Genesis 31:1-21

Jacob's Flight. This section is, for the most part, from E, Genesis 31:1; Genesis 31:3 are from J, Genesis 31:18 (after cattle) from P.

Jacob realises from the words of Laban's sons (J) and the altered demeanour of Laban himself (E) that his enrichment at Laban's expense is deeply resented. Yahweh also bade him return (J). To his wives he complains of the treatment he has received from their father, which God has nevertheless overruled for his advantage, the God of Bethel who is now summoning him home. They side with Jacob, embittered by Laban's meanness in giving them no part of the bride-price (mg.). So, with their warm encouragement, he sets out with family, flocks, and property, outwitting Laban, who was sheep-shearing. Rachel, without Jacob's connivance (Genesis 31:32), also stole Laban's teraphim (p. 101), thus securing the family luck. They crossed the Euphrates (mg.) and headed towards the hill-country of Gilead.

Genesis 31:7. The difference between this and the representation in Genesis 30:31 darkens the obscurity which already invests that passage. Here the representation is that Laban kept changing the conditions, finding, to his mortification, that every arrangement turned to Jacob's profit.

Genesis 31:20. the heart (mg.): the understanding.