Genesis 31:2

31:1 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.

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

KJV

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Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.

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

31:3 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

What does Genesis 31:2 mean?

Genesis 31:2 is a verse in the book of Genesis, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb), רָאָה (râʼâh), פָּנִים (pânîym). It connects to 8 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

And

JacobיַעֲקֹבYaʻăqôb/yah-ak-obe'/H3290Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch

beheldרָאָהrâʼâh/raw-aw'/H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

the

countenanceפָּנִיםpânîym/paw-neem'/H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)

Laban,לָבָןLâbân/law-bawn'/H3837Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert

and,

behold,

was

not

toward

him

asתְּמוֹלtᵉmôwl/tem-ole'/H8543properly, ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or day before yesterday

before.שִׁלְשׁוֹםshilshôwm/shil-shome'/H8032trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday

before:

Heb.

yesterday

and

the

day

before

Commentary on Genesis 31:2

HENRY_FULL · Genesis 31:2

ss, very hard usage he met with there, and now is going back surrounded with fears. Here is, I. His resolution to return, ver. 1-16 . II. His clandestine departure, ver. 17-21 . III. Laban's pursuit of him in displeasure, ver. 22-25 . IV. The hot words that passed between them, ver. 26-42 . V. Their amicable agreement at last, ver. 43 , &c.). Jacob's Departure. ( b. c. 1739.) 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

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 4:5

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 30:27

And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Exodus 4:10

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. eloquent: Heb. a man of words heretofore: Heb. since yesterday, nor since the third day

Deuteronomy 19:4

And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past; in: Heb. from yesterday the third day

Deuteronomy 28:54

So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:

1 Samuel 18:9

And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

1 Samuel 19:7

And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past. in times: Heb. yesterday, third day

Daniel 3:19

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. full: Cald. filled

Topics

Laban

People & places in this verse

People

Jacob Laban

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Genesis 31:2.

1 Chronicles 11:2

And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel. in time: Heb. both yesterday and the third day feed: or, rule

1 Samuel 21:5

And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. yea: or, especially when this day there is other sanctified in the vessel

2 Samuel 3:17

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: in times: Heb. both yesterday and the third day

Deuteronomy 19:4

And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past; in: Heb. from yesterday the third day

Deuteronomy 19:6

Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past. slay: Heb. smite him in life in: Heb. from yesterday the third day

Deuteronomy 4:42

That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:

Exodus 5:14

And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?

Genesis 31:5

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.

Frequently asked questions

What does Genesis 31:2 say?

Genesis 31:2 (King James Version) reads: "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"

Is Genesis 31:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Genesis 31:2 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Genesis.

Who wrote the book of Genesis?

The book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses.

Reflect

As you read Genesis 31:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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