King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:33 Mean?

Genesis 31:33 in the King James Version says “And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. The...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 31:33 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

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.

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. searched: Heb. felt

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.

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he... 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 this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיָּבֹ֖א1 of 17

“and entered”

H935

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

לָבָ֜ן2 of 17

“And Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

בְּאֹ֥הֶל3 of 17

“tent”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

יַֽעֲקֹ֣ב׀4 of 17

“into Jacob's”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

בְּאֹ֥הֶל5 of 17

“tent”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

לֵאָ֔ה6 of 17

“and into Leah's”

H3812

leah, a wife of jacob

בְּאֹ֥הֶל7 of 17

“tent”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

שְׁתֵּ֥י8 of 17

“and into the two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הָֽאֲמָהֹ֖ת9 of 17

“maidservants”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

וְלֹ֣א10 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָצָ֑א11 of 17

“but he found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

וַיֵּצֵא֙12 of 17

“them not Then went he out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בְּאֹ֥הֶל13 of 17

“tent”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

לֵאָ֔ה14 of 17

“and into Leah's”

H3812

leah, a wife of jacob

וַיָּבֹ֖א15 of 17

“and entered”

H935

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

בְּאֹ֥הֶל16 of 17

“tent”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

רָחֵֽל׃17 of 17

“into Rachel's”

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

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 31:33 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 31:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24:28Genesis 24:67

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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