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And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/31-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_31_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 31:34 - Laban Pursues Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now Rachel had taken Laban's household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. 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Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Rachel had taken the household idols and hidden them in her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. When Laban had thoroughly searched her tent without finding them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel’s saddle and sat on them. Laban felt all about the tent, but did not find them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found <i>them</i> not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find <i>them.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel’s saddlebag, and she sat on them. So Laban searched through all the tent, but did not find <i>them.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel&#8217s saddle, and she sat on them. And Laban felt through all the tent but did not find them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel’s saddle, and she sat on them. And Laban felt through all the tent, but did not find <i>them.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel’s saddle, and she sat on them. And Laban felt through all the tent but did not find <i>them</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel’s saddlebag and sat on them. Laban searched through all her tent, but did not find them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of the camel, and sat on them. Laban searched the whole tent but found nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken Laban&#8217s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of the camel, and sat on them. Laban searched the whole tent but found nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, and put them in the camel's saddle, and sat upon them. And Laban felt about all the tent, but found them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />She had already hidden them in the cushion she used as a saddle and was sitting on it. Laban searched everywhere and did not find them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban felt about all the tent, but found them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Rachel had taken the idols and had put them in her camel's saddle-bag and was sitting on them. Laban rummaged through the whole tent but found nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in a camel's saddlebag and was sitting on them. Laban searched through the whole tent, but did not find them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Rachel had taken the idols, placed them inside the saddle of her camel, and sat on them. Laban searched through the whole tent, but found nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken Laban?s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />(Now Rachel had taken the idols and put them inside her camel's saddle and sat on them.) Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the idols, put them in the camel?s saddle, and sat on them. Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt around all the tent, but didn’t find them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Rachel has taken the teraphim, and puts them in the furniture of the camel, and sits on them; and Laban feels all the tent, and has not found;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Rachel hath taken the teraphim, and putteth them in the furniture of the camel, and sitteth upon them; and Laban feeleth all the tent, and hath not found;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Rachel took the family gods, and she will put them in the camel's saddle and will sit upon them. And Laban will feel all the tent, and he found not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />She in haste hid the idols under the camel's furniture, and sat upon them: and when he had searched all the tent, and found nothing, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />she quickly hid the idols under the camel’s bedding, and she sat upon them. And when he had searched the entire tent and found nothing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Meanwhile Rachel had taken the household images, put them inside the camel’s saddlebag, and seated herself upon them. When Laban had rummaged through her whole tent without finding them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt all about in the tent, but did not find them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's saddle bag, and sat upon them. And Laban had searched all the tent, but did not find them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Rakhyl had taken the images and she set them in the saddle canopy of the camel and she sat upon them, and Laban searched the whole tent and he did not find them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, and put them in the saddle of the camel, and sat upon them. And Laban felt about all the tent, but found them not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Rachel took the idols, and cast them among the camel's packs, and sat upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/31-34.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=7823" 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">33</span>So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. <span class="reftext">34</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7354.htm" title="7354: wə·rā·ḥêl (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- A wife of Jacob. The same as rachel; Rachel, a wife of Jacob.">Now Rachel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: lā·qə·ḥāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">had taken</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/8655.htm" title="8655: hat·tə·rā·p̄îm (Art:: N-mp) -- (a kind of idol) perhaps household idol. Plural from rapha'; a healer; Teraphim a family idol.">Laban’s household idols,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: wat·tə·śi·mêm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs:: 3mp) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">put them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3733.htm" title="3733: bə·ḵar (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- From karar in the sense of plumpness; a ram, including a battering-ram; hence, a meadow; also a pad or camel's saddle.">in the saddlebag</a> <a href="/hebrew/1581.htm" title="1581: hag·gā·māl (Art:: N-ms) -- A camel. Apparently from gamal; a camel.">of her camel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: wat·tê·šeḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">and was sitting</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on them.</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.">And Laban</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/4959.htm" title="4959: way·maš·šêš (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To feel, grope. A primitive root; to feel of; by implication, to grope.">searched</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">everything</a> <a href="/hebrew/168.htm" title="168: hā·’ō·hel (Art:: N-ms) -- A tent. From 'ahal; a tent.">in the tent</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mā·ṣā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">but found</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nothing.</a> </span><span class="reftext">35</span>Rachel said to her father, “Sir, do not be angry that I cannot stand up before you; for I am having my period.” So Laban searched, but could not find the household idols.…<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/35-2.htm">Genesis 35:2-4</a></span><br />So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments. / Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.” / So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.<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="/joshua/24-14.htm">Joshua 24:14</a></span><br />Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-13.htm">1 Samuel 19:13</a></span><br />Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-16.htm">1 Samuel 19:16</a></span><br />And when the messengers entered, there was the idol in the bed with the goat hair on its head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">2 Kings 23:24</a></span><br />Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8</a></span><br />Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-1.htm">Isaiah 46:1-2</a></span><br />Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal. / The gods cower; they crouch together, unable to relieve the burden; but they themselves go into captivity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Jeremiah 10:5</a></span><br />Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”<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/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12</a></span><br />My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Zechariah 10:2</a></span><br />For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.<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/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-20</a></span><br />Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat on them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.</p><p class="hdg">had taken.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-17.htm">Genesis 31:17,19</a></b></br> Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels; … </p><p class="hdg">furniture.</p><p class="hdg">searched.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/11-33.htm">Basket</a> <a href="/genesis/24-64.htm">Camel</a> <a href="/genesis/31-17.htm">Camels</a> <a href="/mark/1-6.htm">Camel's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-37.htm">Explored</a> <a href="/genesis/27-22.htm">Feeleth</a> <a href="/genesis/27-22.htm">Felt</a> <a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Find</a> <a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Found</a> <a href="/acts/27-19.htm">Furniture</a> <a href="/genesis/31-32.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Images</a> <a href="/genesis/25-22.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Laban</a> <a href="/genesis/24-9.htm">Putteth</a> <a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-20.htm">Saddle</a> <a href="/genesis/21-16.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-10.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/revelation/2-23.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/genesis/27-19.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/revelation/21-5.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/genesis/23-10.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Teraphim</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/40-17.htm">Basket</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-4.htm">Camel</a> <a href="/genesis/32-7.htm">Camels</a> <a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">Camel's</a> <a href="/numbers/13-21.htm">Explored</a> <a href="/genesis/27-22.htm">Feeleth</a> <a href="/genesis/31-37.htm">Felt</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Find</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Found</a> <a href="/genesis/45-20.htm">Furniture</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Images</a> <a href="/genesis/39-11.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Laban</a> <a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Putteth</a> <a href="/genesis/33-1.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/leviticus/15-9.htm">Saddle</a> <a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/genesis/43-33.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/exodus/11-5.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/exodus/18-14.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/genesis/32-13.htm">Tent</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Teraphim</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 Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols</b><br>Rachel's act of taking the household idols, or "teraphim," reflects the cultural and religious practices of the time. These idols were often used for divination and were considered symbols of household authority and inheritance rights. Rachel's motivation might have been to secure her family's future or to prevent Laban from using them against Jacob. This act also highlights the ongoing struggle between monotheism and polytheism in the patriarchal narratives.<p><b>put them in the saddlebag of her camel</b><br>The use of camels indicates the wealth and status of Jacob's family, as camels were valuable assets in ancient Near Eastern societies. Saddlebags were practical for long journeys, suggesting that Rachel was preparing for a significant departure. This action also demonstrates Rachel's cunning and resourcefulness in hiding the idols, reflecting the tension and mistrust between her and Laban.<p><b>and was sitting on them</b><br>Rachel's decision to sit on the idols can be seen as a deliberate act to conceal them from Laban. In the cultural context, sitting on something could imply ownership or control. This act also introduces a layer of irony, as the idols, which were supposed to provide protection and blessing, are rendered powerless and hidden under Rachel's seat.<p><b>And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing</b><br>Laban's thorough search underscores his suspicion and determination to retrieve the idols, which he likely viewed as essential for his household's prosperity and spiritual well-being. The fact that he found nothing highlights the futility of relying on idols and contrasts with the protection and providence offered by the God of Jacob. This incident foreshadows the eventual triumph of Jacob's God over the false gods of the surrounding cultures.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>The wife of Jacob and daughter of Laban, who took her father's household idols.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a></b><br>Rachel's father, who was searching for his household idols.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>Rachel's husband, who was unaware of her actions.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/household_idols.htm">Household Idols (Teraphim)</a></b><br>Small idols or figurines that were often used for divination or as household gods in ancient Near Eastern cultures.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/camel's_saddlebag.htm">Camel's Saddlebag</a></b><br>The place where Rachel hid the idols, symbolizing concealment and deception.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry can subtly infiltrate our lives, often hidden in the "saddlebags" of our hearts. We must be vigilant in identifying and removing anything that takes the place of God in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/deception_and_its_consequences.htm">Deception and Its Consequences</a></b><br>Rachel's deception serves as a warning about the consequences of dishonesty. Deception can lead to broken trust and spiritual compromise.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_leadership.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>Jacob's eventual call to purify his household (Genesis 35) underscores the role of spiritual leaders in guiding their families away from idolatry and towards God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>While Laban could not find the idols, God sees all. This reminds us that nothing is hidden from God, and we are accountable to Him for our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influences.htm">Cultural Influences</a></b><br>Rachel's attachment to the household idols reflects the cultural influences that can impact our faith. We must discern and resist cultural practices that conflict with our commitment to God.<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_teraphim.htm">What are teraphim?</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><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/what_are_the_bible's_family_idols.htm">What are the family idols mentioned in the Bible?</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>(34) <span class= "bld">The camel's furniture.--</span>That is, the camel's saddle. It is now made of wicker-work, and is protected by curtains and a canopy. Probably Rachel's was far simpler; and as the teraphim seem to have had heads shaped like those of a man, and dwarf bodies, they would easily be crammed under it.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 34.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now Rachel had taken the images</span> (teraphim), <span class="cmt_word">and put them in the camel's furniture,</span> - the camel's furniture was not <span class="accented">stramenta cameli</span> (Vulgate), "the camel's straw" (Luther), but the camel's saddle (LXX., Onkelos, Syriac, Calvin, Rosenmüller, Keil, and others), here called <span class="hebrew">כּר</span>, from <span class="hebrew">כָּרַר</span>, an unused root signifying either to go round in a circle, hence to run (Gesenius), or to be firmly wound together, hence to be puffed up as a bolster (Furst). The woman's riding-saddle was commonly made of wicker-work and had the appearance of a basket or cradle. It was usually covered with carpet, and protected against wind, rain, and sun by means of a canopy and curtains, while light was admitted by openings in the side (cf. Gesenius, sub <span class="accented">voce</span>; Kalisch <span class="accented">in loco</span>). "That which is now customary among the Arabs consists of a large closed basket-work, with a place for sitting and reclining, and a window at the side; one of this kind hangs on each side of the camel" (Gerlach) - <span class="cmt_word">and sat upon them.</span> "To us the picture of Rachel seated upon the camel furniture is true to life, for we have often seen its counterpart. The saddle-bags and cushions which were to be set upon the camel lay piled on the floor, while she sat upon them (Van Lennep, quoted by Inglis, p. 254). <span class="cmt_word">And Laban searched</span> - the word means to feel out or explore with the hands (cf. <a href="/genesis/27-12.htm">Genesis 27:12</a>; <a href="/job/12-25.htm">Job 12:25</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">all the tent, but found them not.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/31-34.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 Rachel</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרָחֵ֞ל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rā·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7354.htm">Strong's 7354: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rachel -- a wife of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had taken</span><br /><span class="heb">לָקְחָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(lā·qə·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine 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">Laban’s household idols,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַתְּרָפִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(hat·tə·rā·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8655.htm">Strong's 8655: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a kind of idol) perhaps household idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">put</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּשִׂמֵ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·śi·mêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them in the saddlebag</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3733.htm">Strong's 3733: </a> </span><span class="str2">A ram, a, battering-ram, a meadow, a pad, camel's saddle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of her camel,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגָּמָ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gā·māl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1581.htm">Strong's 1581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A camel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and was sitting</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּ֣שֶׁב</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·šeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on them.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And Laban</span><br /><span class="heb">לָבָ֛ן</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">searched</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְמַשֵּׁ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(way·maš·šêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4959.htm">Strong's 4959: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feel of, to grope</span><br /><br /><span class="word">everything</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the tent</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֹ֖הֶל</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ō·hel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_168.htm">Strong's 168: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but found</span><br /><span class="heb">מָצָֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/31-34.htm">Genesis 31:34 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/31-34.htm">OT Law: Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim put (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/31-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 31:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/31-35.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 31:35"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:35" /></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>