.htm">Genesis 27:36</a></span><br />So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”<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/30-25.htm">Genesis 30:25-26</a></span><br />Now after Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can return to my homeland. / Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-3.htm">Genesis 31:3</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-13.htm">Genesis 31:13</a></span><br />I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-17.htm">Genesis 31:17-18</a></span><br />Then Jacob got up and put his children and his wives on camels, / and he drove all his livestock before him, along with all the possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land in Canaan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Genesis 31:27</a></span><br />Why did you run away secretly and deceive me, without even telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Genesis 31:29</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-42.htm">Genesis 31:42</a></span><br />If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-9.htm">Genesis 32:9-12</a></span><br />Then Jacob declared, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’ / I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps. / Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-5.htm">Exodus 14:5</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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-12.htm">1 Samuel 19:12</a></span><br />So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-1.htm">1 Samuel 20:1</a></span><br />Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my iniquity? How have I sinned against your father, that he wants to take my life?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.</p><p class="hdg">unawares to Laban.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Genesis 31:27</a></b></br> 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?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20</a></b></br> And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/28-5.htm">Aramaean</a> <a href="/genesis/28-5.htm">Aramean</a> <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Deceived</a> <a href="/revelation/13-14.htm">Deceiveth</a> <a href="/genesis/28-15.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/genesis/31-13.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/genesis/16-6.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/genesis/27-43.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/genesis/16-8.htm">Fleeing</a> <a href="/genesis/14-17.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/colossians/2-22.htm">Intended</a> <a href="/genesis/31-17.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Laban</a> <a href="/genesis/30-41.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">News</a> <a href="/genesis/31-26.htm">Outwitted</a> <a href="/genesis/29-13.htm">Running</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Stole</a> <a href="/genesis/28-5.htm">Syrian</a> <a href="/revelation/16-1.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/jude/1-4.htm">Unawares</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Aramaean</a> <a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Aramean</a> <a href="/genesis/31-26.htm">Deceived</a> <a href="/job/13-9.htm">Deceiveth</a> <a href="/genesis/38-13.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/genesis/42-33.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/genesis/31-21.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/genesis/35-1.htm">Fleeing</a> <a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/genesis/31-26.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Intended</a> <a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Laban</a> <a href="/genesis/32-6.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">News</a> <a href="/genesis/31-26.htm">Outwitted</a> <a href="/genesis/33-4.htm">Running</a> <a href="/genesis/31-26.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/exodus/22-4.htm">Stole</a> <a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Syrian</a> <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/genesis/31-26.htm">Unawares</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'; 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This act of deception is part of a larger narrative of conflict and mistrust that began when Jacob first arrived in Paddan Aram. Laban, identified as an Aramean, connects him to the broader region of Aram, which is significant in the ancestral narratives of the patriarchs. The Arameans were a Semitic people, and Laban's identification as such emphasizes the cultural and familial ties between him and Jacob. This deception can be seen as a continuation of Jacob's earlier life, where deceit played a role in obtaining his brother Esau's birthright and blessing (Genesis 27).<p><b>by not telling him that he was running away</b><br>Jacob's decision to leave without informing Laban reflects his fear of confrontation and possible retribution. This action is reminiscent of his earlier flight from Esau, suggesting a pattern in Jacob's life of fleeing difficult situations. The cultural context of the time would have placed significant importance on family ties and obligations, making Jacob's secretive departure a serious breach of social norms. This act of running away without notice can be seen as a lack of trust in God's protection, despite God's promise to be with him (<a href="/genesis/28-15.htm">Genesis 28:15</a>). Jacob's journey back to Canaan is also a fulfillment of God's command to return to the land of his fathers (<a href="/genesis/31-3.htm">Genesis 31:3</a>), indicating a divine purpose behind his actions, even if the method was flawed.<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 brother of Esau. Jacob is a central figure in Genesis, known for his complex relationship with God and his family. In this passage, he is fleeing from his father-in-law, Laban.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban_the_aramean.htm">Laban the Aramean</a></b><br>Jacob's father-in-law, who is from Aram (modern-day Syria). Laban is known for his cunning and deceitful behavior, which he previously displayed in his dealings with Jacob.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/deception.htm">Deception</a></b><br>The act of misleading or tricking someone. In this context, Jacob deceives Laban by leaving without informing him, which is a significant turning point in their relationship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/running_away.htm">Running Away</a></b><br>Jacob's decision to leave Laban's household marks a pivotal moment in his life, as he seeks to return to his homeland and reconcile with his brother Esau.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/paddan-aram.htm">Paddan-aram</a></b><br>The region where Laban lived and where Jacob spent many years working for him. It is significant as the place of Jacob's long sojourn away from his family.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_deception.htm">The Consequences of Deception</a></b><br>Deception often leads to broken relationships and mistrust. Jacob's decision to deceive Laban reflects a recurring theme in his life, which ultimately requires reconciliation and repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_timing.htm">Trusting God's Timing</a></b><br>Jacob's impatience and fear led him to take matters into his own hands. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and provision rather than resorting to deceitful means.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a></b><br>Living with integrity means being honest and transparent in our dealings with others. Jacob's account serves as a reminder of the value of integrity in maintaining healthy relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_despite_human_failure.htm">God's Faithfulness Despite Human Failure</a></b><br>Despite Jacob's flaws, God remains faithful to His promises. This encourages believers to rely on God's grace and faithfulness, even when they fall short.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reconciliation_and_forgiveness.htm">Reconciliation and Forgiveness</a></b><br>Jacob's eventual reconciliation with Esau highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness and mending broken relationships.<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/why_are_the_arameans_significant.htm">What is the historical significance of the Arameans?</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/why_no_laban_pursuit_in_genesis_33.htm">Why is there no mention of repercussions or pursuit from Laban, despite prior tensions, when Jacob meets Esau in Genesis 33?</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>(20) <span class= "bld">Jacob stole away unawares.</span>--<span class= "ital">Heb., stole the heart. </span>But the heart was regarded by the Hebrews as the seat of the intellect, and so <span class= "ital">to steal a man's understanding, </span>like the similar phrase in Greek, means to elude his observation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian,</span> - literally, <span class="accented">stole the heart of Laban the Syrian</span>, he deceived his mind and intelligence, like <span class="greek">κλέπτειν</span> <span class="greek">νόον</span>, Horn., ' II.,' 14. 227 (el. vers. 26, 27); hence - <span class="greek">ἔκρυψε</span> (LXX.); so Calvin, Rosenmüller, Keil, Gesenius, and others. Lange fancifully understands by the heart of Laban which Jacob stole either Laban's daughters or his favorite Rachel Gerlach contrasts Jacob's stealing with that of Rachel, in which Jacob, had no part. The exact import of Jacob s stealing is declared by the words that follow - <span class="cmt_word">in that he told him not</span> (Lunge and Bush interpret <span class="hebrew">הִגֹּיִד</span> impersonally, as signifying in that or because it was not told; but in this among expositors they stand alone) <span class="cmt_word">that he fled.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/31-20.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">Moreover, Jacob</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲקֹ֔ב</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">deceived</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּגְנֹ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḡ·nōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third 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">Laban</span><br /><span class="heb">לָבָ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḇān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3837.htm">Strong's 3837: </a> </span><span class="str2">Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Aramean</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֲרַמִּ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·ram·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_761.htm">Strong's 761: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aramean -- an inhabitant of Aram (Syria)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by not</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> </span><span class="str2">Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as</span><br /><br /><span class="word">telling</span><br /><span class="heb">הִגִּ֣יד</span> <span class="translit">(hig·gîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</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">he</span><br /><span class="heb">הֽוּא׃</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was running away.</span><br /><span class="heb">בֹרֵ֖חַ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇō·rê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1272.htm">Strong's 1272: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bolt, to flee suddenly</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/31-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 31:20 Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian in that (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/31-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 31:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/31-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 31:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:21" /></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>