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Genesis 31:1-3
New English Translation
Genesis 31:1-3
New English Translation
Jacob’s Flight from Laban
31 Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were complaining,[a] “Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father! He has gotten rich[b] at our father’s expense!”[c] 2 When Jacob saw the look on Laban’s face, he could tell his attitude toward him had changed.[d]
3 The Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers[e] and to your relatives. I will be with you.”[f]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Genesis 31:1 tn Heb “and he heard the words of the sons of Laban, saying.”
- Genesis 31:1 sn The Hebrew word translated “gotten rich” (כָּבוֹד, kavod) has the basic idea of “weight.” If one is heavy with possessions, then that one is wealthy (13:2). Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph all became wealthy when they left the promised land. Jacob’s wealth foreshadows what will happen to Israel when they leave the land of Egypt (Exod 12:35-38).
- Genesis 31:1 tn Heb “and from that which belonged to our father he has gained all this wealth.”
- Genesis 31:2 tn Heb “and Jacob saw the face of Laban, and look, he was not with him as formerly.” Jacob knew from the expression on Laban’s face that his attitude toward him had changed—Jacob had become persona non grata.
- Genesis 31:3 tn Or perhaps “ancestors” (so NRSV), although the only “ancestors” Jacob had there were his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac.
- Genesis 31:3 sn I will be with you. Though Laban was no longer “with him,” the Lord promised to be.
New English Translation (NET)
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