King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:18 Mean?

Genesis 31:18 in the King James Version says “And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotte... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Genesis 31:18 · KJV


Context

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.

17

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

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.

19

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

20

And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. unawares: Heb. the heart of Laban


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting... 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. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיִּנְהַ֣ג1 of 21

And he carried away

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

אֶת2 of 21
H853

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

כָּל3 of 21
H3605

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

מִקְנֵה֙4 of 21

all his cattle

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

וְאֶת5 of 21
H853

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

כָּל6 of 21
H3605

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

רְכֻשׁוֹ֙7 of 21

and all his goods

H7399

property (as gathered)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 21
H834

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

רָכַ֖שׁ9 of 21

which he had gotten

H7408

to lay up, i.e., collect

מִקְנֵה֙10 of 21

all his cattle

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

קִנְיָנ֔וֹ11 of 21

of his getting

H7075

creation, i.e., (concretely) creatures; also acquisition, purchase, wealth

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 21
H834

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

רָכַ֖שׁ13 of 21

which he had gotten

H7408

to lay up, i.e., collect

בְּפַדַּ֣ן14 of 21
H0
אֲרָ֑ם15 of 21

in Padanaram

H6307

paddan or paddan-aram, a region of syria

לָב֛וֹא16 of 21

for to go

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל17 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִצְחָ֥ק18 of 21

to Isaac

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

אָבִ֖יו19 of 21

his father

H1

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

אַ֥רְצָה20 of 21

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנָֽעַן׃21 of 21

of Canaan

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him


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 31:18 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 31:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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