Bible Commentaries

glory. Hebrew weight. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 = wealth, the effect (i.e. the burden or weight) being put for that which caused it.

as before. Hebrew yesterday and the day before. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), = aforetime.

your father: repeated at beginning of next verse by the Figure of speech Anadiplosis.

suffered him not. Figure of speech Idioma. Hebrew did not give him to do me evil.

hurt. Hebrew. ra"a". See App-44.

angel of God (Hebrew. Elohim). In Genesis 31:13 called by Himself, "I am the God of Beth-el", El of Beth-el. Compare Genesis 28:12, Genesis 28:13, and Genesis 48:16.

cattle. Compare Psalms 50:10.

vowedst a vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton, App-6= madest a solemn vow.

Is there yet, &c. ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

images. Hebrew. teraphim, a kind of household gods, showing that the idolatry of Babylonia still clung to Laban's family, in spite of his protestations in Genesis 31:20; Genesis 30:27. Compare Genesis 31:30; Genesis 35:2.

unawares to Laban. Hebrew stole the heart. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6, heart being put for knowledge. Compare Genesis 31:27. Rachel stole Laban's idols; and Jacob stole Laban's heart.

the river = the Euphrates. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Genus).

Gilead = perpetual fountain. Compare Numbers 32:1, Numbers 32:39. Deuteronomy 3:12-16; Deuteronomy 34:1.

brethren. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, one relationship put for a general one.

good or bad. Hebrew from good to bad.

with mirth. Laban adds hypocrisy, covetousness, and avarice, to idolatry.

sons. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Species), sons put for grandsons, &c.

hand. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), hand put for the whole person, "in my power".

you and your are plural. God of your father. In Genesis 30:27, Genesis 30:30, Laban had spoken of the LORD = Jehovah; now he has sunk so low as to say" your" God, and calls the teraphim "my gods".

sore longedst. Hebrew with longing thou hast longed. Figure of speech Polyptoton.

my gods. Compare on Genesis 31:29.

let him not live. This was in strict accordance with the Code of Khammurabi (9), but in contrast with the Mosaic law. See App-15.

Rachel. Repeated by the Figure of speech Anadiplosis. Hebrew "tent of Rachel, and Rachel had taken. "

furniture = saddle.

searched = felt [with his hands].

Rachel. Repeated by the Figure of speech Anadiplosis. Hebrew "tent of Rachel, and Rachel had taken. "

furniture = saddle.

searched = felt [with his hands].

my lord. Hebrew the eyes of my lord. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6.

custom. Laban's deceit begets deceit.

twenty. The No. of disappointed expectancy. See App-10.

my hand. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), hand put for "me". Compare Genesis 31:29.

Thus I was. Figure of speech Ellipsis = "Thus (wherever) I was".

droughts heat. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), effect put for the burning heat which caused it. Contrast with cold produced by the frost.

my sleep. The Eastern shepherd often away from home for weeks at a time.

the fear. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct). App-6, fear put for the God Whom Jacob worshipped.

with me = on my side. Psalms 118:6, Psalms 118:7.

make. Hebrew cut (Compare Genesis 15:10, Genesis 15:18) = solemnize.

pillar. Compare Genesis 28:18.

eat: i.e. of the covenant sacrifices. Compare Genesis 26:30. Exodus 24:5, Exodus 24:11.

Jegar-sahadutha. Chaldaic = witness-heap.

Mizpah. Hebrew watch-tower.

he. i.e. Laban. So that he knew Hebrew as well as Chaldee.

the LORD. Laban also uses the name Jehovah. It is used by all the speakers in Genitive except the Nachash (Genesis 3), Abimelech (when speaking to Abram, not to Isaac), the sons of Heth, Pharaoh, Joseph's brethren, and Joseph himself.

absent. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6= Hebrew hidden, put for absent.

pillar. Distinct from the "heap". Compare Genesis 31:45, Genesis 31:46.

offered sacrifice = killed beasts. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct).

sons. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part). Put for grandsons as well.

daughters. Also for granddaughters. The second vision, corresponding with that of Bethel: See Genesis 28:10-22.