Genesis 31:4

4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were.

Genesis 31:4 in Other Translations

4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was

4 So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching his flock.

4 So Jacob sent word for Rachel and Leah to meet him out in the field where his flocks were.

4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

4 So Jacob sent a message to Rachel and Leah to come out to the open country where his flocks were.

4 Jacob had Rachel and Leah called to the field [where] his flocks were.

4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah. He told them to come out to the fields where his flocks were.

Genesis 31:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:4

And Jacob sent
Having this encouragement and direction from the Lord, which seems to have been given him in the field, while he was attending his flocks, he dispatched a messenger home to his wives, one of his servants or under shepherds. The Targum of Jonathan says it was his son Naphtali, whom he sent, because he was a swift messenger; the Targumist alludes to ( Genesis 49:21 ) ; but the former is more probable; and called Rachel and Leah;
Rachel is mentioned first, as being his proper and lawful wife, and is only called so, ( Genesis 46:19 ) ; and it was for her sake Jacob had Leah. Jacob, like a prudent man and an affectionate husband, thought proper to acquaint his wives with his case, and advise with them, and neither leave them nor take them away suddenly and by force; and therefore sent for them, to the field unto his flock;
where he was feeding his flock: this he might do for divers reasons; he might not judge it so proper and convenient to go home to them, since it might be difficult to get one of them to come to the apartment of the other; and it was proper they should be together, and that might cause some suspicion in Laban's family, who might listen to overhear what passed between them; and besides, he might be afraid of Laban and his sons, that being in such an ill temper they would lay violent hands on him, and do him a mischief; and therefore he sent for his wives to him in the field, where they could more privately and freely converse together, without being overheard or interrupted, and the flock in the mean while not neglected.

Genesis 31:4 In-Context

2 And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.

3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”

4 So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were.

5 He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me.

6 You know that I’ve worked for your father with all my strength,