Genesis 31:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then Ya'akov got up, put his sons and wives on the camels,

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Jacob got up and put his children and his wives on camels,

American Standard Version:

Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon the camels;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then Jacob{H3290} rose up{H6965}, and set{H5375} his sons{H1121} and his wives{H802} upon camels{H1581};

Cross-References (KJV):

1 Samuel 30:17

  • And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

Genesis 24:61

  • And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

Genesis 24:10

  • ¶ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

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Commentary for Genesis 31:17

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

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3290
    There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
    Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
    Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
    Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob.
  2. Strong's Number: H6965
    There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קוּם
    Transliteration: qûwm
    Pronunciation: koom
    Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
  3. Strong's Number: H5375
    There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָשָׂא
    Transliteration: nâsâʼ
    Pronunciation: naw-saw'
    Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.
  4. Strong's Number: H1121
    There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּן
    Transliteration: bên
    Pronunciation: bane
    Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
  5. Strong's Number: H802
    There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִשָּׁה
    Transliteration: ʼishshâh
    Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
    Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.
  6. Strong's Number: H1581
    There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גָּמָל
    Transliteration: gâmâl
    Pronunciation: gaw-mawl'
    Description: apparently from גָּמַל (in the sense of labor or burden-bearing); a camel; camel.