(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
Then Ya'akov got up, put his sons and wives on the camels,
Then Jacob got up and put his children and his wives on camels,
Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon the camels;
Then Jacob{H3290} rose up{H6965}, and set{H5375} his sons{H1121} and his wives{H802} upon camels{H1581};
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Guidance and Providence:** Jacob's decision to leave is influenced by a divine command (Genesis 31:3), reflecting the theme of God guiding His people in their journeys and decisions.
- **Family and Loyalty:** The emphasis on Jacob setting his sons and wives on camels illustrates the importance of family unity and his role as a protector and provider.
- **Flight and New Beginnings:** This verse marks the beginning of Jacob's flight from Laban, signifying a transition and the pursuit of a new beginning away from a contentious situation.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Period (circa 2000-1500 BCE):** The events of Genesis, including Jacob's life, are set in the context of the early Hebrew patriarchs, a time when the ancestors of the Israelite people were establishing their identity and relationship with God.
- **Nomadic Lifestyle:** The use of camels reflects the nomadic lifestyle common in the ancient Near East, where families and their possessions were transported by such animals.
- **Family Dynamics and Wealth:** Jacob's departure comes after a period of working for his father-in-law, Laban, during which he increased his wealth through strategic breeding of livestock (Genesis 30:25-43). This sets the stage for the tension between Jacob and Laban, leading to Jacob's decision to return to his native land with his family and possessions.
- **Covenant Relationship:** Jacob's journey is part of the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which promises land and descendants to these patriarchs. Jacob's return to Canaan is a step towards fulfilling this covenant.
In summary, Genesis 31:17 captures the themes of divine guidance, family loyalty, and the pursuit of new beginnings within the historical context of the patriarchal period, characterized by nomadic lifestyles, complex family dynamics, and the foundational covenant relationship between God and the Hebrew patriarchs.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)