Genesis 31:14

KJV

And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, [Is there] yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Rachel {H7354} and Leah {H3812} answered {H6030} and said {H559} unto him, Is there yet any portion {H2506} or inheritance {H5159} for us in our father's {H1} house {H1004}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Rachel and Le'ah answered him, "We no longer have any inheritance from our father's possessions;

Berean Standard Bible

And Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we have any portion or inheritance left in our father’s house?

American Standard Version

And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 31:14 captures the pivotal moment when Rachel and Leah, with profound disillusionment, unequivocally declare their allegiance to Jacob. Their rhetorical question about lacking any portion or inheritance from their father Laban serves as a powerful indictment of his exploitative character and a decisive affirmation of Jacob's divinely guided plan to depart, marking a critical shift in familial loyalty and the trajectory of God's covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately after Jacob's private meeting with Rachel and Leah in the field, where he recounts Laban's repeated deceptions regarding his wages and, more importantly, God's direct intervention and command to return to the land of his fathers [Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God Commands Jacob's Return"). Jacob explicitly tells them of the angel of God's appearance and the divine blessing upon his flocks despite Laban's schemes [Genesis 31:10-12](/genesis/31-10-12 "Jacob's Dream and God's Promise"). Rachel and Leah's response in [Genesis 31:14](/genesis/31-14 "Rachel and Leah's Disillusionment") is not just a personal grievance but a full endorsement of Jacob's divinely sanctioned departure, solidifying the family's united front against Laban's oppressive control and preparing the narrative for their clandestine escape.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, daughters typically received a dowry (mohar) upon marriage, which often served as their share of the family inheritance or secured their financial future. This dowry was usually paid by the groom to the bride's father. Laban, however, had effectively "sold" his daughters to Jacob, demanding fourteen years of labor for them instead of providing a dowry. As [Genesis 31:15](/genesis/31-15 "Laban's Sale of His Daughters") explicitly states, "For he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money." This meant Rachel and Leah had been denied their customary rights and treated as commodities, with no expectation of receiving any "portion" or "inheritance" from Laban's household upon his death or their departure. Their statement reflects a deep understanding of their cultural disenfranchisement and Laban's profound injustice.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 31:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **divine providence** and **God's faithfulness** to His covenant promises, as He works through human injustice (Laban's exploitation) to bring about His purposes for Jacob and his family, leading them back to the promised land. The verse also underscores the theme of **familial conflict and reconciliation**, depicting the brokenness within Laban's family and setting the stage for the eventual, though strained, reconciliation between Jacob and Laban. Furthermore, it emphasizes the **shift in allegiance** from one's birth family to the new family unit formed through marriage, particularly in the context of God's unfolding plan for a chosen lineage. The wives' loyalty to Jacob, despite the hardships, is crucial for the continuation of the patriarchal narrative, echoing the call to Abraham to leave his father's house for a new inheritance [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God Calls Abram").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **portion (Hebrew, _chêleq'_):** From the root meaning "to divide" or "to allot," this word refers to a share, part, or allotment, often in the sense of an inheritance or a designated share of property or spoils. Rachel and Leah's use of _chêleq_ here signifies their recognition that Laban had withheld their rightful share of his wealth, treating them as if they had no claim to his patrimony, which was a significant cultural injustice.
* **inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** This term denotes something inherited, an heirloom, or an estate passed down through generations. It carries a strong sense of permanent possession and legacy. By denying them any _nachălâh_, Laban had effectively disinherited his daughters, severing their traditional ties to his household's future wealth and security, reinforcing their status as exploited rather than cherished family members.
* **father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** This is a fundamental word for a progenitor, head of a family, or source. In this context, _ʼâb_ refers to Laban, their biological father. The wives' rhetorical question implies a profound betrayal of the paternal role, as a father was expected to provide for his children, especially his daughters, ensuring their security. Laban's failure to act as a true _ʼâb_ in this regard underscores his greed and lack of familial affection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him":** This clause establishes the immediate response of Jacob's wives to his detailed account of Laban's treachery and God's command to return to Canaan. Their joint answer signifies their unity and shared perspective, indicating a collective decision and a decisive shift in their allegiance from their birth family to their husband and his divinely appointed mission. The phrasing emphasizes their active participation and agreement.
* **"Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, not seeking information but expressing a stark reality and profound disillusionment. It reveals their understanding that Laban had completely disinherited them, treating them as mere property rather than beloved daughters deserving of a share in his wealth or a dowry. Their words are a bitter indictment of Laban's character, highlighting his greed and the injustice he had inflicted upon them, which fully aligns their interests with Jacob's desire to depart.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in this verse is a **Rhetorical Question**. Rachel and Leah's inquiry, "Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?", is not posed to elicit information, but to emphatically convey their conviction that the answer is a resounding "No." This device powerfully underscores their utter disenfranchisement and their deep-seated grievance against Laban. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** present; a father's house was traditionally a place of security and provision, yet for Rachel and Leah, it had become a place of exploitation and denial of their rightful heritage. Their statement also carries **Symbolism**, as "father's house" represents not just a physical dwelling but the entire patriarchal lineage, its wealth, and its protective authority, all of which Laban had failed to provide for his own daughters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty over human injustice, showing how He can orchestrate even the most egregious acts of exploitation (Laban's treatment of his daughters) to further His divine plan and bring about His purposes for His chosen people. Rachel and Leah's disinheritance by their earthly father paradoxically aligns them with Jacob's divinely commanded journey, emphasizing that true security and blessing come from God's faithfulness, not from earthly patrimony. Their longing for a "portion" foreshadows the greater spiritual inheritance God provides for His children, an inheritance that transcends material wealth and familial ties.

* [Psalm 37:18](/psalms/37-18 "The Lord Knows the Days of the Upright")
* [Psalm 16:5](/psalms/16-5 "The Lord is My Chosen Portion")
* [Deuteronomy 10:9](/deuteronomy/10-9 "The Lord is Their Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The poignant question posed by Rachel and Leah in [Genesis 31:14](/genesis/31-14 "Rachel and Leah's Disillusionment") resonates deeply with the human experience of injustice and the search for belonging and security. It reminds us that even within the closest family bonds, brokenness and betrayal can occur. For believers today, this narrative underscores the importance of discerning where our true "portion" lies. When earthly sources of security, whether familial or financial, prove unreliable or exploitative, our ultimate trust must be placed in God, who is our unfailing provider and protector. It challenges us to examine our allegiances: are we seeking our inheritance in worldly possessions and human relationships, or in the eternal promises and divine provision of our Heavenly Father? This passage encourages us to align ourselves with God's will, even when it means departing from familiar but broken structures, trusting that He will lead us to our true home and secure our lasting inheritance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily seek my security and "inheritance" in life – in earthly provisions or in God's faithfulness?**
* **How does the injustice faced by Rachel and Leah encourage me to trust God's sovereignty even when I experience betrayal or unfairness?**
* **In what ways might God be calling me to shift my allegiances from broken earthly systems or relationships to His divine plan and purposes?**

### FAQ

**Why did Rachel and Leah feel they had no inheritance from their father Laban?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern society, it was customary for daughters to receive a dowry (mohar) or a share of their father's estate, often through their husband, to ensure their financial security and status. However, Laban had exploited Jacob by demanding fourteen years of labor for his daughters, effectively "selling" them instead of providing a dowry. As Rachel and Leah themselves state in [Genesis 31:15](/genesis/31-15 "Laban's Sale of His Daughters"), "For he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money." This meant that Laban had already extracted full value for his daughters through Jacob's service, leaving them with no remaining claim or expectation of wealth, property, or security from their father's household. Their rhetorical question highlighted this profound injustice and their complete disenfranchisement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The yearning for a true "portion or inheritance" expressed by Rachel and Leah finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While they were disinherited by an earthly father who valued profit over family, believers are adopted into the very family of God through the atoning work of Christ, becoming "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ"). Jesus is not merely a means to an inheritance; He *is* our inheritance, our secure and unfading portion that no human injustice or earthly betrayal can diminish [Colossians 1:12](/colossians/1-12 "Inheritance in Light"). Through Him, we are brought into a new household, the Church, the family of God, where we receive every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ") and are guaranteed an eternal inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "A Living Hope"). Christ's sacrifice ensures that we, unlike Rachel and Leah in their earthly circumstances, are never disinherited but are eternally secure in the abundant provision of our Heavenly Father.

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

Genesis 2:24

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Ruth 4:11

And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

Genesis 29:29

And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.

Genesis 29:24

And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid [for] an handmaid.