Genesis 31:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found [them] not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Lavan went into Ya'akov's tent, then into Le'ah's tent and into the tent of the two slave-girls; but he did not find them. He left Le'ah's tent and entered Rachel's tent.

Berean Standard Bible:

So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent.

American Standard Version:

And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two maid-servants; but he found them not. And he went out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Laban^{H3837} went^{H935} into Jacob's^{H3290} tent^{H168}, and into Leah's^{H3812} tent^{H168}, and into the two^{H8147} maidservants^{H519}' tents^{H168}; but he found^{H4672} them not. Then went he out^{H3318} of Leah's^{H3812} tent^{H168}, and entered^{H935} into Rachel's^{H7354} tent^{H168}.

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Commentary for Genesis 31:33

Genesis 31:33 is part of a larger narrative that deals with the themes of deception, family dynamics, and the providence of God within the context of ancient Near Eastern culture. This verse is situated in the account of Jacob's departure from his uncle Laban's household, where Jacob has been living and working for many years. The historical context is the early patriarchal period, where family alliances and the management of flocks and herds were central to survival and prosperity.

In this particular verse, Laban is searching for his household gods, which were small idols believed to confer protection and prosperity upon their owner. These teraphim, as they were called, were likely considered important for inheritance and property rights in the ancient world. The narrative suggests that Laban suspects Jacob of stealing these gods as he prepares to leave, which would have been a serious accusation.

The verse highlights the tension between Laban and Jacob, which has been building due to Jacob's increasing wealth and Laban's changing attitudes towards him. It also reflects the complex relationships within the family, as Jacob is married to Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel, and has children by them and their maidservants. The mention of the tents corresponds to the living quarters of each wife and their respective maidservants, illustrating the polygamous family structure of the time.

Laban's systematic search, beginning with Jacob's tent and proceeding through those of Leah, and the maidservants Bilhah and Zilpah, underscores his desperation and suspicion. The fact that he finds nothing in their tents foreshadows the eventual revelation that it is Rachel, his younger daughter, who has taken the teraphim. This act by Rachel sets the stage for further conflict and resolution in the story, as Jacob and Laban eventually confront each other and make a covenant to part ways peacefully.

In summary, Genesis 31:33 captures a moment of tension and suspicion within a family drama, reflecting the cultural values and practices of the time regarding property, inheritance, and divine protection. It is a pivotal point in the narrative that leads to the separation of Jacob and Laban, and ultimately to Jacob's return to his homeland, which are significant events in the unfolding story of the Israelite 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: H3837
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָבָן
   Transliteration: Lâbân
   Pronunciation: law-bawn'
   Description: the same as לָבָן; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert; Laban.
   
2. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H168
   There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹהֶל
   Transliteration: ʼôhel
   Pronunciation: o'-hel
   Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3812
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵאָה
   Transliteration: Lêʼâh
   Pronunciation: lay-aw'
   Description: from לָאָה; weary; Leah, a wife of Jacob; Leah.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8147
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
   Transliteration: shᵉnayim
   Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
   Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
   
7. Strong's Number: H519
   There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמָה
   Transliteration: ʼâmâh
   Pronunciation: aw-maw'
   Description: apparently a primitive word; a maidservant or female slave; (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant).
   
8. Strong's Number: H4672
   There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָצָא
   Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7354
    There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָחֵל
    Transliteration: Râchêl
    Pronunciation: raw-khale'
    Description: the same as רָחֵל; Rachel, a wife of Jacob; Rachel.