Genesis 31:1-55

Genesis 31:1-55

Genesis 31:1-55

1. And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.

1. Postea audivit verba filiorum Laban dicentium, Tulit Iahacob omnia quae erant patris nostri: et de his quae erant patris nostri, acquisivit omnem gloriam hanc.

2. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.

2. Et vidit Iahacob faciem Laban, et ecce non erat cum eo sicut heri et nudiustertius.

3. And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

3. Dixit autem Iehova ad Iahacob, Revertere ad terram patrum tuorum, et ad cognationem tuam, et ero tecum.

4. And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

4. Et Misit Iahacob, et vocavit Rachel et Leah in agrum ad pecudes

5. And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.

5. Qui dixit ad eas, Video faciem patris vestri, quod non sit erga me sicut heri et nudiustertius: Deus autem patris mei fuit mecum.

6. And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.

6. Et vos nostis, quod omnibus viribus meis servierim patri vestro:

7. And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.

7. At pater vester mentitus est mihi, et mutavit mercedem meam decem vicibus: sed non permisit ei Deus, ut malefaceret mihi.

8. If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.

8. Si ita dicebat, Punctis parvis respersa erunt merces tua: pariebant omnes pecudes punctis parvis respersa: et si ita dicebat, Lineis distincta erunt merces tua: tunc pariebant omnes pecudes lineis distincta.

9. Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.

9. Et abstulit Deus pecus patris vestri, et dedit mihi.

10. And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

10. Et fuit, in tempore quo coibant pecudes, levavi oculos meos, et vidi in somnio, et ecce hirci majores ascendebant super capras variegatas, punctis parvis respersas, et maculis latis respersas.

11. And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

11. Et dixit ad me Angelus Dei in somnio, Iahacob. Et dixi, Ecce adsum.

12. And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

12. Et dixit, Leva nunc oculos tuos, et vide omnes hircos majores ascendentes super capras lineis distinctas, punctis parvis respersas, et maculis latis respersas: vidi enim omnia, quae Laban facit tibi.

13. I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

13. Ego Deus Bethel, ubi unxisti statuam, ubi vovisti mihi votum: nunc surge, egredere de terra hac, et revertere ad terram cognationis tuae.

14. And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?

14. Et respondit Rachel at Leah, et dixerunt ei, Numquid adhuc est nobis pars et haereditas in domo patris nostri?

15. Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.

15. Nonne extraneae reputatae sumus ab eo, quod vendidit nos, et consumpsit etiam consumendo argentum nostrum?

16. For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

16. Quia omnes divitiae, quas abstulit Deus a patre nostro, nostrae sunt, ac filiorum nostrorum: nunc igitur omnia, quae dixit Deus ad to, fac.

17 Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;

17. Et surrexit Iahacob, et sustulit filios suos et uxores suassuper camelos.

18. And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

18. Et abduxit omnes pecudes suas, et omnem substantiam suam, quam acquisierat, pecudes acquisitionis suae, quas acquisierat in Padan Aram, ut veniret ad Ishac patrem suum in terram Chenaan.

19. And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.

19. Laban autem profectus erat ad tondendum oves suas, et furata est Rachel idola, quae erant patri suo.

20. And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.

20. Furatus itaque est Iahacob cor Laban Aramaei, quia non indicavit ei quod fugeret.

21. So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

21. Et fugit ipse, et omnia quae erant ei: et surrexit, et transivit flumen, posuitque faciem suam ad montem Gilhad.

22. And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

22. Et nuntiatum fuit ipsi Laban die tertia, quod fugeret Iahacob.

23. And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days’ journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

23. Tunc sumpsit fratres suos secum, secutusque est eum itinere septem dierum, et assecutus est eum in monte Gilhad.

24. And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

24. Porro venit Deus ad Laban Aramaeum in somnio noctis, et dixit ei, Cave tibi ne forte loquaris cum Iahacob a bono usque ad malum.

25. Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.

25. Assecutus autem est Laban ipsum Iahacob: et Iahacob fixerat tabernaculum suum in monte, et Laban fixit cum fratribus suis in monte Gilhad.

26. And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?

26. Et dixit Laban ad Iahacob, Quid fecisti, et furatus es cor meum, et abduxisti filias meas sicut captivas gladio?

27. 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?

27. Utquid abscondisti to ut fugeres? et furatus es me, et non indicasti mihi, et dimisissem to cum laetitia et canticis, cum tympano et cithara.

28. And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.

28. Et non permisisti mihi, ut oscularer filios meos et filias meas: nunc stulte egisti sic faciendo.

29. It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

29. Est fortitudo in manu mea ad inferendum vobis malum: sed Deus patris vestri nocte praeterita dixit ad me, dicendo, Cave tibi ne loquaris cum Iahacob a bono usque ad malum.

30. And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

30. Et nunc eundo ivisti: si desiderando desirabas ire ad domum patris tui, utquid furatus es deos meos?

31. And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

31. Et respondit Iahacob, et dixit ad Laban, Quia timui, si dixissem, ne forte raperes filias tuas a me.

32. With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

32. Is, cum quo inveneris deos tuos non vivat coram fratribus nostris, agnosce si quid est apud me de tuo, et cape tibi: nesciebat autem Iahacob, quod Rachel furata esset eos.

33. And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.

33. Et venit Laban in tabernaculum Iahacob, et in tabernaculum Leah, et in tabernaculum ambarum ancillarum, et non invenit: et egressus de tabernaculo Lea, venit in tabernaculum Rachel.

34. 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.

34. Rachel autem acceperat idola, et posuerat ea in clitellis cameli, et sedebat super ea: et contrectavit Laban totum tabernaculum, et non invenit.

35. And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.

35. Et dixit ad patrem suum, Ne sit ira in oculis domini mei, quod non possim surgere a facie tua: quia consuetudo mulierum est mihi: et scrutatus est, et non invenit idola.

36. And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

36. Tunc iratus est Iahacob, et jurgatus est cum Laban: et respondit Iahacob, et dixit ad Laban, Quae est praevaricatio mea, quod peccatum meum, quod persecutus es me?

37. Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.

37. Quando contrectasti omnem supellectilem meam, quid invenistiex omni supellectili domus tuae? pone hic coram fratribus meis et fratribus tuis, et declarent inter nos ambos.

38. This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

38. Iam viginti annos fui tecum; oves tuae et caprae non abortiverunt: et arietes pecudum tuarum non comedi.

39. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.

39. Raptum non attuli tibi, ego poenas luebam pro eo: de manu mea requirebas illud, quod furto ablatum erat tam die quam nocte.

40. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

40. Ita fui ut interdiu consumeret me aestus, et gelu in nocte, et recedebat somnus meus ab oculis meis.

41. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

41. Iam mihi sunt viginti anni in domo tua: servivi tibi quatuordecim annos pro duabus filiabus tuis, et sex annos pro pecudibus tuis, et mutasti mercedem meam decem vicibus.

42. Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

42. Nisi Deus patris mei, Deus Abraham, et pavor Ishac fuisset pro me, certe nunc vacuum dimisisses me: afflictionem meam et laborem manuum mearum vidit Deus, et increpavit to nocte praeterita.

43. And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

43. Tunc respondit Laban, et dixit ad Iahacob, Filiae, filiae meae sunt: et filii, filii mei sunt: et pecudes meae sunt: et quicquid vides, meum est: et filiabus meis quid faciam istis hodie, vel filiis earum quos pepererunt?

44. Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

44. Et nunc, veni, percutiamus foedus ego et tu, et erit in testimonium inter me et inter to.

45. And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.

45. Tulit itaque Iahacob lapidem, et erexit illum in statuam.

46. And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.

46. Et dixit Iahacob fratribus suis, Colligite lapides: et tulerunt lapides, et fecerunt cumulum, et comederunt ibi super cumulum.

47. And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.

47. Et vocavit eum Laban Jegar Sahadutha: Iahacob autem vocavit eum Galhed.

48. And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

48. Et dixit Laban, Cumulus iste sit testis inter me et to hodie. Idcirco vocavit nomen ejus Galhed,

49. And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

49. Et Mispah: quia dixit, Speculetur Iehova inter me et to, quando latebimus alter alterum.

50. If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.

50. Si afflixeris filias meas, et si acceperis uxores super filias meas, non est quisquam nobiscum, vide, Deus est testis inter me et to.

51. And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;

51. Dixit ergo Laban ad Iahacob, Ecce, cumulus iste, et ecce statua, quam jeci inter me et to.

52. This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

52. Testis cumulus iste, et testis statua, quod ego non transibo veniens ad to cumulum istum, et statuam istam, ad malum.

53. The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

53. Deus Abraham et Deus Nachor judicet inter nos, Deus patris eorum: et juravit Iahacob per pavorem patris sui Ishac.

54. Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

54. Et mactavit Iahacob victimam in monte, et vocavit fratres suos, ut comederent panem: et comederunt panem, et pernoctaverunt in monte.

55. And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

55. Et surrexit Laban mane, et osculatus est filios suos ac filias suas, benedixitque eis, et abiit: et reversus est Laban ad locum suum.

1. And he heard the words. Although Jacob ardently desired his own country, and was continually thinking of his return to it; yet his admirable patience appears in this, that he suspends his purpose till a new occasion presents itself. I do not, however, deny, that some imperfection was mixed with this virtue, in that he did not make more haste to return; but that the promise of God was always retained its his mind will shortly appear. In this respect, however, he showed something of human nature, that for the sake of obtaining wealth he postponed his return for six years: for when Laban was perpetually changing his terms, he might justly have bidden him farewell. But that he was detained by force and fear together, we infer from his clandestine flight. Now, at least, he has a sufficient cause for asking his dismissal; because his riches had become grievous and hateful to the sons of Laban: nevertheless he does not dare openly to withdraw himself from their enmity, but is compelled to flee secretly. Yet though his tardiness is in some degree excusable, it was probably connected with indolence; even as the faithful, when they direct their course towards God, often do not pursue it with becoming fervor. Wherefore, whenever the indolence of the flesh retards us, let us learn to fan the ardor of our spirits into a flame. There is no doubt that the Lord corrected the infirmity of his servant, and gently spurred him on as he proceeded in his course. For if Laban had treated him kindly and pleasantly, his mind would have been lulled to sleep; but now he is driven away by adverse looks. So the Lord often better secures the salvation of his people, by subjecting them to the hatred, the envy, and the malevolence of the wicked, than by suffering them to be soothed with bland address. It was far more useful to holy Jacob to have his father-in-law and his sons opposed, than to have them courteously obsequious to his wishes; because their favor might have deprived him of the blessing of God. We also have more than sufficient experience of the power of earthly attractions, and of the ease with which, when they abound, the oblivion of celestial blessings steals over us. Wherefore let us not think it hard to be awakened by the Lord, when we fall into adversity, or receive but little favor from the world; for hatred, threats, disgrace, and slanders, are often more advantageous to us than the applause of all men on every side. Moreover, we must notice the inhumanity of Laban’s sons, who complain throughout as if they had been plundered by Jacob. But sordid and avaricious men labor under the disease of thinking that they are robbed of everything with which they do not gorge themselves. For since their avarice is insatiable, it follows of necessity that the prosperity of others torments them, as if they themselves would be thereby reduced to want. They do not consider whether Jacob acquired this great wealth justly or unjustly; but they are enraged and envious, because they conceive that so much has been abstracted from them. Laban had before confessed, that he had been enriched by the coming of Jacob, and even that he had been blessed by the Lord for Jacob’s sake; but now his sons murmur, and he himself is tortured with grief, to find that Jacob also is made a partaker of the same blessing. Hence we perceive the blindness of avarice which can never be satisfied. Whence also it is called by Paul the root of all evil; because they who desire to swallow up everything must be perfidious, and cruel, and ungrateful, and in every way unjust. Besides, it is to be observed that the sons of Laban, in the impetuosity of their younger years, give vent to their vexation; but the father, like a cunning old fox, is silent, yet betrays his wickedness by his countenance.

3. And the Lord said unto Jacob. The timidity of the holy man is here more plainly seen; for he, perceiving that evil was designed against him by his father-in-law, still dared not to move a foot, unless encouraged by a new oracle. But the Lord, who, by facts, had shown him already that no longer delay was to be made, now also urges him by words. Let us learn from this example, that although the Lord may incite us to duty by adversity, yet we shall thereby profit little, unless the stimulus of the word be added. And we see what will happen to the reprobate; for either they become stupefied in their wickedness, or they break out into fury. Wherefore, that the instruction conveyed by outward things may profit us, we must ask the Lord to shine upon us in his own word. The design, however, of Moses chiefly refers to this point, that we may know that Jacob returned to his own country, under the special guidance of God. Now the land of Canaan is called the land of Abraham and Isaac, not because they had sprung from it; but because it had been divinely promised to them as their inheritance. Wherefore, by this voice the holy man was admonished, that although Isaac had been a stranger, yet, in the sight of God, he was the heir and lord of that land, in which he possessed nothing but a sepulcher.

4. And Jacob sent. He sends for his wives, in order to explain to them his intention, and to exhort them to accompany him in his flight; for it was his duty as a good husband to take them away with him; and therefore it was necessary to inform them of his design. And he was not so blind as to be unmindful of the many dangers of his plan. It was difficult to convey women, who had never left their father’s house, to a remote region, by an unknown journey. Moreover, there was ground to fear lest they, in seeking protection for themselves, might betray their husband to his enemies. The coverage of many would so far have failed them, in such a state of perturbation, that they would have disregarded conjugal fidelity, to provide for their own safety. Jacob, therefore, acted with great constancy in choosing rather to expose himself to danger than to fail in the duty of a good husband and master of a family. If his wives had refused to accompany him, the call of God would have compelled him to depart. But God granted him what was far more desirable, that his whole family, with one consent, were prepared to follow him: moreover, his wives, with whose mutual strifes his house before had rung, now freely consent to go with him into exile. So the Lord, when in good faith we discharge our duty, and shun nothing which he commands, enables us to succeed, even in the most doubtful affairs. Further, from the fact that Jacob calls his wives to him into the field, we infer what an anxious life he led. Certainly it would have been a primary convenience of his life, to dwell at home with his wives. He was already advanced in age, and worn down with many toils; and therefore he had the greater need of their service. Yet satisfied with a cottage in which he might watch over his flock, he lived apart from them. If, then, there had been a particle of equity in Laban and his sons, they would have found no cause for envy.