“And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.”
The children uttered in words that which the father dissembled in heart, for the covetous think that whatsoever they cannot snatch, is plucked from them.
“And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. as before: Heb. as yesterday and the day before”
Hebrew, and lo, not be with him, as yesterday, and ere yesterday .
“And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.”
Hebrew, as yesterday and before yesterday . The God whom my father worshipped.
“Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.”
This declareth that the thing, which Jacob did before, was by God’s commandment, and not through deceit. Or, cattle.
“I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.”
Cross references: : Gen. 28:18 This Angel was Christ which appeared to Jacob in Bethel: and hereby appeareth he had taught his wives the fear of God: for he talketh as though they knew this thing.
“Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.”
For they were given to Jacob in recompence of his service, which was a kind of sale.
“And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's. images: Heb. teraphim”
For so the word here signifieth, because Laban calleth them gods, verse 30.
“And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. unawares: Heb. the heart of Laban”
Or, went away privily from Laban.
“And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.”
Or, kinsfolks and friends. Or, joined with him.
“And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?”
Or, conveyed thyself away privily.
“It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.”
Hebrew, power is in mine hand . He was an Idolater, and therefore would not acknowledge the God of Jacob for his God.
“And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.”
Hebrew, let not anger be in the eyes of my Lord .
“That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.”
Hebrew, the torn , or taken by prey . Exod. 22:12
“Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.”
That is, the God whom Isaac did fear, and reverence.
“Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.”
His conscience reproved him of his misbehavior toward Jacob, and therefore moved him to seek peace.
“And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. Jegarsahadutha: that is, The heap of witness, Chaldee Galeed: that is, The heap of witness, Heb.”
Or, the heap of witness. The one named the place in the Syrian tongue, and the other in the Hebrew tongue.
“And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. Mizpah: that is, A beacon, or, watchtower”
Or, watch tower. Or, hid. To punish the trespasser.
“If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.”
Nature compelleth him to condemn that vice, whereunto through covetousness he forced Jacob.
“The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.”
Behold, how the idolaters mingle the true God with their feigned gods. Meaning, by the true God whom Isaac worshipped.
“And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.”
We see that there is ever some seed of the knowledge of God in the hearts of the wicked.