King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:1 Mean?

Genesis 31:1 in the King James Version says “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 o...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 31:1 · KJV

Context

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.

2

And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. as before: Heb. as yesterday and the day before

3

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

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Covenant at Mizpah shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע1 of 19

“And he heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת2 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דִּבְרֵ֤י3 of 19

“the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

בְנֵֽי4 of 19

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

לָבָן֙5 of 19

“of Laban's”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

לֵאמֹ֔ר6 of 19

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָקַ֣ח7 of 19

“hath taken away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב8 of 19

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אֵ֖ת9 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל10 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְאָבִ֔ינוּ12 of 19

“all that was our father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וּמֵֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְאָבִ֔ינוּ14 of 19

“all that was our father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

עָשָׂ֕ה15 of 19

“hath he gotten”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֵ֥ת16 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל17 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכָּבֹ֖ד18 of 19

“all this glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

הַזֶּֽה׃19 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 31:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 31:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 4:4Matthew 4:8Genesis 31:8-9Proverbs 14:30Psalms 49:16-17Jeremiah 9:23

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