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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - Genesis 31:20 - 31:20
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Heb. Stole away the heart of Laban, to wit, his daughters, his cattle, and his gods, upon which his heart was vehemently set, as Micah’s was, Jud_18:24. But if this had been meant, it had been imputed to Rachel, and not to Jacob, who knew nothing of the gods. Or rather, stole away from the heart, & c., the Hebrew eth being put for meeth, as Gen_4:1 49:25 1Ki_8:43, compared with 2Ch_6:33 Mic_3:8, i.e. without the knowledge and consent of Laban, which sense is confirmed by the words next following, and by Gen_31:26,27, and by the like use of the phrase, 2Sa_19:3. Thus he fled, because he knew Laban’s selfish, and unrighteous, and cruel disposition, that he would always hinder him from departing, either by fraudulent pretences or by open force, nor suffer so great a diminution in that estate, which he thought one time or other he might in good measure recover to himself.