King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:35 Mean?

Genesis 31:35 in the King James Version says “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 u...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 31:35 · KJV

Context

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.

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?

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. searched: Heb. felt

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the ... 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 does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 21

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִ֗יהָ3 of 21

“to her father”

H1

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

אַל4 of 21
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִ֙חַר֙5 of 21

“Let it not displease”

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

בְּעֵינֵ֣י6 of 21
H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

אֲדֹנִ֔י7 of 21

“my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

כִּ֣י8 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

ל֤וֹא9 of 21
H3808

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

אוּכַל֙10 of 21

“that I cannot”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לָק֣וּם11 of 21

“rise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

מִפָּנֶ֔יךָ12 of 21

“before thee”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כִּי13 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

דֶ֥רֶךְ14 of 21

“for the custom”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

נָשִׁ֖ים15 of 21

“of women”

H802

a woman

לִ֑י16 of 21
H0
וַיְחַפֵּ֕שׂ17 of 21

“is upon me And he searched”

H2664

to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask

וְלֹ֥א18 of 21
H3808

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

מָצָ֖א19 of 21

“but 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

אֶת20 of 21
H853

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

הַתְּרָפִֽים׃21 of 21

“not the images”

H8655

teraphim (singular or plural) a family idol

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 31:35 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 31:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 19:32Exodus 20:12Leviticus 19:31 Peter 2:18Ephesians 6:11 Peter 3:6

Test Your Knowledge

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

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