Genesis 31:20 - Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away.

Generated Verse: Genesis 31:20

What does "Genesis 31:20" mean?


Genesis 31:20, "Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away," means that Jacob left Laban's household and land secretly, without informing Laban of his intentions.

Here's a breakdown of what the verse conveys:

Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian: This establishes that Jacob intentionally misled Laban. Deception implies Jacob knew what he was doing was against Laban's wishes or what Laban would have expected.
in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away: This specifies the nature of the deception: Jacob's silence. He didn't inform Laban that he was leaving with his wives, children, and possessions. By keeping his departure a secret, Jacob prevented Laban from potentially stopping him or trying to negotiate terms for his departure.

The verse sets the stage for the conflict that arises later in the chapter when Laban discovers Jacob's departure and pursues him. It highlights the strained relationship between Jacob and Laban, which was marked by years of hard labor, unfair treatment, and a desire for Jacob to return to his homeland.

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