Genesis 31:18

18 and he drove away all his livestock, all the property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 31:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:18

And he carried away all his cattle
His sheep, camels, and asses: the Jews say F25 he had 5,500 head of cattle: and all the goods which he had gotten:
all the rest besides his cattle; his menservants, and maidservants, and all his gold and his silver, and whatsoever else he had: the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram:
or Mesopotamia: this seems to be purposely observed, to show that he took nothing but what was his own getting, not anything that belonged to Laban: for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan;
but it was some years before he got to his father's house, staying at several places by the way. No mention is made of his mother Rebekah, she perhaps being now dead.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Pirke Eliezer, c. 37. fol. 41.

Genesis 31:18 In-Context

16 All the property that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children; now then, do whatever God has said to you."
17 So Jacob arose, and set his children and his wives on camels;
18 and he drove away all his livestock, all the property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.
20 And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.