Genesis 31:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he heard {H8085} the words {H1697} of Laban's {H3837} sons {H1121}, saying {H559}, Jacob {H3290} hath taken away {H3947} all that was our father's {H1}; and of that which was our father's {H1} hath he gotten {H6213} all this glory {H3519}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But then he heard what Lavan's sons were saying: "Ya'akov has taken away everything that our father once had. It's from what used to belong to our father that he has gotten so rich."

Berean Standard Bible

Now Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken away all that belonged to our father and built all this wealth at our father’s expense.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 31:1 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, signaling the imminent conclusion of his two-decade sojourn with Laban. This verse captures Jacob overhearing the bitter accusations of Laban's sons, who perceive his significant prosperity—acquired through diligent labor and divine blessing—as ill-gotten gains stolen from their father's inheritance, thereby confirming the escalating and untenable animosity within the household.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 31:1 immediately follows a period of intense rivalry and manipulation between Jacob and Laban concerning their flocks and wealth. In [Genesis 30](/genesis/30 "Genesis 30 - Jacob's Family and Flocks"), Jacob's shrewd breeding practices, divinely blessed, led to a dramatic increase in his own possessions, often at Laban's expense, despite Laban's repeated attempts to change Jacob's wages and defraud him. This verse serves as the narrative catalyst, confirming Jacob's suspicions about Laban's changing disposition (implied in [Genesis 31:2](/genesis/31-2 "Genesis 31:2 - Laban's Countenance Changes")) and setting the stage for God's direct command for Jacob to return to his homeland, as revealed in [Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "Genesis 31:3 - God Commands Jacob's Return"). It marks the final straw in a long, complex, and often deceitful relationship, preparing the reader for Jacob's strategic departure.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the patriarchal society of the ancient Near East, wealth was primarily measured in livestock, servants, and land. Inheritance was a crucial aspect of family continuity and economic security, typically passing from father to sons. Laban's sons' accusations reflect a deep concern for their patrimony (`H1 - 'âb`), fearing that Jacob's accumulation of wealth diminished their own future inheritance. The relationship between Jacob and Laban, initially a familial one, had evolved into a quasi-master-servant dynamic, where Jacob, as a dependent, was expected to enrich his patron. However, Jacob's success, divinely ordained, inverted this expectation, leading to resentment. Such disputes over property and inheritance were common and often led to bitter family feuds, making Jacob's departure a necessary, if difficult, decision for his safety and the well-being of his family.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis. It highlights the theme of **Divine Providence Amidst Human Deception**, showing how God orchestrates events and blesses His chosen, even when surrounded by human greed and manipulation. Jacob's prosperity, though perceived as theft by Laban's sons, was a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promise to bless him and make him fruitful, echoing the promises made to Abraham and Isaac. The verse also underscores the theme of **Envy and Resentment**, demonstrating the destructive power of jealousy when one's success is attributed to malicious means rather than divine favor or diligent effort. Furthermore, it advances the theme of **Jacob's Journey and God's Guidance**, as this overheard conversation becomes a critical signpost, prompting Jacob to seek divine direction for his long-awaited return to the Promised Land, a journey that began with God's promise in [Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "Genesis 28:15 - God's Promise to Jacob at Bethel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this term refers to "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." In this context, it signifies not just casual speech but a significant, weighty pronouncement—an accusation that carries serious implications and reveals a deep-seated grievance. It's the "matter" or "affair" that Jacob needed to hear.
* **father's (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** From H1, this word denotes "father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal." Here, it specifically refers to Laban's possessions and inheritance, the "patrimony" that his sons believed Jacob had unjustly acquired, diminishing their own rightful share.
* **glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** From H3519, this word typically means "weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness; glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able)." In Genesis 31:1, "glory" refers to Jacob's substantial material wealth—his flocks, servants, and accumulated possessions—which Laban's sons viewed as ill-gotten "honor" or "splendor" that rightfully belonged to their family. They saw his prosperity as a form of "stolen glory."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes Jacob's passive reception of crucial information. The verb "heard" (H8085, _shâmaʻ_) implies not just auditory perception but also intelligent comprehension and attention, indicating Jacob fully grasped the weight and implication of what was being said. The source of the words—Laban's sons—is significant, as they represent the next generation of Laban's household, whose animosity signals a fundamental shift in the family dynamic.
* **"Jacob hath taken away all that [was] our father's;"**: This is the core accusation. The phrase "taken away" (H3947, _lâqach_) implies an act of appropriation, suggesting theft or unjust acquisition. The sons' claim that Jacob had taken "all" their father's possessions is likely hyperbole, but it vividly conveys their perception that Jacob's prosperity came directly at their family's expense, threatening their inheritance. This reveals their deep-seated resentment and belief that Jacob's gains were not legitimate.
* **"and of [that] which [was] our father's hath he gotten all this glory."**: This second part of the accusation reinforces the first, emphasizing the source of Jacob's wealth. The verb "gotten" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_) can mean "to do or make," implying that Jacob "made" or "acquired" his "glory" (H3519, _kâbôwd_) from their father's resources. The term "glory" here refers to Jacob's substantial material prosperity and elevated status. The sons interpret Jacob's success not as a blessing from God or a result of his labor, but as a direct transfer of their family's wealth and honor to himself, fueling their indignation.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 31:1 employs several literary devices to convey its significance. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the overheard words explicitly signal the impending conflict and Jacob's necessary departure from Laban's household, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow. The accusation itself contains **Hyperbole**, with Laban's sons claiming Jacob took "all" their father's possessions; this exaggeration underscores the depth of their resentment and their skewed perception of Jacob's prosperity. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: Jacob, whose name means "supplanter" and who gained his birthright and blessing through cunning, is now himself accused of "taking away" and "getting" what rightfully belongs to others, albeit in this instance, his prosperity is divinely blessed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 31:1 offers profound theological insights into the nature of divine providence amidst human conflict and the destructive power of envy. It reveals that God's blessings, though often manifesting in material prosperity, can provoke intense jealousy and false accusations from those who lack spiritual discernment. Laban's sons, unable to see God's hand in Jacob's success, attributed his "glory" to theft, highlighting the human tendency to resent God's favor on others. This passage underscores that God works through complex, often strained, human relationships to fulfill His promises, using even the animosity of others as a catalyst to guide His chosen servants into their next season of obedience and blessing.

* [Proverbs 27:4](/proverbs/27-4 "Proverbs 27:4 - The Destructive Power of Envy")
* [Psalm 37:1-2](/psalms/37-1-2 "Psalm 37:1-2 - Trusting God Amidst the Wicked")
* [Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "Genesis 28:15 - God's Promise to Jacob at Bethel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 31:1 serves as a poignant reminder that even when we are faithfully pursuing God's call and experiencing His blessing, we may encounter envy, resentment, and false accusations from others. Jacob's experience teaches us the importance of discerning the spiritual climate around us and recognizing when God may be using difficult circumstances, even hostility, as a sign to move us into a new season or direction. It challenges us to respond not with bitterness or retaliation, but with wisdom, seeking God's guidance and trusting in His unfailing provision. Our true security and "glory" are found not in earthly accumulation, but in our relationship with God, who is our ultimate source of blessing and protection, enabling us to navigate strained relationships and transitions with integrity and faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when my success or blessings are met with envy or false accusations from others?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult relationships or challenging circumstances in my life to prompt me towards a new direction or season?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision, recognizing that true "glory" comes from Him, regardless of how others perceive my life or possessions?**

### FAQ
**What does "all this glory" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Genesis 31:1, the KJV word "glory" translates the Hebrew term *kâbôwd* (H3519). While *kâbôwd* often refers to honor, majesty, or divine splendor, here it specifically denotes Jacob's substantial material wealth, possessions, and elevated status. Laban's sons perceived his accumulated assets—his burgeoning flocks, servants, and other possessions—as "stolen glory" or ill-gotten gain, highlighting their deep resentment over his material success rather than acknowledging God's blessing or Jacob's diligent labor (as described in [Genesis 30:27-43](/genesis/30-27-43 "Genesis 30:27-43 - Jacob's Prosperity and Laban's Deceit")).

**Why were Laban's sons so resentful of Jacob?**

Answer: Laban's sons were resentful because they believed Jacob had unjustly acquired their father's wealth and resources, thereby diminishing their own future inheritance. They saw Jacob's significant prosperity, which had dramatically increased during his service to Laban, as a direct loss to their patrimony. Their accusations of Jacob "taking away all that was our father's" reflect deep-seated envy and a perception of theft, despite Jacob's diligent work and God's clear blessing upon him. This resentment was exacerbated by Laban's own changing attitude towards Jacob, as noted in [Genesis 31:2](/genesis/31-2 "Genesis 31:2 - Laban's Countenance Changes")).

**How did Jacob's prosperity come about?**

Answer: Jacob's prosperity was a result of both his diligent and strategic labor and, more significantly, divine intervention. Despite Laban's repeated attempts to change Jacob's wages and defraud him (documented in [Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Genesis 31:7 - Laban's Changing Wages")), God consistently blessed Jacob's efforts, causing his flocks and wealth to increase dramatically. As Jacob later recounts to his wives in [Genesis 31:9](/genesis/31-9 "Genesis 31:9 - God Has Taken Away Laban's Livestock"), God "has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me." This divine favor was a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Jacob, ensuring his fruitfulness and blessing as he prepared to return to the land of Canaan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 31:1, with its narrative of Jacob being unjustly accused and envied for his divinely-given prosperity, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jacob, though imperfect, foreshadows Christ as one who, through God's favor, accumulates "glory" (in Jacob's case, material wealth; in Christ's, spiritual authority and redemptive power), only to be met with the bitter envy and false accusations of those who reject Him. Just as Laban's sons resented Jacob's "glory" as something "taken away" from their father, so too was Jesus, the true Son and heir of all things, accused by the religious leaders of blasphemy and undermining their authority ([John 10:33](/john/10-33 "John 10:33 - Accusation of Blasphemy")). His divine "glory" was not something He "gotten" by taking from humanity, but rather by giving Himself entirely ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The accusations against Jacob led to his divinely orchestrated "departure" from Laban's household; similarly, the hostility and false accusations against Christ culminated in His crucifixion and ascension—a divinely ordained "departure" from this world ([John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - Jesus' Departure for the Spirit's Coming")). Through His sacrifice, Christ did not "take away" from us but rather "took away" our sin ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and secured for His spiritual household, the Church, an eternal inheritance of true, imperishable "glory" that surpasses all earthly wealth ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 4:4

¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Proverbs 27:4

Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?

Jeremiah 9:23

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Job 31:31

If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

Proverbs 14:30

¶ A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Isaiah 5:14

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Psalms 120:3

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?